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- Q.Worried About My Ficus - I have a Ficus on my balcony and I recently noticed rust a colored trail down the length of its ...
- Q.Ficus Tree Lost LOTS Of Leaves - Was doing well for several years 10+. Last 2 months lost leaves - one stem lost all leaves and when I ...
- Q.Ficus Tree Tissues Help! - Ok I had one in door ficus tree the I moved it in the summer outside with my other two ...
- Q.Ficus Benjamin – Drainage Wholes - We bought a bigger pot for our Ficus Benjamin. Enclosed a picture of the whole. Do we need to drill ...
- Q.Is This Houseplant A Ficus? Why Might It’s Leaves Be Browning And Falling Off? - Hello, I inherited this houseplant and am wondering whether it is a Longleaf fig (ficus binnendijkii)? Might you know ...
- Q.Guidance Required In Growing Ficus Like Umbrella - My ficus is planted in ground soil. A gardener long ago tied its branches from bottom. Now should I open ...
- Q.What Is This Tree And Where Should I Plant It? - It dies back completely in winter and grows leaves in late spring. Also, is it too big for the pot?
Asked by
deborafuentes on
November 15, 2019
PanamaQ.Worried About My Ficus
I have a Ficus on my balcony and I recently noticed rust a colored trail down the length of its trunk, as well as a strange cluster of black squiggly lines (super weird to me anyways!). Can you help me figure out what this is and if I need to take any special care?
Answered by
BushDoctor on
November 18, 2019
Certified ExpertA.Interesting... There aren't many fungal infections that exhibit black mycelium like that. That is common in many species of Honey Mushroom (Armillaria), though. It is likely that your tree is infected with the pathogenic mushroom. They, mostly, infect sick trees. They can, however, take a perfectly healthy tree. This is especially true within the Fig (Ficus) Genus.
You can try treating the tree with fungicides, but Armillaria will kill almost all of the hosts that it infects.
This article will help with fungicide use: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm
This article will explain more about Armillaria rot: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/armillaria-root-rot-control.htm
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- Asked by
Anonymous on
February 13, 2020Q.Ficus tree lost LOTS of leaves
Was doing well for several years 10+. Last 2 months lost leaves - one stem lost all leaves and when I cut it it was dry - not rotted - Water only when measuring rod reads almost dry
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
February 14, 2020
Certified ExpertA.Was there a sudden change in environment, such as moving it to different room? Another possibility is that it needs fertilizer. They are not heavy feeders, a couple times a year is enough.
Here are more possible causes:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ficus/ficus-losing-leaves.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Wlcreal on
March 15, 2020
Las Cruces, NmQ.Ficus Tree Tissues Help!
Ok I had one in door ficus tree the I moved it in the summer outside with my other two outside ficus trees in pots. Covered them in winter. Then in February in Southern Nm I notice leaves every thinking on all of them so I took all remaining leaves off hope I could start new. See pictures. Now only one has this what is it? And will leaves grow back this summer. The 3 trees are 10 years old.
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
March 16, 2020
Certified ExpertA.These are not tolerant of changing conditions. The indoor tree must remain indoors, or acclimated slowly. It likely suffered shock.
Paired with what looks like a type of scale, and stripped of all leaves (which is another big thing that should NOT be done to a ficus)- This tree will likely be on its way out.
You can test whether there is still any living growth. Cut the tips of the branches until you find any areas that have some bend to them, or that are not brittle and dead. Once you remove all dead growth, you will need to put it back indoors into the environment that it was used to before the move.
These articles will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ficus/ficus-losing-leaves.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ficus/ficus-tree-care.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
clealarosa on
May 9, 2020
LondonQ.Ficus Benjamin – Drainage Wholes
We bought a bigger pot for our Ficus Benjamin. Enclosed a picture of the whole. Do we need to drill more wholes?
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
May 12, 2020
Certified ExpertA.If your soil is correct and allows proper drainage, then a bigger hole will not be necessary. However, if your soil is not of good quality you may find the need to add drainage. That, single, drain hole should be plenty.
Most importantly, just make sure that the container is no larger than 2 or 3 inches on all sides (up to 4 is ok but I don't recommend it), compared to the current container. Potting up much larger than that at any time for these slow growing trees will often lead to overwatering and root rot.
Here is an article for more information on potting these up:
Here is an article for their, general, care:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ficus/ficus-tree-care.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
May 16, 2020Q.Is this houseplant a ficus? Why might it’s leaves be browning and falling off?
Hello, I inherited this houseplant and am wondering whether it is a Longleaf fig (ficus binnendijkii)? Might you know please? Secondly, the houseplant has been shedding leaves some of which are browning. Do you know what I should do to prevent this? I saw your article by Tonya Barnett and am doing most of what the article says I should be doing. The plant is now about 5 foot (167cm). I have feeding it with Baby bio plant food. I would love to hear what your thoughts are? Thank you. Kind regards
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
May 18, 2020
Certified ExpertA.It does look like a long-leaf fig. When a houseplant has brown edges, like one of your photos, it's usually lack of water. Humidity is also a big factor with ficus. If you aren't misting, then create a pebble tray below the pot to supply some humidity. Here is more info that should help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ficus/ficus-losing-leaves.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/hpgen/what-is-a-pebble-tray.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/hpgen/houseplants-with-brown-leaves.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Dawood001 on
May 22, 2020
BahawalpurQ.Guidance Required In Growing Ficus Like Umbrella
My ficus is planted in ground soil. A gardener long ago tied its branches from bottom. Now should I open them and which branches do I cut? I want to send picture so that you can get idea.
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
May 25, 2020
Certified ExpertA.Unfortunately, that is not a weeping type. Trimming it like this will kill it.
Here is an article for the pruning of this type of Ficus:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ficus/trimming-ficus-trees.htm
Was this answer useful?10 - Answered by
Dawood001 on
May 26, 2020A.Further doctor I want it to have a shade forward becuase on back there is a wall. I want to have it a shade so that we can sit and park vehicle under it, kindly guide
Was this answer useful?00 - Answered by
Dawood001 on
May 26, 2020A.@Bush Doctor thanks for the reply, I want to grow it big to have an umbrella shape. Do I need to cut it at all and do tell should I untie it? I have read the article but I am still not clear. Kindly refer to a guide having images as used for clarity.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
hym on
May 29, 2020
West Yorkshire, UKQ.What Is This Tree And Where Should I Plant It?
It dies back completely in winter and grows leaves in late spring. Also, is it too big for the pot?
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
June 1, 2020
Certified ExpertA.It appears to be a type of Ficus. It also appears to have more than enough room in that container.
Here in the US, they don't do well outdoors in most areas. Their care will be similar, regardless of whether it is indoors or outdoors.
Here is an article for more information:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ficus/ficus-tree-care.htm
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