Hello, I picked up this starter tree in a 2x2 pot from a nursery in PA this past weekend. They keep all their bonsais materials in the hot indoor nursery. It's about 7" tall and looked really healthy. To me it's the better looking ficus with oval to almost round shaped leaves. However, I'm noticing this week 2 new buds in the mid trunk turned brown and fell off. The next day a bigger leave at the top turned yellow and it falls upon touch. I think it's definately in shock and not sure how best to keep it alive now as of this morning I touch the smaller green leaves on the top of the tree and they all fall off 1 by one. Leaves on the lower trunk and branches are still strong. I did the scratch test and saw dark green on the upper trunk where as the lower trunk was light green.
It had been kept on my upstairs balcony which faces south to south east so it got direct sun from morning to noon. I brought it inside and put under CFL for about 3.5 hours at night. I gave it just enough water to keep the soil damp as I know ficus's like to try out a bit before watering.
Did I bake it? Is it just a acclimatizing issue because it came from a nursery before? I thought ficus came from the tropics and love hot and humid weather. Thanks for any tips.
hopefully some pictures help
[img]https://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd340/malagabee/CIMG0850.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd340/malagabee/CIMG0851.jpg[/img]
this upper area had a handful of leaves before, all dropped.
[img]https://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd340/malagabee/CIMG0852.jpg[/img]
the upper trunk has turned dry and starting to wriggle but the lower trunk is still ok
[img]https://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd340/malagabee/CIMG0861.jpg[/img]
One other thing I remember doing was spraying the soil and lower trunk with fungicide in attempt to get rid of some green stuffs which I thought to be fungus
[img]https://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd340/malagabee/CIMG0850.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd340/malagabee/CIMG0851.jpg[/img]
this upper area had a handful of leaves before, all dropped.
[img]https://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd340/malagabee/CIMG0852.jpg[/img]
the upper trunk has turned dry and starting to wriggle but the lower trunk is still ok
[img]https://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd340/malagabee/CIMG0861.jpg[/img]
One other thing I remember doing was spraying the soil and lower trunk with fungicide in attempt to get rid of some green stuffs which I thought to be fungus
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Gnome
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linlaoboo,
Ficus are noted for often dropping their leaves when moved to a new environment. This would not account for the partial defoliation or the softening of the upper portion. If you feel that the top is not recovering it might be best to simply remove it. With such a young piece of material you will not ruin an established design. If you do cut it off leave a stub and allow it to die back on its own, you can clean it up later. Don't be concerned if you see some white latex seep from the wound, that is just the nature of Ficus.
If you have mold issues I suspect that your soil is heavily organic and you are watering a little too frequently for that type of soil. Try using the skewer method that is outlined here:
https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1479
Norm
Ficus are noted for often dropping their leaves when moved to a new environment. This would not account for the partial defoliation or the softening of the upper portion. If you feel that the top is not recovering it might be best to simply remove it. With such a young piece of material you will not ruin an established design. If you do cut it off leave a stub and allow it to die back on its own, you can clean it up later. Don't be concerned if you see some white latex seep from the wound, that is just the nature of Ficus.
If you have mold issues I suspect that your soil is heavily organic and you are watering a little too frequently for that type of soil. Try using the skewer method that is outlined here:
https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1479
Rather than keeping the soil constantly damp try to establish a cycle where the soil dries a bit before a thorough watering, constant small amounts is not the best method.I gave it just enough water to keep the soil damp as I know ficus's like to try out a bit before watering.
Norm
it's continue to die back. Last night I cut off the upper part which had dried up and left it under cfl light for a couple hours. This morning the highest branch off the trunk had all 3 leaves which turned brown and black. I removed the leaves and just left the bare stem. The main trunk continues to dry up lower and lower. I'm not sure if there's any hope at this point. Should I attempt to give it more moisture by putting it in a sealed container or put mulch above the soil? I haven watered it for 2 days considering would like for the soil to dry more before I water. Should I start putting it in the shade???
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Gnome
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 5122
- Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:17 am
- Location: Western PA USDA Zone 6A
linlaoboo,
Moving it around constantly is not doing it any favors. I keep Ficus outside during summer but I transition them gradually. First from inside to a shady spot, then to a brighter spot and finally to full sun, or at least what passes for full sun on this lot. I suspect that you gave it too much sun too quickly.
Find a spot that gets some sun but not excessively so and simply leave it there. Manage the water carefully, a plant that is not actively growing is not transpiring much water, combined with the organic soil it is no wonder it does not need watered frequently.
Other than that I don't know what to say. Have you contacted the vendor?
Norm
Moving it around constantly is not doing it any favors. I keep Ficus outside during summer but I transition them gradually. First from inside to a shady spot, then to a brighter spot and finally to full sun, or at least what passes for full sun on this lot. I suspect that you gave it too much sun too quickly.
Find a spot that gets some sun but not excessively so and simply leave it there. Manage the water carefully, a plant that is not actively growing is not transpiring much water, combined with the organic soil it is no wonder it does not need watered frequently.
Other than that I don't know what to say. Have you contacted the vendor?
Norm