Hello. This summer I bought a ficus elastica on sale. I own about 60 indoor houseplants and I've countless outdoors. I even treat ill plants I get from work. The ficus was on sale since it had dropped many of the bottom leaves and some were curled. The first weeks went great, it quickly grew three new leaves. Then I started to get some problems. The edges of some leaves turned nasty brown. I read it liked water but I still watered with caution. Am I still watering too much? Anyhow I thought it could be fertilizer burn and the water was brown once it drained, so I tried rinsing it thoroughly. I also suspected spider mites and I think it had some under its leaves but I've taken care of it by now. Two days ago I watered it again after waiting three weeks and being sure it was dry. It was in status quo during that time, not complaining too much. After watering though it dropped two leaves and the new leaves wont develop, they've stayed the same for a month. I am also using chemical fertilizer, should I stop? I thought the curled leaves were a sign of nutrient shortage. I water it with fish tank water, and it lives fairly in the shade. My other plants seem fine there though. Oh, and it mat be slightly rootbound, but I thought they prefer that. Please help, I hate seeing plants die. Should I move it, stop fertilizing or water less? Here is a picture, not the best quality maybe but it shows the three leaves and the brown edges on a fairly new one.
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/houseplt/msg0211472829789.html Yes, I agree with the diagnosis and treatment described in the above link: go easy on the fertilizer. Also, advise keeping the soil more evenly moist. Good luck to you and your Ficus! Welcome to the Forum!
Thank you so much for your fast reply :) tes, I will try to be careful with fertilizers and hopefully find the right balance when it comes to watering :) thanks!
