I am finding I am watering every second day. To be honest I feel with the 5-`1-1 mix I could water daily which is the beauty of it! I am seriously planting every indoor plant I have in the 5-1-1 mix from now on!

If you're required to water every second day, you have room to build more water retention into the medium ........ if you like. More water retention wouldn't necessarily be a plus from the plant's POV, but you might appreciate it.

Al

Al, I assume that its every 2nd day but I honestly think I could wait til the 3rd day considering the plants love for a dryer medium. I am still getting used to the combo, previously I was watering once a week!

I am wondering if my Peace Lily would appreciate the 5-1-1 mix? It's currently in a raised garden bed soil mix.

Yes - Peace lil;y is one of the plant's I'd choose to grow in the 5:1:1 mix, not because the gritty mix wouldn't work as well, but because they need repotting or dividing so frequently it makes better sense to use the 5:1:1 or equal.

Al

One week and a half later, there are new growths on both of my main FLF and the cutting growing in water!

Sweet! I also have new growth on mine! I will have to snap a photo later:)

Both of you:

Thank you, Al!

Cant wait to see yours, Ariel!

jz267, is this the pine bark you used?

Yes. Ordered it from internet when it was on sale.

Alright, thanks. I'll go look for it in the local pet store.

Here are my pictures! First one is a bud coming up from a leaf that I pruned back about a month ago. 2nd picture is my cluster of leaves that sprouted up after I pruned back a leaf on that one also!

3rd is romaine lettuce..haha if you cut off the end and put it in water by a sunny window they sprout more lettuce! Haha such fun! I plan to plant them in my garden this weekend.

So cool!! Didn't notice that you pruned your plant too!

The lettuce picture made me laugh! I've tried spring garlic and peppers before, but don't want to compete them with my house plants for the limmited best location any more.

Haha I know, they are so cute! I agree on the competition for the best location, I went plant crazy this year and all of my indoor plants are in the sunniest corner of my home. My intent when I started was to decorate my home with beautiful plants, but after getting the plants and doing research I realized I would rather keep them alive and all in one place then around my home where they may die.

Learn all you can. Understanding how plants work, learning how to build appropriate soils, getting a good fertilizer program in place, and making sure you're supplying the cultural conditions your plants want/need are are some of the things that will move you forward at what would seem like a supersonic rate when compared to the trial and error method most growers depend on for their education.

Al

I couldn't agree more Al!

Question..... I have having trouble trying to figure out the best time to fertilize my plants. Do you fertilize with every water? Say once every 3-5 days? Or is it best to fertilize just once a month?

I also have a couple fig trees in containers in my backyard that have figs but aren't getting any bigger. I figured it may have been because there was to many figs (between 30-45) so I took about half of the little figgies off. Now the fig trees are planted in soil but as you have said the nutrients in the soil can only last through a couple of waterings before needing to fertilize. So should I treat all my plants that are planted in containers the same and fertilize with every or every other watering?

Thank you!!

How often you fertilize depends on your watering habits and soil choice. In the winter, I fertilize each time I water the plants I over-winter under lights - maybe 100 plants. I just add 1/8 tsp of FP 9-3-6 to the gallon jugs of R/O water I make and use that to water. I settled on 1/8 tsp because I use plastic plates as collection saucers and because they make small reservoirs, I can't flush as thoroughly as I do in the summer when plants are outdoors. Because I don't flush as thoroughly, the concentration of nutrients in the soil solution is considerably higher than the concentration of the fertilizer solution. I'm fine with that because a more serious issue is the ratio of nutrients getting badly skewed if you're using a fertilizer that supplies nutrients at a ratio considerably different than that at which the plant uses them. For example, using 5-15-5 houseplant fertilizer will very quickly cause issues because the high P level in the fertilizer can cause P to get crazt high if you're not flushing the soil regularly.

In summer, I have about 250 plants to tend, so I really do need to use the hose to water lest I be married to the watering can. That means I can't fertilize each time I water, so I try to fertilize (by hand) on the weekends when mean soil temps are between 65-80*. I generally use around 2 tsp per gallon, which is considerably higher (2x) than the recommended rate.

If you're flushing the soil when you water, the ideal interval between fertilizer applications should actually be tied more closely to the number of waterings than the calendar because watering is what dilutes the concentration of the soil solution. My problem is, I have too many plants to keep track of how many each one gets watered, so I'm sorta forced to rely on the calendar.

Al

Al, I am using an all purpose fertilizer with the ratio of 12-4-8. I have looked for Foliage Pro everywhere and even went to several hydroponic shops to see if it was available, but I cannot find it anywhere. It may be something I could get online easily.

250 plants!? That's insane, but so cool! I currently feel like the amount that I have now is just right for me. Some plants require a little more attention than others but that is okay. From what I understand you are fertilizing right now once a week with a watering in between. You are suggesting that I do fertilize every time I water, taking into account that I am flushing the soil when I do.

With my plants in soil I find that I do not flush the soil but in your 5-1-1 mix flushing the soil is a lot easier. So maybe with my indoor container plants in your 5-1-1 mix I fertilize every time I water and with my outdoor figs fertilizing once a week (say on the weekend) is okay.

Phew...I gotta tell yah I have learned so much this year about gardening and plants in general. From soil mixes to re-potting you would think I am a pro, but let me be clear... I am not. haha. I still have so much to learn and that's what makes taking care of plants fun.

Thank you!

12-4-8 is a 3:1:2 ratio - same ratio as the FP 9-3-6, and the ratio of N:P:K is most important. Your fertilizer lacks CA and Mg, which might be a problem if your tapwater doesn't supply it in adequate amounts. The MG 12-4-8 also derives its N from urea, which makes plants tend toward coarser growth - longer internodes and larger leaves. If a few bucks for the FP 9-3-6 won't break the bank, I'd suggest it because it allows you to supply everything in a favorable ratio with only one application. I used to use 12-4-8 and doctor it myself, but switched over to the FP 9-3-6 as soon as I discovered it.

If you fertilize INDOOR plants every time you water and are flushing the soil, I'd use 1/4 tsp of FP per gallon of water in the summer, and 1/8 tsp in winter. If you stick with the 12-4-8, I'd mix a very small amount of 2 parts 12-4-8 and one part water, then use that mixture at the same rate as the FP 9-3-6.

Al

New discovery!

Thank you Al! I will do some online searching for Foliage Pro 9-3-6 because I believe it will be worth it for my plants sake in the end, plus easier for me!

jz267- Wow! New growth!!! So exciting!

Update!!!

I ordered the Dyna Grow Foliage Pro on Amazon and I am beyond impressed!

I have had it for a week and have now used it one all of my plants and am already seeing loads of growth! My FLF's are budding like crazy and it is so fun to watch! Unfortunately, on one of them, the leaves are no getting any bigger, in time if they stay super small I may just prune it off and start over on the buds with that one. I think considering those were budding when I was repotting it stunted the growth. That is okay though because the leaf that has come after I repotted on the other one is getting bigger every day!

Here is just a couple of pictures of the progress!!

Though I'm not suggesting your small leaf is normal, you might be interested in knowing that the growth habit of ficus is to produce increasingly larger leaves as the branches extend.

I think I became aware of FP fertilizer about 10 years ago. I was using either MG 24-8-16 0r 12-4-8, both also 3:1:2 ratio fertilizers, and doctoring them with a product called STEM (soluble trace element mix) and one called Sprint 138 iron chelate for high pH applications. Once I discovered the FP, I quit using the MG+ homemade mixture in favor of the FP. For containers, it just makes the most sense to me because it has ALL essential nutrients in a ratio that almost all plants like, it's soluble so immediately available, and it doesn't get its N from urea, like the MG and most other fertilizers sold for houseplants do. That means a fuller, more compact plant.

Al

Ariel, has your FLF grown multiple branches? My 1st branch has grown quite a bit but the 2nd one remains small. The cutting didn't have much change for a month but grew a new root two days ago.

Jz, I wish we all (myself included) could post photos that are as high quality as yours. Looking good!

Thanks, Dave!

I agree those are just fantastic photos Jz!

To answer your question, no they have not grown multiple branches...yet. I can see where they will grow branches though! One "branch" has grown out of the place I have pruned and I can tell another is on the way! Once another one pops up I will for sure snap a photo!

I had pruned mine about a month before I repotted so it has taken awhile to see it "branch out". I think with the pruning and repot the plant kinda needs to reconfigure itself. Thats okay though, in the meantime I have a TON more plants to tend too haha.

Thank you Ariel for your kind words too! Now I have hope for my 2nd "branch" again. I wish I could have a TON more plants, but my lemon and pomelo seedlings have taken all good spots. I started them for fun and thought I could just keep the best one, but now I can't get rid of any of them after a year of caring!!

Update! After 2nd repot (the old pot was too heavy) in late July and new growth only on one branch, I trimmed it again in early Aug. There are finally multiple "branches" emerging now!!

Wow! This is awesome! I too have one plant that has multiple branches! Sadly, because of a bad infestation of gnats I had to move all my plants outside, which is fine because they are doing great! They are primarily in the shade and only get a little bit of sun in the afternoon. In Texas the sun is so hot it can burn plants to a crisp if you don't watch out.

I will have to post pictures soon, I have just been SO BUSY and barely have the time to post! Thank you for keeping us updated!!

Ariel, Yes our Texas sun will burn a plant up quickly. I have to water my outdoor plants everyday unless it rains!!!

If you dont mind me asking what part of Texas are you from?

Hey Jamila, I live in DFW area, Arlington TX to be exact! Here are some pictures of how my plants are doing!

My FLF's after repot and pruning did well but did not branch out. It wasn't until I pruned them again did the branching occur! My first flf I pruned WAY back, but the other one I pruned just the new growth and sure enough both plants are branching out!!! Yay!!!

lastly I have a picture of my small Benjamin's I got for $4 at Aldi. She is doing well outside in her new mix! Lots and f new growth!

I dont know if you've ever heard of Amarillo, Tx but thats where Im at. Probably 6-8 hours away from you.

Your Ficus are looking great!!!

More pictures of my sweet plants! I have to say that I've fallen more in love with them once they branched out!

Yours must be really heathy since it's even growing that rainbow flower!

Dave your comment was too funny to me LOL

:)

Haha! I love it!

Help! I reported my FLFs (I separated a 3 stalk in to 3 different pots) into gritty mix and a couple hours later one is drooping. It's just the segment of new leaves at the top. Have I killed it?

Some more info, I just bought the plant a few days ago from Home Depot. I live in Southern Ca. Still having summer temps here, 88 yesterday.

"My intent when I started was to decorate my home with beautiful plants, but after getting the plants and doing research I realized I would rather keep them alive and all in one place then around my home where they may die."

I hear you! My first step was to move the plants that were in the shadows to the one accessible window that has something approaching decent light. I'm just lucky that it happens to be in the living room. If I move things around I can use another window with even better light, which would relive the crowding, and at some point I'll find some affordable light source that will look alright elsewhere in the apartment, but for now I'm just happy to give everything a little more light.

Tessa - probably haven't killed it, but how things balance out depends on how efficiently the repot went, the state of the plant's vitality, and timing, which wasn't the best. It would be great if you had an outdoor spot where you could site the plant out of direct sun and wind. Dappled or open shade would be best. I'm not sure how you'll take the suggestion, but cutting all the leaves in half across the veins will help the roots keep up with the canopy's water demands. The problem with that is, you'll have a plant with leaves halved until you can defoliate the plant entirely next summer and wait for the new flush of pristine leaves to arrive. I use defoliation as a tool for ficus regularly to promote a fuller plant and more compact growth, but your objectives are probably different from mine.

W/o pruning the tree to remove some of the leaves or cutting them in half, you'll need to adopt a wait & see approach and hope drought stress doesn't take enough leaves to cause a total collapse of the plant.

Al

Edit: I think I figured it out--it seems to be the process of cutting stems back leaving two leaves, then trimming the new growth to encourage more branching...unless I'm wrong, in which case I'd love to be corrected.

Al, could you say more about defoliation, or point me to a thread or something that explains how and when it's appropriate?

My two neglected ficus benjamina have lost so many leaves from insufficient light, bad soil, etc., that after repotting next summer they may need some drastic measures to recover the dense foliage that I prefer.

Thanks so much for the tips Al. I don't think I would mind cutting the leaves in half until I can defoliate next summer. Do I need to do this immediately and with just regular scissors? Forgive me as I am a complete novice gardener. Also, should I prune back that segment where the two new leaves are drooping? Or should I cut them in half with the rest of the leaves. The two on top were limp like droopy lettuce. Is there a chance that they could spring back up? I have ordered some Foliage Pro. When would be the best time to be introduce it to my plants and is it ok to use it with each watering?

Ultimately my my goal is to have this plant grow up into a nice sized little tree with full branches. When I defoliate next summer will leaves begin to grow again up and down the trunk? I'd like to have a nice thick trunk that can support a nice canopy of leaves in the future.

Sorry for all the questions. Again I am new to this and I have a black thumb probably because I overwater and have not been using the correct soil. I have been known to kill many a plant except for my snake plants. Being a nurse you'd think I would be able to keep more things alive.

I appreciate all and any help! Thanks again. I'll keep you posted.

LB - full and partial defoliation is a somewhat advanced technique that is used for different purposes on plants that are very healthy. It can promote fullness and finer ramification (branch structure) by stimulating lots of adventitious back-budding that otherwise wouldn't occur if the plant was simply left to its own devices or if a normal pruning strategy was being employed. It is also very useful in restraining those branches that seem to garner the bulk of the tree's energy outlay, while at the same time forcing more energy to branches in distress because the tree might seem to be avoiding allocation of a fair share of energy to them, for which they suffer as they decline until they finally die and are shed. In short, it's a useful tool to help the grower balance/control the amount of energy that flows to the tree's various energy sinks. Read the first paragraph, or more if you like.

Pruning branches back to 2 leaves and allowing 2 branches to grow from the axils of those 2 leaves and repeating the process over and over is the best way to promote fullness in your plant, but you must consider timing.If you did this every month of the year, the plant would soon die. The best strategy is to prune in June so you're removing winters leggy growth, then pinch all through the summer. Sometime in August, you stop pinching & allow the plant to grow unencumbered by pruning all winter long. When the summer solstice is nigh, prune again, follow your pinching routine, and repeat that cycle year after year. If you're repotting regularly and have some sense of what makes a tree pleasing to the eye, there is no reason your trees can't all be spectacular in just a few years. It's not at all difficult to master the basics, which ensures your ability to keep your plants viable & healthy; and learning the basic pruning steps isn't too difficult, either. I won't say a monkey could do it, but it doesn't require a rocket scientist, either.

TLT - I'd cut the leaves in half on the top 1/3 of the tree ..... or you could try tenting the tree for a few days, but decide and act soon. The tree's response to drought includes the formation of an abscission layer at the base of wilting and drought stressed leaves where they are attached to the branch/stem. Once this layer has begun to form, it cannot be reversed. Regular scissors are fine, the sharper the better ("sharp" means less tissue crushed at the cut), and cut across the veins. Your leaves might regain turgidity, but several of the Ficus species (especially lyrata and elastica) are known for their inability to return to their same spatial positioning after wilting, and especially after severe wilting, so they might well have a permanent droopy attitude. Fertilize once normal growth has resumed. Wait until you're SURE it's pushing new growth before you fertilize. Fertilizer in the soil solution makes it harder for the plant to take up water - not a good thing immediately after a repot while root function is inhibited.

We'll have more opportunities to talk about fat trunks, defoliation, and full canopies. I'm thinking it's better not to overwhelm you with a lot of new ideas that you might not fully understand. I think it would be helpful if you pick a thread about your favorite plant (or start one) and sort of flesh out any major plans a few days before you act on them for a while. Very often someone will learn about a technique new to them, get excited about it's potential benefits, and dive right in to it, learning only later that timing was off or a critical step was omitted. Usually, if you sort of give notice about what you intend to do for your plants on your next days off, you'll get some valuable and helpful input from those who've been there done that. It can save an unnecessary heartache. Enthusiasm is a beautiful thing, but unbridled enthusiasm can sometimes end up fostering eventualities that can dampen the spirit, even if temporarily. In case you can't tell, no one here wants to see that happen. We all want to share in your successes.

Al

Thanks, Al, that's very helpful. First priority is to be really nice to all the plants until repotting in June. I have a pruning strategy for the scheffleras and the dracaena, but even when they were well leafed-out and bursting with energy I never really got the hang of shaping them. Anyhow, I don't know how much my two ficus benjamina will improve over the winter, so I'll wait until then to ask for more guidance. Thanks again, Al, for sharing all your pearls of wisdom!

My pleasure ...... happy you found value in the offerings.

Al

Oops, I meant to say that I never got the hang of shaping ficus plants. That's what I get for editing on my phone.

I knew what you meant w/o having to think too hard on it. ;-)

Al