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Ficus rescue

PegathaPegatha Posts: 94
in Problem solving
Hello all

I was very proud to have kept all my ficus plants alive and looking decent enough this winter... except this one, which is in a critical condition! 

Been trying to figure out what’s so different about this plant to my other ones, and I reckon he’s maybe not had enough light. So I’ve now put him under an LED light. Most of the leaves have already fallen off, I can see a handful of green shoots, but not as many as on my other plants.

What would you say this guy’s chances of recovery are? Is there anything else I can do to help revive him?

thank you 


Posts

  • PegathaPegatha Posts: 94
    This is the healthiest looking branch, the leaves are still nice and green and I can see a couple of healthy new shoots 

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,144
    Give it a good shower to remove dust, moisten the stems and buds a bit (discourages pests like spider mite) and get that compost thoroughly dampened then let it drain completely before putting back in a well lit position but not direct sun.   When leaves start to show thru give it a dilute liquid feed for foliage plants.  Don't let it go thirsty but don't keep its feet so wet they drown.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • PegathaPegatha Posts: 94
    thank you Obelixx for your advice. His pot doesn’t have drainage. Should I re-pot or will that just be more disruptive?
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,144
    Absolutely!   It's not a bog plant so doesn't want to be sitting in a swamp when the water can't drain away.  Pot it on to pot with drainage holes.  Use good quality John Innes no 3 type compost and then stand it n a saucer or a bigger cache-pot.   
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • PegathaPegatha Posts: 94
    Obelixx I will try that - thank you! 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,144
    Good.  Let us know how it gets on.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
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