Dying Ficus Microcarpa

[Daiwanee]

I own a ficus microcarpa and I’ve included images of what she looked like before. I had experienced issues with her soil moulding which I noticed was due to the fertiliser, however I was confused because the fertiliser didn’t usually cause such issues. Then I decided to scrape off the mood each time giving her time but over the holidays I heavily watered the plant as I was going to be gone for two weeks and unsurprisingly when I came back 97% of its leaves had fallen off an I watered the plant and gave it adequate sunlight for another week or so. However, the leaves kept falling off and the buds that were one green shrivelled up and were dying out. I decide to repot the tree even though I didn’t have anything fresh fresh soil to use, I used the same one and after that still no change, the leaves kept falling off and I started to notice the mould again. I’m unsure on what to do and I really want to save her. Any advice would be appreciated!!

 

[rockm]

Your issue are bad , slow draining soil, not enough light and probably questionable watering (which is the hardest thing to learn in bonsai)

 

[DaveNuts]

What were the roots like when you repotted?

 

[Daiwanee]

What were the roots like when you repotted?

I would say some of the roots seemed healthy whilst other parts were dried out.

 

[Russ1]

Compounding errors...
You could try to keep the humidity up around the tree, maybe put it in a big clear plastic bag, open it once in a while to exchange air or make a small opening at the top, keep it warm and give plenty of light and hope for the best. Watering unless it is almost dry will just make it worse as will fertilizer.

 

[DaveNuts]

I would say some of the roots seemed healthy whilst other parts were dried out.

Speculation, but from the looks of the soil, and how its mounded, sometimes the water will run over the edge of the pot rather than through it. It'll go wet and mouldy on top because of the lack of roots on the surface, but could be bone dry beneath the surface.

If the soil dries out, sometimes it becomes hydrophobic and it can be difficult to rehydrate.

That would explain the dried roots and shrivelled buds to me.

Have had ficus microcarpa sat in very wet soil for months and not seen leaf drop like that. (We were all beginners once)

 

[Baron von Smoogle]

From your post, it sounds like you pulled the tree out of its pot and reused the same soil when you put it back in the pot.
If that is the case, it didn't do you much good. Same soil = same problems.
Add your location to your profile so we can tell where you are located. That will help with advice.
Since you have the tree indoors, I would get, at the very least, a bag of cactus soil from a local nursery to repot it into and
then be careful of my watering. If the nursery had it, I would also buy and add some pumice to the mix.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

The fact you have some leaves still alive means tree isnt dead yet.

Id do a dunk watering on it to ensure full rootball is watered. Fill a tray up with water to the height of the lip of the pot. Leave the tree in the tray for 5-10min, then let drain and put back.

if in a window, ensure cold drafts are not blowing on tree. consider using a heat mat for tropicals such as ficus.

Get it as much light as possible. Repot when healthy and vigorous into a better bonsai soil with proper root work.

Reach out to local club for in person assistance.