名媛直播

Dear 名媛直播 Empire Forums,

This is my first tree, a Ficus Benjamina. I took a local class here in Des Moines, and this tree came as part of the package. For the first two weeks inbetween the classes everything went great (tree showed great vigor and health).

After/right before the last class a few days ago, I noticed that the new leaves were a gross dark yellowish-green color - almost a bronze. I then noticed a few gnats, and after staring for about fifteen minutes, I saw some small, white worms that I assume were the larvae (also some webs, but I think they came from the two spiders living in the container - I can't throw out spidermites quite yet, but I do not think that they are the issue).

I have been spraying everything with neem oil for three days now, placed sticky traps for the gnats, and have spread out mosquito bits over the soil. I know that I made the mistake of keeping the soil too moist (in combo with the crazy amount of rain), and I realized that I probably instigated the fungus gnat growth. The tree has been growing in so-so soil from a bonsai website that the class provided. Since the class a year ago was canceled, the tree had grown wild. It is amazingly root bound.

In conclusion, I have two questions. Is there anything more that I can do to get rid of the fungus gnats? Can I repot the tree in order to get rid of the bad stuff in there and any possible rotting roots (despite its shaky health status)?

I am planning on attending my local club meeting in about 3 weeks (as long as the tree is alive and I don't have anymore gnats), hopefully the tree will make it that long.

I appreciate any responses,
Chris

I must add, it’s been outside under my deck in partial shade the entire time I had the tree. Prior to that, it was in the greenhouse at the city botanical gardens.

Your fig is crying out for more light or more phosphorous or more water or less water or some combination thereof.

The clue is the color of those new leaves and the fact they're curling just a bit. That's caused by the natural plant pigment anthocyanin. Normally it's responsible for the blues & violets & purples in leaves, especially as leaves turn color in Autumn or it's produced when a plant is receiving too much light as a way of protecting itself from damage to its cells from excess UV.

In this case, taking into consideration the fact it is under your patio deck, it probably means it is under stress, as I mentioned initially. Anthocyanin is only produced when the plants starch is being turned to sugar, another indicator of plant stress. Some stress, like Autumn colors is normal & healthy. Stress, like what you have there, is not.

I would try 1) just giving it more light, maybe moving into light dappled shade and see how she responds in a month. Also 2) consider your watering practices. F. benjamina likes to dry out pretty good before getting another drink. Excessive watering can sour the soil which leads to 3) difficulty in phosphorous uptake. Remember to fertilize regularly during the growing season always following your chosen product's directions. Light & water is the most likely culprit, here.

Contrary to popular belief, F. benjamina does like full sun, but little steps, you don't want to shock her by changing things too much, too fast. Gradually ease her into it.

Please let us know how things turn out and good luck, Chris!