"I'm guessing the pot is so large that I've been overwatering the tree and also not flushing it when I water. Is this he reason the leaves are turning brown?" It sounds like the foliage that's in the process of being shed is part of the plant's drought response due to too much water in the soil. Too much water = not enough oxygen to drive the O2 dependent process of water uptake = not enough water getting to distal parts of the plant (leaves - particularly tips and margins) = shedding in response. The yellowing is a result of the lack of chlorophyll that is being salvaged (along with mobile nutrients and other bio compounds) by the plant from leaves being shed. "..... what should the dowel rod look like when it needs to be watered? Should it be completely dry at the bottom of the rod and not pick up any of the dirt?" When the dowel first comes out clean and dry, it's time to water. I'd work toward getting watering under control, then follow the instructions in the thread I left a link to above to turn the plant around. There are some things you can do to help avoid limitations associated with saturated media. You're sure to have other questions, so don't be shy about voicing them. We all want you to have the best growing experience you possibly can. Al

I did not remove any of the previous soil or prune the the roots, just broke them up a little. I sized up about an inch in diameter from the pot it came in. At first I was watering at most once a week or when the top 2 inches of soil was dry, but it definitely dried out when I left for vacation (the top growth was wrinkled) so I watered it then and haven't since. I don't know if I should change out the soil again...I don't know how disruptive that will be to the fiddle. EDIT: I was also misting the leaves once a day. I had read on other websites that they liked that, but have stopped since reading other posts on this forum. Do you think the spots could be from excess moisture on the leaves?

Do a search in the “houseplants” section. There are hundreds of posts about this tree. Also, these two links will greatly help you. http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/1476078/ficus-trees-in-containers-iv?n=223 http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/2842847/container-soils-water-movement-and-retention?n=8

Looks a lot like photo-oxidation (sunburn). Is all the damage facing the same direction, as though it might have been caused by excessive light? The necrotic areas of the leaves can't be fixed. It will gradually dry until crispy and be a part of the leaf until it's shed. It definitely wants a full repot, which is much more involved than potting up. BTW - that plants will pout until they have 'adjusted to their new surroundings' is a horticultural myth, and I JUST finished talking about that topic on this thread. Al