Hi - My 4 or 5' ficus benjamina has developed a thin, shiny sap like looking sheen to its leaves, coupled with a white, paint like looking splatter on some of the leaf tops which flakes off with your nail, not underside the leaves just tops of some, with some of this white stuff on the bark as well in a few spots. And, I think I also saw a worm or two moving in the soil. Lots of symptoms but this is a little tree which has withstood a lot for the past 10 years. I rescued it from a stairwell dying in my old office building and it survived lack of watering, very little light spurts of growth when it was better cared for and dormancy when not and when we moved out of my office and into this apt (not a lot of light here either but its by a window), it was repotted by a plant place and hasn't been doing well since. Any ideas of what this is and how to cure my little plant? Thank you!
Hi - Thanks for responding. Not sure what it is. Here is a picture of one of the leaves with the white substance on it. The substance is also on the blunt ends of a couple of branches. seems to be making its way down the tree, top to bottom with the bottom half still healthy looking. Any help or advice any of you can provide would be really appreciated as this particular plant has sentimental value. Thanks much. Hope the attachment made it into this email. Jody
Here is some mealy bug info: http://www.firstrays.com/mealybugs.htm These critters have taken advantage of your stressed ficus. Act now, before your plant is weakened beyond recovery. The sticky sappy stuff is 'honeydew'. I employ a q-tip and rubbing alcohol. This procedure is effective but laborious, and, as the article says needs to be repeated until the invaders are vanquished. You may want to repot the plant yourself: there may be unwanted freeloaders in the soil, too. If so, get rid of it! On this forum I have read sad stories of folks getting their plants repotted professionally...and acquiring various kinds of infestations in the process. Yecch! Could you give us a photo of the whole plant so that the extent of the problem can be seen? I think that if you get on the bugs in a vigorous fashion, assure that the soil is pest-free, well-drained and aerated, and get the plant in a good location (bright curtain-filtered light; steady temp, even moisture) where it can STAY, it likely will be OK. I know from my own ficus experience that these are touchy plants that do not like to be moved around or have changes in their environment. This whole procedure will take a while, but you sound as if you are willing to do it. I am certain that other Forum members will add their advice to my own. Good luck to you and your ficus!!!
Thank you! Am going to repot with all new this weekend. Here is photo of whole plant, as well as photo of just upper branch/leaves. you can see the leaves are drying and dying from top down which is also where the white stuff is, on the top branches and leaves. Have a great holiday if you are in the US. :-) Otherwise have a great weekend if we don't speak. Really appreciate your help. Jody
Hi Togata57 - I repotted the ficus, washed everything out and washed the leaves with the recommended mild detergent/water ratio from the link you sent to get that "dew" stuff off of them. Hoping this does the trick and this little ficus is on its way to being healthy again. I'll keep you posted. Thanks so much! Jody
