Can she be saved? Fiddle leaf dying daily

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

When I first purchased Phyllis on July 23rd, she was majestic. She was definitely the Chanel of all of my other plants. I found a spot for her in my home next to a window. She seemed to like it. I saw some spider mites on her; I wiped her leaves weekly and sprayed an insecticide soap on her. I watered her twice between July 23rd and August 10 and she rapidly started declining. Afraid, she was suffering from root rot based on the blackness I saw on the end of her leaves, I repotted her back in her nursery pot, but didn’t cut any of the roots. After a week, the decline continued. I saw no progress so I repotted her again in a brand new pot and tried to get rid of all the dead roots. She has been losing on average 4 leaves a day.

is it too late for her? Please help, my feelings are so hurt.

first day home

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

Ellen Bshaw
6 years ago
Hi, from reading your post it seems like your plant is severely stressed! Just moving it from store and the change of light can affect a plant and it seems like you have overwatered and stress the plant further by repotting 2 times. I would leave it alone or put it outside under a shaded area and maybe it will straighten itself out. Water it with a “tell” a wooden dowel sharpened with a pencil. Stick it into the plant to the bottom. If it comes out dry water. Search the threads for Al Tapla’s growing trees in containers. I don’t know how to link but if you search you will find it. It is a wealth of Information . Elen
Ashley Hughes thanked Ellen Bshaw
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
6 years ago
Overview of Good Growing Practices

Long-term Care of Trees in Containers

Long-term Care of Ficus Trees in Containers

Al
Ashley Hughes thanked tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
Related Professionals
Decatur Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Cambridge Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Huntington Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Macon Landscape Contractors · Enfield Landscape Contractors · Omaha Landscape Contractors · Watertown Landscape Contractors · Wheeling Landscape Contractors · Farmington Landscape Contractors · Dothan Kitchen Remodelers · Dallas Kitchen Remodelers · Brattleboro Kitchen Remodelers · Jonesboro Landscape Contractors · Davenport Landscape Contractors · Fergus Falls Interior Designers & Decorators
Ellen Bshaw
6 years ago
Thanks Al!
Ashley Hughes thanked Ellen Bshaw
Ashley Hughes
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you so much!!!!
Need2SeeGreen 10 (SoCal)
6 years ago
Good luck! I hope your plant will feel better soon. Ficus are pretty resilient.

When you repotted, what did the roots look like? What color were they? Were there a lot of them? And what soil did you report into? I am just curious - and just if you remember.