Ficus problem - HELP!

[JT]

I have had a potted ficus (I'm not sure what type, though it has a single stem, if that helps) growing happily in the NW corner of my living room for several years, and it now spreads out to about 8 feet or more. Many months ago, it started getting yellow leaves here and there, mostly toward the center of the tree, that would fall off. I repotted it a few months ago (from a 12" to a 14" pot) in case that was the problem, but the yellowing and falling of the leaves is accelerating now and the tree is becoming bare from the inside out.

The tree gets a pretty fair amount of indirect northern and western light from nearby windows and gets watered about once a week (I was doing a lighter, more frequent watering, but when I called Howard, he advised me to make it a less-frequent, deeper soaking). I have periodically watered it with some Green Sense Foliar Juice in an attempt to give it some nutrition, but to no avail. Although the outer leaves are almost all healthy and dark green, and though new, light green leaves are being formed, the yellowing and drop-off is increasing and reaching farther out on the branches, and I am afraid that if it continues I may lose the tree.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

JT

[Newt]

Hi JT,
Ficus benjamina can be fussy sometimes. If it gets a draft it will shed it's leaves, if you move it it will shed it's leaves, if you repot it it will shed it's leaves, if you change the way you water it it will shed it's leaves. Guess you get the idea. I'm thinking that the initial shedding was because ti was rootbound and needed to be repotted. It may be shedding now because it was disturbed, but it should recover in another month or two.

Take a look to see if there are spider mites in the branches. Another possibility is that it was so rootbound from being in the same pot that the rootball can't take up enough water to support all the leaves. Was the rootball a tight mass of roots when you repotted it? I do find that mine sheds more in the fall, even if it hasn't been moved. Take a look here.

http://www.plant-care.com/plantcaretips/090399.asp


Hope that helps,
Newt

[JT]

Hi, Newt -

Many thanks for the informative reply. I've tried everything I know to make this Ficus feel better, but to no avail. One question, though: I'm not sure of which type of Ficus I have; your reply talks about Benjamina, but the picture on the page you provided the URL for shows an intertwined multiple trunk, rather than the single trunk Ficus that I have. Does that make a difference?

Thanks again for your help.

JT

P.S. - By the way, one tip I might offer in return: Bach Rescue Remedy, a combination of five of the Bach Flower Remedies, is a marvelous remedy for stress and shock, and is readily available in most health food stores. It also works well for plants, and a few drops in the watering can can help reduce the stress and shock of transplantation.

[Newt]

Hi JT,
You're very welcome! There are several different varieties of Ficus, but the 'benjamina' is the one that sheds it's leaves all the time. It can grow as a multiple trunked tree and many folks braid the trunks together. I don't like that look, makes me feel like I'm choking! Here's another picture. Is this it? Look at the leaves too.


http://www.bonsai4me.com/Gallery/GalleryRandyCowie_files/Randy%20Ficus%20Benjamina.jpg

Thanks for the tip on the Bach Rescue Remedy. Maybe I should consider it for myself? Actually, I see a homeopathic and she is a great help with stress remedies. :)

Hope your ficus gets happier soon!
Newt

[JT]

Hi, Newt -

That looks more like it, though mine is about 6' high and about 8' wide.

As to Bach Rescue Remedy, Dr. Edward Bach was an English M.D. and practiced as a homeopath. In fact, he developed the homeopathic Bach Nosodes which are still in use to this day. Although the Bach Flower Remedies are not technically homeopathic, they can produce stunning results with resolving mental and emotional issues, as a result of which physical ailments tend to disappear, as Dr. Bach put it, "like snow in the sunshine." If you're interested in learning about them in more detail, one of the best books is "Handbook of the Bach Flower Remedies" by Phillip Chancellor. Also, if you'd like to read about the amazing results with Rescue Remedy, read "Bach Flower Remedies to the Rescue" by Gregory Vlamis (be sure not to miss the two Bach essays in the back; they're EXCELLENT, as is his little book/essay, entitled "Heal Thyself."

Stay with homeopathy; as a homeopath-in-training myself, I can attest to its power and its superiority over allopathic medicine for treating disease.

Thanks again,

JT

[Newt]

I think it's wonderful that you are training to become a hoemopath. I have been seeing my homeopath for several years now. She has helped with sooooo many problems from a breast tumor to my hubby's prostrate problems to chronic fatique to vascular disease! I just adore her. She is also a nutritionist (where she started on her healing journey) and I've known her for 25 years. She's also treated my kids for allergies and digestive problems. I'm a firm believer! I did look at the Bach Flower Remedies book several years ago and I think I might still have it.

Going to my daughter tomorrow to doggie sit for a week. Not sure I'll be able to use their computer, so you may not hear from me for a week or so.

Stay well!
Newt

[Loop]

JT,
Don't water your ficus on a time schedule...just when the soil feels dry. Mine seems to love that treatment. :)