Leaf Loss.

St. Clair · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 7:31 pm Post subject: Leaf Loss.

Hi,
Ficus Ritusa, is this type of tree deciduous ? Some leaves turned yellow and started dropping off, the remaining leaves are turning brown and crispy and will probably drop off also. This happened once before but eventually recovered after a period of non watering. Tree is kept at the back of a conservatory out of direct sunlight but in bright light and warmth.Any further advice wold be appreciated.
Regards, Gordon.

emorrin · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 8:12 pm Post subject: Re: Leaf Loss

Gordon,

To answer your question, No, a ficus is not deciduous. It sounds like a watering problem to me. How often do you usually water? Do you know what kind of soil it is planted in? Does it look like regular potting soil? Without having any additional information, it looks like the soil is retaining moisture too long. This would cause the leaves to go yellow and eventually fall off. The good news is the leaves should grow back like before. The bad news is if this keeps on happening, it may over stress the tree to the point where it eventually won't recover.

If you can take a picture then it may aid in determining the problem at hand. You can post pictures on any free web hosting site, like photobucket.com.

If my assumption is correct, then it may need to be re potted in a better free draining soil.

jimothy · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 9:13 pm Post subject: Re: Leaf Loss

St. Clair · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:23 pm Post subject: Leaf Fall

Thanks for reply,
Yes, I suspected maybe over watering, and I think it may need some new soil, at the moment, the old soil / compost is very hard and after watering, it dries out quickly on top, it's been a long time in this soil i.e. since I was given the tree as a present maybe 4 or 5 years previous.
Regards.

mo's bonsai · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 2:00 am Post subject: Leaf Fall

Definitely time to re-pot, try some coarse soil. You won't have to worry about over-watering. I use all purpose absorbent which is a coarse mix kind of like kitty litter but make sure the label has the little plant picture in the back for product uses, just to make sure it is safe to use on plants.

Mo

Dick · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 3:53 am Post subject: Re: Leaf Loss.

One thing about some ficus trees is that they do not tolerate being moved around. When they are, they might tend to drop a whole bunch of leaves in protest for being moved. Evenm when they are rotated in the same spot, this can happen.

St. Clair · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 9:43 am Post subject: Leaf Drop.

Is this the time for changing soil when the leaves are falling out, or, the time of year ?

emorrin · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 2:01 pm Post subject: Re: Leaf Loss

You can pretty much re pot a ficus any time of the year like most tropical plants. I would go ahead and do it now so you don't risk another set of leaves dropping later on. If that happens too many times, the overall health of your tree will be on the decline due to it constantly making new leaves.

I have never used kitty litter as a medium but you need to make sure it has no extra ingredients in it (i.e. deodorant, coloring). You also need to make sure that the kitty litter won't break down in water. I have seen a specifically named brand of kitty litter that most people use in England. Can anyone let Gordon know what brand this is?

CERBERUS2005 · White Belt Joined: 27 Mar 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Somerset

I'm sure i read somewhere it is "Tesco premium lightweight cat litter"

But please wait for someone with more experience to give their views, as I'm a mere wet behind the ears amateur!!!!!

kenuk · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 2:38 pm Post subject: Re: Leaf Loss.

Gordon, Sophisticat Pink non clumping is the type i use, available from most decent pet shops about £8.00 for 30Lt's

ken

Stymie · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 9:00 pm Post subject: Re: Leaf Loss.

Either of those in the last two posts are okay. The Sophisticat pink has some bigger particles in it and they're not all the same size like Tesco's premiuim lightweight..

St. Clair · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:45 am Post subject: leaf Fall.

Thanks for all the participation, being an Engineer I just cant imagine how s small quantity of new soil, or litter, will keep a tree upstanding in a small pot. Do I remove all the old soil by teasing it from the root system and do I hold it down in the pot until the roots re-establish themselves and hold the tree up under their own steam ?

kenuk · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:11 am Post subject: Re: Leaf Loss.

You might find it easy-er to wash the old soil off, either by a hosepipe or rinsing in a bucket of water. But you have to wire the tree into the pot using the drain holes.

ken

St. Clair · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:25 am Post subject: Leaf Fall

Thanks ken, I always wondered ........................Gordon.

emorrin · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:07 pm Post subject: Re: Leaf Loss.

One thing to note when washing off the roots using a faucet or hose. You should try to have the water temperature as close as possible to the air temperature in order to avoid shocking the roots. I wash all old soil off any new bonsai I get if it was planted in regular potting soil in order to get rid of it all. If you use coarse soil, you may find that this is not necessary anymore when you re pot the next time.

Here is a good video on re potting if this is your first time. The main thing you want to make sure is that the roots don't dry out while re potting.

http://www.bonsaichannel.