The Royal Ficus

[coh]

It appears that your tree is just having inner dieback on weak leaves, this is simply because the canopy is so dense and there is no definition. On an aesthetic side having pads of foliage is a nice appearance but on a purely horticulture side creating definition and pads of foliage helps to make sure that all areas of the tree (foliage) gets equal amounts of light.

I can't give you fully true advice as I have no experience growing in your area but in South Florida where I am It is very common for ficus to have mild die back and drop leaves with an extremely dense canopy, especially when it is so crowded like this one.

If this were my tree I would wait until the seasons permit me to do so and then fully defoliate, select branches (I can see many branches you don't need in the final design of the tree), wire til your hands cramp up and pot it up in a slightly larger bulb pan to rebuild.

Seems like really good advice right here!

This could be a very powerful tree if it was shortened a fair bit, and the foliage was redesigned from the current bush/shrub look to something with definition, more tree like. Put the emphasis on that beautiful base and surface roots. That last photo (post 32) looks pretty good!

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Put the emphasis on that beautiful base and surface roots. That last photo (post 32) looks pretty good!

So, as said, that's the back of the tree. I'm debating whether or not that should become the new front. That side has powerful surface roots and appears more "tree-like". Don't get me wrong, I think the current front is gorgeous as well, but the back is a very tempting option...

 

[quietobserver]

So, as said, that's the back of the tree. I'm debating whether or not that should become the new front. That side has powerful surface roots and appears more "tree-like". Don't get me wrong, I think the current front is gorgeous as well, but the back is a very tempting option...

If you're taking a poll, I'm partial to the back as the new front but just my .02 worth.

Nice new addition btw.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

If you're taking a poll, I'm partial to the back as the new front but just my .02 worth.

Nice new addition btw.

The thing about the back is that it leans away from the viewer, which I suppose could be fixed with a fuller canopy...

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Went away on vacation for a week and came back to a very sick, sad looking tree

 

[aml1014]

Went away on vacation for a week and came back to a very sick, sad looking tree
View attachment 117443 View attachment 117444 View attachment 117445

That's terrible!what happened?

Aaron

 

[Don Blackmond]

Why do you think its sick, as opposed to a seasonal, water or sun issue?

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Why do you think its sick, as opposed to a seasonal, water or sun issue?

Well, it's not growing and it's dropping leaves, so I consider it sick. Not a seasonal issue.

It most likely didn't get enough water while I was gone and now it's really upset.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

(Not sick with bugs, but sick in the sense that it's not really healthy right now)

 

[thams]

Maybe it's the somewhat cooler nights (and some days) that we had this week. A few mornings have been pretty chilly.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Maybe it's the somewhat cooler nights (and some days) that we had this week. A few mornings have been pretty chilly.

I dunno. I don't think it's gotten that cold. I do plan on setting up the indoor lights this week though.

 

[Vin]

Maybe it's the somewhat cooler nights (and some days) that we had this week. A few mornings have been pretty chilly.

I doubt that would be the case unless you're talking about temps in the high thirties. Probably the lack of water as Ryan stated.

 

[thams]

I figured that it is was still acclimating then some temperature variations could throw it off a little resulting in dropped leaves. It's definitely not too cold for tropicals yet, but still slightly chilly.

 

[LanceMac10]

Somebody water for you while you were away?

Cuz I wonder if it wasn't too much water?

 

[augustine]

Ryan,

That tree is beautiful and fwiw I like the original front. You can show this one. Good luck and listen to Don.

 

[thomas22]

I've noticed that all my Ficus are getting some yellow leaves right now. Not quite as many as yours but definitely more than a month ago. I'm betting it will be fine.

 

[coh]

You have a bunch of other ficus trees, don't you? How do those look? Is this the only one affected?

My ficuses have been exposed to a number of nights in the mid/upper 40s (lowest 46) and they don't look like that, so it's gotta be something else...maybe still adjusting to the new location and your watering. Mine sometimes start looking like that during the winter when they're indoors in lower light and humidity. Either that, or it got way too dry or wet while you were away.

 

[LanceMac10]

a couple days with storms that dumped rain (for a short period), the tree has got some yellowing leaves.

It's dropping quite a few leaves, which is a little concerning. I believe it's due to the soil, holds too much water I'm betting.

new growth doesn't typically shrivel up and die.

I'm going to keep it moist...

Houston, we have a problem..........

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Houston, we have a problem..........

Not quite. I went on vacation where it didn't rain at all and dried the tree out. This wasn't me not watering it. Lack of water does this as does too much water. Keeping it moist is good, but not soaking wet. When it's dry for an extended period of time like it has been the past week without water, this happens.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Somebody water for you while you were away?

Cuz I wonder if it wasn't too much water?

No.