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Need help with my shedding Ficus

6 years ago

We purchased this ficus tree at a nursery about a month ago (it was very healthy looking there). Since bringing it home and repotting, it's dropping leaves like crazy! I know some dropping is normal at first, but we are going on one month. This is how I am caring for the tree-

its potted in well draining soil, watering when top layer of soil is dry.

In room with semi direct sunlight. Average temp of room is high 60's. we live in northerb Maine. Some days it a little warmer in that room but not boiling, never cooler than 60.

no obvious fungus or bugs. As I said , it was beautiful upon purchase, started dropping literally within two days or repotting I used miracle grow potting soil

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Comments (5)

cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Ficus benjamina is notorious for dropping leaves anytime it is moved. Put it outside for the summer and you get leaf drop. Move it in for the winter you get leaf drop. Move it to a different room you get leaf drop.

It's a very resilient plant- keep the conditions consistent and it will be fine.

Double check that you did not bury it too deeply- you should be able to just barely see the area where trunk/s transition to roots. Pull that soil away from the base until you find that area and make sure air can get to it.
Gwen
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks! It's very worrisome to see it drop so many leaves for so long ! I'll check the soil.
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First of all, relax - it's a plant, not your grandmother :-). You yourself gave a giant clue in that you water too often (it's not about the amount, but how often, in relation to how much of the soil is dry, or whether it's a bad peaty mix and holds water forever rather than a gritty mix that drains fast, plus whether you let the pot wick up drain water from the saucer, which should be wide, with at least 1" sides and full of stones on which the pot can sit out of the water (which should otherwise be kept just below the stones' tops all the time - much more effective for humidity than twice weekly or even daily sprays, which literally do nothing at all. Get your tree in the best light all day that you can, only water when more than less of the soil is dry, when it's feeling better, repot into a mostly grit and perlite mix, with only a little soil, and for now use a mild house plant fungicide (such as No Damp - tiny brown bottle) according to the label directions - one time, and give it time to recover.
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First, this section is for edible figs. Youd be better off in the houseplants section. I grow a few ficus Benjamina so I'll see if I can help. First, why did you prune it this way in the first place? It's very awkward shaped and would take a bit of work to make it look nice again. Were the branches dying or was it getting too large? Your tree looks to be getting open shade and no direct sun. They can grow this way, but will definitely grow a little more leggy. Your plant isn't dropping, it's just growing downward. Hence one of this trees nicknames the "weeping fig." when is the last time you repotted? How did you go about doing so? how often do you water? How often do you fertilize and with what? your tree doesn't appear to be unhealthy at all, it just appears awkward due to the pruning method. one of mine is branded just like yours. Only I've kept it pruned into the tree shape.
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
6 years ago
transport shock ...

and you said you repotted.. so double stress ...

if you put it outside.. full bright shade ...

it is s houseplant for most of us.. and there is a houseplant forum ... though you are more than welcome here ...

what do you mean.. you water when the surface is dry.. insert finger into the soil.. and find out moisture inside .... shall we presume there is a drain hole in that pretty pot???

ken
Gwen
Original Author
6 years ago
I wasn't sure where to post this.. I saw "trees" so this is where the post landed lol. Yes, there is a drainage hole. And yes, I put my finger down in an inch or so before watering. I'm a far better outdoor gardener than indoor so this is why I'm a little paranoid I'm successfully killing this poor ficus!
ghostlyvision
6 years ago
I had a braided ficus for years, since we live in Texas I kept it on the balcony year-round, they can be a little temperamental about leaf drop but recover just fine. Remember its whole world is in that pot so a little balanced fertilizer every now and again won't hurt it, keep the dirt from getting compacted so the roots get enough oxygen and repot it in a larger pot when it outgrows the one it's in. And water as needed, of course. Enjoy, they're really a pretty plant with nice bright glossy leaves and cool trunk. :)

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