Hi all, I basically rescued this tree from a family member about a year ago. It goes through stages of where it drops a lot of leaves and times where it looks healthy. I don't really know what else to do for it right now but ask what it is to possibly be able to help it more. It seems like it drops more leaves when I water it once a week, when I water it less than that it drops less leaves. I had it outside since august but not the temperature here is dropping below 32 at night and we are having hard frosts. Here are 4 pictures of it I took a few minuets ago. http://needypawsrescue.org/DSC01460.JPG http://needypawsrescue.org/DSC01461.JPG http://needypawsrescue.org/DSC01462.JPG http://needypawsrescue.org/DSC01463.JPG If anyone has any suggestions or could tell me what it is I would greatly appreciate it, thanks.
Looks like Ficus benjamina, Weeping Fig. Apparently leaf drop is not uncommon for this plant. Exposure to drafts is one of the causes.
Ficus benjamina can be really bratty at times! They can drop their leaves for a few reasons, drafts, like junglekeeper said, moving them around to different light, like from outside then back inside, that's why I keep mine inside. Even moving them a few feet from a window indoors that's it's been accustomed to can cause leaf drop.Wet soil, dry soil..... Find a nice bright indirect, or semi sunny spot indoors, the best thing you can do is keep it there. The soil should be evenly somewhat moist at all times, not soggy, maybe a little dryer in the winter. I let the soil dry one time for a couple of weeks (an experts opinion) and many of leaves turned yellow and fell to the floor like an outdoor maple tree in Autumn! You might have to trim the branches back a bit in the spring if they dried up inside, they will have a wrinkled appearance.To keep it more full looking, you'll want to keep it trimmed up.
Judging by the looks of the newest growth it was subjected to frost. It may recover in time if kept warm and well lit with adequate humidity. HTH Chris
