Ficus (Fig Trees)

Q. I bought a beautiful Ficus about 3 weeks ago . . . I got it home and all of the leaves are falling off. I can't put it outside yet for direct sunlight because I live in an area where the temperature is still 20-30 degrees. Help!

A. Unfortunately this is a common occurrence that one sees when bringing a tropical plant from a certain locale into a warm dry home. Culture shock to say the least!

Be sure to watch the watering as this is the number one cause of death in these plants which have been moved. Water is not the answer when a plant starts to go into shock. Rather the reverse is needed as the roots are taking up less water into the foliage and therefore the root soil ball is staying wet longer.

Place it in a window with as much light as you can find. Let the soil dry to a depth of one inch below the surface [use your finger to test it]. The plant is going to drop leaves but will not die if you refrain from watering. Allow it to continue and then it will level off as it adjusts. Be prepared to lose a lot of leaves but new ones will emerge later when the light increases and the plant gets used to its new environs!

Feed it with a dilute indoor foliage house plant food once every two weeks.

Q. How about FIG trees? I have one that is at the Southwest side of our sun room sitting in front of 8 ft. glass slider doors. The tree is planted in a 20"L x 20"W x 22"H container with a 2"H drain pan. The tree is about 4 ft tall and not one leaf. They all fell off. I tried feeding it fish meal and other chems but nothing works. The few branches are bendable without cracking so I think it's not dead yet. Any info or ideas on how to care or inoculate some life into it short of exporting it to some Far East country would be greatly appreciated.

A. It is good to have a healthy sense of humor in the face of losing one of our house buddies! I do not know where you live but can tell you right off the bat that southwest is probably the least desirable exposure you could provide a Ficus. They are from areas with high overhang and humid conditions. They require shade and lower temps than most house plants. Low humidity will leave to rapid foliage drop. Is it also near a heating or cooling vent or draft from that door opening?

Move it away and back. Place a layer of pebbles with water in the drain pan. Keep on the dry side not soggy. If the plant is still alive new shoots will appear as long as the sun is not shining right on it or is not sitting in the heat.

I feel that it is overpotted. The measurements point to me that it has way too much soil for the amount of tree. Let it dry and knock off some of the soil. Place into a pot about 1/2 that size and use fresh potting soil lightened with perlite.

Give it dilute feedings of fertilizer high in the first number. Fish emulsion is very good. Treat with half strength for a month. I wish you luck but it may be too far gone. Please let me know.

Q. I am getting ready to plant two Ficus trees I received for my birthday. Should I fertilize them when doing so or wait for a while?

A. It is up to you. If they are healthy and quite green then there may be sufficient food in the soil right now. If they are on the edge give them a solution of a foliage fertilizer as Miracle-Gro Peters or Scotts at one tablespoon per gallon water once a month in a good deep drench.

Another option to consider is to apply Osmocote a slow release fertilizer in tiny pellets. Follow the label directions and sprinkle it around the root ball. The water in the soil will slowly break down the outer shell and release food over a period of three months.

Ficus are not deep feeders but lack of food and good water will lead to bottom leaf yellowing and drop. Also low humidity causes this too.

They require shade so give them only some morning sun and not have in direct hot PM sun rays.