Please save my fiddle leaf fig tree!!!!!

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

Hi all!

I was known for a really bad black thumb. I could not grow anything, and even worse, plants seemed to die under my supervision. So I heard FLF is easy and hard to kill plant. And I really like its look. So I bought one last June. She was so beautiful and about 6 feet tall. here is her pic When I first got her:

Then I got a saucer for the pot and put them inside this planter:

As the instruction from the nursery store, I watered her every week. After a month I noticed some leafs got brown:

I was freak out and I knew I may overwater her. I lifted her up and there was water sitting at the saucer. So I went to search how to fix that. I then put her into the shower and flush the pot hoping to clean all the rod roots and let her there overnight so water drained out. Then I bough a grid to bridge between the pot and the saucer:

So then when I water her, if water gets out from the drainer, the pot doesn't sit on water.

after that, I checked the soil by sticking my finger to the soil about 3 inches to test it. So I watered every other week. Since then, her leafs gradually got brown and dropped out:(. I haven't seen any new grown.

Here is the pic of her now:

As you can see how sad she looks. All of her leafs got brown spots except the very top 2 leafs of each branch.

And her root is out on top of the soil

So so my question is:

1: do you think she stil can be saved?

2: what can I do to save her?

3: should I repot her even tho it s winter in Boston now?

please help me and my beautiful FLF!!!!!!!!!

p/s: I hope Al sees my questions since I read so many his advices here about FLF

Thank you all!

Featured Answer

Dave

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

I'd do a through flush of the soil when it's ready for water (use the dowel method to check). Put the tree in the tub and add 10x the water it would take to saturate the pot. Then let it drain while tilted at 45°.

Get it closer to a window and it it wouldn't hurt to fertilize at the next watering after the flush.

Ficus trees are super easy once you get down the basics.

I started with a small 3 foot ficus Benjamina 2 years ago and knew nothing about what I was doing.

i leaned a lot from Al and now my tree is 7 feet tall, very full and healthy in an 18" pot with the 5:1:1 and does really well. Ficus Benjamina has just about the same exact cultural needs as your ficus lyrata.

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Comments (11)

Dave
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Reading through the following will greatly help you understand your ficus lyrata.

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/1476078/ficus-trees-in-containers-iv?n=213

I'd say your main issues that need to be resolved are definitely over watering and lack of light. These need as much light as you can give them. Right up in front of a south facing window would be best.

Youll want to use a sharpened wooden dowel stuck all the way to the bottom of the pot to check for moisture. If it comes out dark with soil sticking onto it, don't water.

Sticking your finger in 3" doesn't tell you if the bottom of the pot is still holding a lot of moisture.

The brown on the leaves is usually a telltale sign of overwatering.
Ha Do thanked Dave
Ha Do
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you Dave!

so should I repot or what should I do to save her?

I much appreciated it!!
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Dave
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I wouldn't repot until June.

Start by checking the soil moisture with a sharpened wooden dowel.

After that, water only as needed, not on a schedule.

It would also help to put the pot in the sink or tub after watering and hold it at 45°. This will help drain excess perched water.

Whats the light situation like?

Did you read the link I added?

heres one more that'll help you understand a bit better:

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/2842847/container-soils-water-movement-and-retention-xxii
Ha Do
Original Author
9 years ago
I just read the threads, it s so helpful, there is a lot of information that I need. A lot of work too:)
About the light matter: since I got her home, I placed her in the room with large window facing north. Due to my place set up, I can't place her in the facing south window. The next 3 weeks I have the room available so I will place her there to see if any improvements of her hearth. Should I place her right in the middle of the window ?! I heard FLF can't be in the direct sun light, right???!
Because I can't repot her, should I add soil on top to cover the root sticking out?
Here is the window pic:
Dave
9 years ago
I'd put it right in front of the window. Sun coming through a window is filtered by the glass and not full on outdoor direct sun.

Theres a lot of misinformation online. They can take and love direct sun. Though, their leaves need to be acclimated.

I wouldn't add soil on top. Those roots on the top don't need to be covered up.

Get it right in front of the window and get the watering under control and you'll be fine until June.

Do you have fertilizer?
Ha Do thanked Dave
Ha Do
Original Author
9 years ago
I used this recently :

Is is it good?

Thanks!
Dave
9 years ago
What's the npk ratio? I'm going to say that's probably not a good choice for this application though.

Dyna gro Foliage pro 9-3-6 is what I use and comes highly recommended by Tapla.
Ha Do thanked Dave
Ha Do
Original Author
9 years ago
I m not sure about its ratio but I already ordered the Dyna Gro . And when should I do it?

Thanks!
Ha Do
Original Author
9 years ago
Wow! What a beautiful tree you have! I wish I could learn how to do that. No plant could stay with me for more than a year:/

so I just hope I can save my FLF

thank you very much!!!
Dave
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
If you stick around this site, I promise you'll learn how to keep them forever.