What's wrong with my Ficus leaves? Any help appreciated!!

OkieBonsai2424

Seedling
Messages
22
Reaction score
2
Location
Tulsa, OK
USDA Zone
7a
Hey all,

I've had this little ficus for about 6-8 months now, and it surprisingly hasn't had too many problems. I noticed today however that a couple of the leaves were starting to look sick and I'm not sure what might be causing it. Does anyone have any ideas??

The only other bits of information that I can think to share is that I recently moved it from its inside spot for the winter, back to the outside where it was in the fall. I don't know if this move could've caused something like this or not...

Any thoughts or help is appreciated greatly!!!IMG_4540.JPG IMG_4539.JPG
 

Redwood Ryan

Masterpiece
Messages
4,555
Reaction score
2,583
Location
Virginia
USDA Zone
7A
Did you place it directly into sunlight upon bringing it back outside? That could be part of the problem. You may also have bugs, probably spider mites.
 

OkieBonsai2424

Seedling
Messages
22
Reaction score
2
Location
Tulsa, OK
USDA Zone
7a
Did you place it directly into sunlight upon bringing it back outside? That could be part of the problem. You may also have bugs, probably spider mites.

Yeah it's in direct sunlight for the first half of the day I would say... Should it be in a more shaded area? It gets afternoon shade for sure..

And I do know that spider mites have been a problem around here. I sprayed this guy once already probably a couple of weeks ago, but maybe it's time to hit it again now that it's outside.
 

rockm

Spuds Moyogi
Messages
14,182
Reaction score
22,183
Location
Fairfax Va.
USDA Zone
7
Looks like sun scald to me. Leaves that develop under lower light conditions (inside) tend to get burned under intense direct sunlight outside. Ficus will adjust to higher light with new tougher, smaller leaves eventually.
 

OkieBonsai2424

Seedling
Messages
22
Reaction score
2
Location
Tulsa, OK
USDA Zone
7a
Looks like sun scald to me. Leaves that develop under lower light conditions (inside) tend to get burned under intense direct sunlight outside. Ficus will adjust to higher light with new tougher, smaller leaves eventually.

I was kind of thinking this might be the case, just because I haven't seen any of the really fine spiderwebs on the leaves like I did before. Doesn't mean it's NOT spider mites, but I was leaning towards maybe I just had it in the light too much and it hadn't adjusted yet. This guy needs to toughen up for sure, but I'll probably try to get it in a little more shaded position.
 

Redwood Ryan

Masterpiece
Messages
4,555
Reaction score
2,583
Location
Virginia
USDA Zone
7A
When a tree is brought outside after being indoors, you need to transition it first. Leave it the shade and slowly introduce it to the sun. Judging by the stippling in the leaves, it appears like it's still got mites.
 

OkieBonsai2424

Seedling
Messages
22
Reaction score
2
Location
Tulsa, OK
USDA Zone
7a
When a tree is brought outside after being indoors, you need to transition it first. Leave it the shade and slowly introduce it to the sun. Judging by the stippling in the leaves, it appears like it's still got mites.

I've read about introducing a "systemic insecticide" so that when these little pests show up, they'll die when they bite into the leaves. Do you have any suggestions of something like that to take care of this problem long-term? I feel like this is going to be a problem all year with the warm winter...
 
Top Bottom