I have read the posts about the Ficus and they have been somewhat helpful. I have a Ficus Benjamina. I brought it home from the nursery 2 months ago and it was full and healthy. It has now lost most of the leaves UGH! It is dropping green leaves and some leaves with brown patch. The nursery told me not to do anything right now but water. This tree is about 7 feet tall. I believe it needs a larger pot but they said not to repot it just now. I do love these plants and want to learn how to care for it. I may be getting some misinformation. I live in eastern US so the weather is not that harsh,if that would be an issue. It is in a plastic container. Would it be better in a clay pot? What is the formula for the pot size in relation to the tree size? It does seem to have slowed on the shedding as of now. Any help would be terrific! Thanks for your assistance~~ The brown thumb!!!
Ficus benjamina are known for dropping leaves when moved to a new place, sometimes taking between a month, to three months to show it's displeasure! Leaf drop can last for months on and off, but with good care, it will eventually slow and stop.You can turn the tree weekly without any problems for even growth. If it's not turned, eventually the side not facing the window will go bare and branches can dry out. Make sure it's getting lots of bright indirect light AND some direct sun. Water well when the soil starts to dry down some, like a few inches down. You don't want constant wet soil or bone dry soil. Let the top few inc hes dry some before watering.Water thoroughly so it comes out the drain hole, empty all the excess water after it's done draining into the saucer. I like to keep all my plants a little on the snug side in clay pots (giving the root-ball an inch or two off room all the way around inside pot) which helps the soil dry down more quickly, but plastic os ok, although the soil can stay wet/moist longer then with clay which is porous.
Thank you bluewing for the info!! Can you tell me what the brown patch on most of the falling leaves? The patch is about the size of a woman small fingernail on the sides or the end of the leaf. Some of them are even turning a pale green not yellow. I may have been under watering it from what you have described. I water it about every other day. I have not been watering until it comes out the holes. Again thank you for your knowledge. Would you recommend repotting now or just wait till Spring. Also, What is the correct way to repot? Do I just move the soil with the plant to new pot and add new? What is the correct nutrient to feed and when? Thanks again!
.brown patch on most of the falling leaves? Could be from the wrong light, and/or wrong watering, possibly too dry. If possible, you might want to make sure that the roots are ok and not rotting, not dried out. Find a nice bright spot for your ficus and leave it be. Test the soil with your finger (up to the first knuckle) once a week. If it feels dry, it probably can use a good drink. I would not repot now for a couple of reasons now... Growth has slowed now, wait until it starts growing again in the warmer months as long as it's not going down hill, or severally root-bound (more roots than soil) it's best to wait. Right now the tree is also ailing some, repot when it's growing well AND healthy, not shedding. When you do repot, find a pot that's the next size larger, like an inch or two larger. If the root-ball still has some growing room now, in the spring, find a pot that's the same size, gently pulling away some of the old soil without disturbing the roots too much, then add new soil, an inch or two to the bottom, top and all the way up the sides. Make sure it's fast draining. What is the correct nutrient to feed and when? You can use a reg "balanced" soluble fertilizer such as 10-10-10, 20-20-20 when you see new growth starting in the spring and summer months. Use a diluted pr weak amount, not what is recommended on the package, too much can cause roots to burn.
Thank you so much for your advice!!! I will do what you recommend. I think I may have gotten some misinformation in the past. This is the second Ficus I have had in a little more than a year! The first one had brown bugs on the bottom side of the leaves. By the time I found the problem and treated it, it was too late. But I do have some fire wood now :(. Don't these trees shed leaves when they don't get enough water as well? If so, that may be where the brown patch is coming from. It is getting good filtered light. It gets about 3 hours of morning sun as well. Thanks again for your help!
Definitely gogreen , Under, or over-watering can cause leaf drop. Once it gets settled in with the right watering regime, as well as the other care it needs, it should do well for you:)
