Need help for Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree
A K
7 years ago
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Help! Root fungus on Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree
Comments (13)I can't say whether or not it's mealybugs or fungus, but I did want to chime in. Not all fungi are bad. In fact our rainforests wouldn't be able to exist if it weren't for the fungi that break down dead organic matter and recycle the nutrients back into the ecosystem. That's why archaeologists have discovered entire petrified forests from our ancient past. Because all of these massive trees had no way of decaying back down into reusable nutrients. These ancient trees just lingered there for so long that they eventually petrified into stone. It wasn't until many millions of years later, when fungi were able to evolve and take up their role in recycling dead organic matter back into our environment. For the longest time, orchid growers could never get their orchids' microscopic seeds to germinate. They would just sprinkle the very fine orchid seed "dust" down close to the parent plants' roots and just hope for the best. It wasn't until a botanist figured out that they needed a specific fungus to "infect" the seeds and get them to germinate. After that discovery, orchid growing and hybridization essentially exploded onto the market. Now we have literally hundreds of thousands of hybrids, with ever more newer varieties being introduced all of the time. All thanks to the symbiotic relationship between orchids and their beneficial fungi. I've found fungi growing in many of my plants in the past. And not once do I ever remember any of them being adversely affected from it. In fact, it always seemed to be quite the opposite. My plants were/are doing great. And from what I can tell, your Fiddle Leaf fig seems to be doing great as well, and doesn't seem stressed out at all....See MoreI have a Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree and need advice.
Comments (5)Hi Dave, thanks, but not sure what site you are referring to. My daughter is a reluctant plant person. She's a very busy person and doesn't make time to learn about a plant's needs. She was given this Fig tree by a friend who was moving and didn't want to take it with her. She likes the way it looks and was willing to water it on a schedule, once a week to remember to do it. Beyond that, it's like pulling teeth. [g]. I've already returned it to her, so it's not my responsibility any more. But that reminds me, I'm going to have to send her some more information on that Fig Tree, so thanks for linking to that thread. Funny story, the Fig Tree had three main branches, two of which were stronger than the third. But the third branch just happened to be the middle upright branch and the two strong branches were sprawling out on either side. When my daughter was retrieving the plant, she was moving into a new apartment that was a little smaller than the last and she didn't think the Fig Tree was going to fit. I had no room to keep it. So she had the bright idea of just lopping off the side branches to leave the one main branch in the middle. I was pretty horrified. lol. And while I was objecting and explaining why I objected, she was busy looking for the pruning shears. In two minutes she had both those branches off the tree. I could barely watch. And believe it or not, she was right. It looked much better. She moved it into the new apartment and it just works great. So, I will pass along the link, but she's on her own with her fig tree again. :-)...See MoreFiddle Leaf Fig Tree in serious distress, HELP!
Comments (4)Miracle Grow Moisture Control, like all "moisture control" potting mixes, are a disaster waiting to happen. They are terrible for most house plants and especially terrible for epiphytes and semi-epiphytic plants like ficuses. Read Tapla's Growing Ficus Trees in Containers post before you do anything, keeping in mind that you're about to do a major repot to save the tree. You need to do repot into 5-1-1 or equal parts reptibark, perlite, and good quality (non-MG) potting mix. Use a garden hose to get down to the bare roots and use pruning shears to cut any roots with visible rot (black marks). Clean your shears with an alcohol soaked cotton ball afterward so you don't transfer the pathogen to other plants. You're probably going to lose more leaves. There are some good posts on how to prune. Cutting the leaves in half so that you're left with an arrowhead shaped leaf decreases the strain on the roots while still allowing the leaf to photosynthesize. If you could tell us generally where you are, that would help in terms of climate & strength of the sun. I'm in south Texas, which is its own special set of growing conditions. If you're in higher northern latitudes, this is not the best time of year for this...but your root rot situation looks dire enough to risk it. To save the tree, you really need to get it out of the moisture control sludge and into a fast-draining, bark and perlite based mix ASAP. Again, before you start, take the time to read up on Ficus Trees in Containers, paying attention to what epiphytic plants need to survive and hopefully thrive. Then you'll know what you need to do to provide the right light, potting mix, and water for your tree. (The Growing Ficus in Containers posts will also tell you when to fertilize. This is super important so that you don't burn the roots.) In the future, water by skewer/chopstick, not calendar. Push the skewer all the way to the bottom. When the it comes out dry, water thoroughly. Good luck....See MoreFiddle Leaf Fig Tree Help
Comments (2)The plant looks to be across the room from a window, that’s definitrly not considered plenty of light to a Ficus. I’d get it right up in front of a window. Thats not the cause of the brown spots. It could have or had an infestation....See MoreA K
7 years agotapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
7 years agoA K
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7 years agoNeed2SeeGreen 10 (SoCal)
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7 years agoDave
7 years agoNeed2SeeGreen 10 (SoCal)
7 years agoA K
7 years agoA K
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7 years agotapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
7 years agoA K
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Dave