my ficus Benjamina is not looking too good any advice ?

[jakeclc]

My F Benjamina seems too be dieing from the bottom up ,, I am not too clued up on plants so thought ide look for some advice

I have a screened viv

Retisun 10.0

Basking temp 90-95

Ambient 60-75

Also the top of the plant seems too be doing well which makes me suspect it may be a lighting issue

 

[Carlton]

Ficus do tend to drop the leaves in shaded areas. They self-prune to reduce the number of leaves that are not "contributing" energy for the plant. Ficus also drop leaves when you change their location, level of light, or because they are kept too dry or too hot. Most of them are tropical species. F. benjamina can be fussy!

A couple things to check:

Is the potting soil constantly soaking wet? Increase drainage by enlarging the pot drain holes, putting some pebbles in the bottom, adding perlite to the lower layers of the soil, or even packing peanuts. Soggy roots will eventually suffocate and develop rot and molds.

If too much of the plant is shaded, you can put a regular tube fluorescent light somewhere along the side of the cage vertically so more of the tree gets light. It may help regrow leaves. Sometimes the tree never does bush out again, but pruning the dead twigs (remember to wipe off the fresh sap) may trigger new growth. I use my "old" ReptiSuns. Get more use out of them and the plant doesn't really care about the UV level. Some people have 2 trees and rotate them outdoors or into a sunny window to help them along.

Are you feeding or overfeeding the tree? Ficus can handle pot binding, but if there are roots growing out of the pot drain holes it is time to repot it in a larger one.

 

[jakeclc]

Hi Carlton thanks for the f Benjamina info . Since I have had the plant I have only watered it but I have never fed it , what would I feed it on ?? Also I wasn't sure weather to prune it or not so I think I will give that a go aswel. How often an how much should I water it also ?

 

[Carlton]

Hi Carlton thanks for the f Benjamina info . Since I have had the plant I have only watered it but I have never fed it , what would I feed it on ?? Also I wasn't sure weather to prune it or not so I think I will give that a go aswel. How often an how much should I water it also ?

How long has it been in that pot? If just a few months the soil probably still has some of the nutrients, but feeding it a diluted liquid food won't hurt. Look for a liquid houseplant food and follow the directions as to how often and how much to use.

I'm not a huge Ficus expert, but I tried to keep the pot soil in mine damp (but not soaked) all the time. That shouldn't be hard in a cham cage with reasonable humidity levels.

 

[CashMoney]

Ficus benjamina hates being constantly soggy. If it is, dig it up and replant with more drainage. I have a happy ficus planted in 100% extra small rocks. It gets misted for around 40 min total during the day, plenty to keep it wet enough. Roots need air too. Very few plants like "wet feet." Large drainage rocks give life saving air pockets to always wet soggy soil, in extreme situations it's ok to completely remove the soil. Reliable automated misting gives you a hydroponic gardening environment. Soil can be the enemy. Over watering plants can kill just as easily as under watering. Soil can get laden with pathogens, if you do repot and it smells bad or you see any mold its best to completely rinse away any old bad soil with gentle water. The roots will love you.

More light always helps. It won't burn under fluorescents. Bulb age could be a factor too. Old bulbs put out less usable light.

Plants put the most growing hormones to whatever branch is closest to the source of light. If you occasionally trim or bend the leading branch below another it helps the plant to distribute it's growth. Most plants grow much healthier when moderately pruned. Don't be scared of the scissors. Ficus benjamina is a common bonsai specimen, it can be cut back to just nubs of a couple leaves and it will grow back stronger if healthy to start.

 

[CashMoney]

Bare terra cotta pots harbor negative bacteria and mold in wet environments too. Fully glazed or plastic is better.