Software
Houzz Logo Print
dontmather

Sick FLFig; dark spots along veins

7 years ago

Please help! I have searched high and low and dug deep into internet readings/ research, and have not managed to figure out what is going on with my fig.



While cleaning my plant about a month ago I found a very intimidating, dark trail running along the vein on the underbelly of a leaf. The problem is growing.



i found him at a store tucked in a corner collecting dust last summer. He had a few blemishes but I took him home. I live in michigan, my house does not have the greatest lighting selection. The west facing window is too bright, burned his leaves. the north is not enough, plus the big tree shading my house. so now hes about 5 feet away from the south facing window thats downstairs (I live in a split level, half of the house is below grade).



I was on a water every Thursday schedule up until about three weeks ago. he wasnt happy though, some of the tips of the leaves were turning brown around the edge. I wasn't giving him a full soak, just a full glass. (Which I have now learned is not a good approach and i should wait til he shows signs of dropping leaves) I decided to give the soil a good rinse and run through to push out any salt that has been collecting. That was about a two weeks ago.



I apologize if this post is scattered haha Im not sure if im giving the right information or just rambling on about my child








Comments (3)

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Pls show us the whole plant, its pot & soil. Hard to diagnose from just that bit shown.

    Sorry to say, but a cup of water gives us no idea how much water to how big a plant, that's not useful. (A cup can hold any amount, tho' technically speaking a measuring cup = 8 oz.). Water 'til it comes out the bottom, that ensures it's gotten all the way thru the rootball & given the plant enough water.

  • 7 years ago
    Good advice! More pics would help.

    But, don't water again until the soil is dry and the plant needs it. You can check soil moaiture levels with a chopstick or a wooden dowel (1/4" is good) sharpened in a pencil sharpener.

    You would enjoy this thread, it's helpful.....

    Good Growing
    Practices - An Overview
    http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/houseplt/msg101400289284.html
  • 7 years ago

    If these symptoms are manifest in only
    one or two leaves, I'd feel fairly confident that you're looking at
    mechanical injury. Waxing anthropomorphic for just a moment - mechanical
    injury would be the rough equivalent of bruising in a human. What look
    like scabs along the midrib appear to be callus tissue that forms after
    wounding. It looks like the leaf was accidentally scraped across an
    object or an object across the leaf to create the wounds. If it only
    occurs in one or two spots, keep an eye on it, but don't obsess over it.


    Without the support of the midrib and subordinate venation, the
    leaf of a Ficus lyrata would be about as strong as 20 lb bond typing
    paper. So they play a part similar to the metal ribs that support an
    opened umbrella - they add strength that helps leaves keep their shape.
    When subjected to deflection (bending) the leaf isn't able to tolerate,
    the midrib and/or veins can crack - like a piece of celery, e.g.. My
    guess is that's what happened to cause the other injury in your 2nd
    & 3rd images.


    It's really difficult to diagnose something from a distance,
    especially w/o seeing an image that better helps to assess your plant's
    o/a level of vitality. I should probably say that I reserve the right to
    change my mind re what's going on if an image showing the entire were
    to reveal anything that can't be seen in the tight shots.


    If you have interest, you might gain from looking at something I wrote about Growing Ficus in Pots.
    It was originally written when Ficus benjamina, the weeping fig, was
    garnering the lions share of the attention; but the cultural preferences
    of lyrata are so like benjamina that I could simply change the title
    and no one would ever notice. On the off chance that you find what you
    find at the link to be of value, I've written a more in depth piece
    about growing trees in pots that I think you'll find very helpful if you
    think that by becoming a more proficient nurturer, you increase the
    personal rewards you get from your growing experience. Let me know ....

    Al

    dontmather thanked tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
Sponsored
Haus Studio
Average rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars28 Reviews
Franklin County's Preferred Custom Cabinetry & Design Studio