Posted by kelly flanagan on May 02, 19100 at 06:39:09:
In Reply to: Re: Ficus Tree - houseplant - care of posted by L. Toth on November 05, 2024 at 08:48:58:
: : : We bought a beautiful little ficus tree last spring.
It did well on the porch over the summer. We live in
NJ so have brought it in for the winter. Now the
inside leaves are yellowing and dropping. Is there
something wrong?
Also, I don't know how to care for it:
How often/how much - water does it need?
- feeding does it need?
- what should we feed it?
What kind(s) of diseases should we look for?
What kind(s) of bugs should we look for?
Should the leaves be washed? If so, with what?
And, how often?
We love this little tree and would very much appreciate
any help you can give us - many thanks
L. It sounds like this plant went from a rather high light situation to much lower light. It is necessary to acclimate many of the tropical plants to avoid leave drop. The leaves will eventually stop dropping. To avoid this next fall, gradually reduce the light levels toward the end of the summer for about 4 or 5 weeks.
Water only when the soil is dry to the first knuckle, feed once a month with any good house plant fertilizer during the winter months. Allow the soil to dry down before feeding and thoroughly soak the soil until it runs out of the bottom of the pot. (Do not let the plant sit in water at any time.)
Washing the foliage, once every 4 to 6 weeks with a couple of drops of dish detergent in a gallon of luke warm water will keep the foliage clean and discourage any insect populations.
Have fun with your ficus. MVG Plant Dr.
SO RELIEVED!! MANY MANY THANKS FOR YOUR HELP:)
heres a stumper for you!! we were given my mother-in-laws ficus because she had a lack of light. now after a year it is healthy and growing very fast. though we were planning on having it pruned, while examining it we found it was starting to bear fruit!!!! the one fruit is still growing while others have shriveled up and fallen off. this is a miracle to anyone i've spoken to and they have no explanation to what type of fruit it will bear. figs?? the tree seems to have more starting and the first fruit is 2cm in diameter and turning orange.
is this common? i live in toronto canada so it isn't getting tropical weather....
any help would be apreciated
kelly flanagan