OK - let's pick a single branch to be our apex (top) and eliminate some of those downward growing branches that don't contribute to a natural tree image. Are you coming into a period of strong growth or do plants pretty much grow like crazy for you all year? ;-) Can you take pictures from 4 sides so I can get some depth perspective & a better feel for where the branches are? Have you repotted recently? That will make a big difference in growth rate if roots are presently tight. How cool is this? ..... remote bonsai. ;-) Congratulations on your new upcoming status as a grandmother, too! I know you're excited! TTYS. Al

Rhizo and Al, Thanks much for your observations. I realize it's more difficult to diagnose a plant problem without an image.. I'll try to remedy that if I can move the ficus somewhere out in the open for a better photo. Right now, it's situated under a grove of young live oak trees in dappled sunlight.Container is sitting directly on the ground under the trees. No collection saucer. There was no evidence of poor drainage in the pot after the rain (ie: puddles of water or muddy soil). Last repot was done almost a year ago last fall before I brought the ficus in for the winter. In reply to your questions, Al: Last fertilizer applied was in late June. Before that, fertilized in mid-March after moving it outside from it's winter home indoors. Usually fertilize one more time before I move it inside around the end of October. I use 3 TB water soluble Miracle Grow in 5 gal. bucket of water. The watering schedule has been consistent. With temps in the 100's + for the past 65 days, it was necessary to hand water all my container plants at least every other day (the small containers had to get water every day). The foliage on the ficus in question is dark green and shiney. New leaflets emerging on the tips of branches are bright green. No visible change in the plant was noted until the morning immediately after the heavy rain storm. The well lignified branches (four central trunks-)each one inch in diameter were also drooping to the ground; but no broken branches. Last but not least, because the ficus almost completely fills the large container...there's not even enough room for a cat (much less a larger animal) to do his business inside the pot. This was an overnight occurance which is what makes it seem so strange. Since I may never solve the mystery, my next question might be: What can I do to remedy the situation? Prune, repot, or something else? Thanks again for all your help.

Your tree is in steep decline because it's being asked to tolerate cultural conditions at or beyond what it's genetically programmed to tolerate. I'm guessing it's probably been potted up to a larger size pot several times, but never truly been repotted, which includes root pruning and a complete change of soil. If that's the case, root congestion would undoubtedly be severely limiting, as the limitations associated with it begin at about the time the root/soil mass can be lifted from the pot intact. It's possible that, by this time, there is calcified soil in the center of the root mass that might be so hardened a chisel would be required to remove it - no way to tell until you get a look at the roots. Other potential issues that would be much closer to expected than suspected, would be a soil with a badly skewed ratio of nutrients in it, and a high level of dissolved solids (salts) in the soil/soil solution. The badly compacted center of the root/soil mass is probably limiting the ability of both plant and soil to absorb water, and limiting the root system's oxygen supply, which is a key factor in making available the energy that drives root function. There's little doubt that it can be saved, but it'll be a chore, and something I'd probably start planning to do in June ..... if you live in the northern hemisphere. Lots more to talk about, but I'll wait to hear what you have to say. Al

About a week in open shade should be good. Like a spot that doesn't have any obstructions overhead and gets full ambient light from the sky, but no direct sun. Then, after a week, stick it in direct sun for an hour and then place it back into open shade. The next day put it in direct sun for two hours and then back in open shade. Keep doing that until it's in full sun all day long and you shouldn't lose a single leaf.