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Fiddle Leaf Fig help

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Hi everyone

I recently bought a FLF from a nursery, I wiped it down and noticed mealybugs present in the leaf nodes. I believe I removed as much as I can, pretty bummed though that I bought a FLF that was already infested. As it's been about a month now, my plant is deteriorating, the edge of my leaves are brown and curling up. I also noticed these scale like patches spread on the underside of the leaf. Does anyone know what the problem is and what I can do to save my plant?

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Comments (4)

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
It's oedema. a physiological disorder that can affect all plants. It occurs when the
plant takes up more water than it can rid itself of via the process of transpiration. In
afflicted plants, internal water pressure (turgidity) can become so high that some
leaf cells rupture or cell contents leak into inter-cellular spaces in leaf
tissue. Oedema is most often driven by excessive water retention in the soil,
but cool temperatures, high humidity levels, low light conditions, or partial
defoliation can individually or collectively be additional contributors, as can
anything else that slows transpiration. As well, nutritional deficiencies of Ca
and Mg are known contributors to the malady. Symptoms vary by plant, but can
include wet or weepy areas on the foliage, blisters that turn from white or tan
to dark brown or black, then gradually turn corky/ scaly/ ridged, and
wart-like or gall-like bumpy growth.

Al
Christine H
7 years ago
Hi Al, I've had a Fiddle Leaf Fig for several months now, and it only recently developed new growth within the past few days. However, the two new leaves already have brown spots, and the smaller one also has tiny holes where some of the the spots are located. Do you know what could have caused this? These are the first new leaves the FLF has grown, so I'm worried all the new leaves will look like this. I've checked for pests (didn't find any) and have been using Dyna Pro Neem Oil just in case.
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treeswithknees
7 years ago
Hi Christine H, did you ever find the cause/remedy for this? My fiddle leaf is going through the same. Thanks!
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
7 years ago
It's not uncommon for leaves that open during the cool/dry (low humidity) months to come out spotted and/or deformed. If the picture is current, you should be able to move your plant outdoors soon and defoliate it almost entirely. The leaves that regrow will be pristine and perfectly adapted to the light level under which they emerge. If you decide you want to chase that idea a bit, make sure you take a moment to understand Why that works and what to expect.

I never fret about a spoiled leaf because I look at all leaves as temporary assets. I often defoliate plants partially or completely, on purpose, to balance the plant's energy flow between the branches and/or to limit the plant's ability to produce energy so the internodes are shorter and leaves more numerous but smaller, both of which produce a fuller and more compact plant.

Al

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