A Deciduous Evergreen Plant??!!

onvn

Hello.. Now that I've got your attention..

I am having problems of leaves getting burnt slowly from the tip inward.. It happens to my Ficus Benjamina and Fraxinus Grafithii when it is placed in one of those cheap two-tier so-called 'greenhouse'..

My plants I have placed in their new home, a balcony since it is pouring down a lot and heavy here and I'm scared it might get too wet for their liking and also problems of soil erosion. So I decided to move then into the upstrairs balcony but this poses another problem; too dry!!

So I thought it might be a good idea to buy these small hothouse to keep up the humidity so I don't have to mist them time and time again within a day period but the leaves started turning brown once the sky is clear.. Is this because inside the hothouse it is too hot? or because of the fact that the covering is clear, and so the plant is getting direct light? I have a murraya paniculata in a different (home-made) hothouse but I used opaque plastic covering for it and it never got burnt..

Any answers guys?

Thanks in Advance.

Advertisement

Moleque_san

If you could post some pics that would make suggestions and comments alot easier mate.

From experience, you shouldnt be getting burnt leaves in a greenhouse unless the leaf or leaves is touching the plastic. Another thing, seeing as you made this greenhouse, are there any slits for fresh air? If you apply some holes Below the plant you would then be sucking in fresh air while the humidity flows upward. kind of like a climate control. Makes it not too hot but not too cold at the same time. You will also need a hole or 2 on top for exhaust.

There are also alternatives to Humidity. Humidity trays come to mind...

Also keep in mind, Rain water is the best for your trees. as long as your soil has good drainage then overwatering wont be a problem.

Cathie

Your misting may be leaving more water than you realize on the soil, and if roots are shallow, they may be reacting to the overload.

onvn

Hi,

The greenhouse I built consists of a styrofoam base and a wire frame and plastic covering. The greenhouse I BOUGHT is a free-standing greenhouse with a steel frame and the zip-up cover (refer to pics).

As you can see in the pics, the leaves turn brown only at the tips of SOME leaves (mainly the bottom leaves in the foliage mass and young, open leaves.

Attached Images

	04082007052-small.jpg (40.5 KB, 20 views)
	04082007053-small.jpg (20.2 KB, 27 views)
	04082007054-small.jpg (29.9 KB, 35 views)

Moleque_san

ok judging by what you said, the trees didnt start to brown abit till after you placed it inside A and B greenhouse...

Looks like the tree is readjusting to the new climate. Which is not uncommon as bonsai develop leaves according to their climate. Shade would produce darker leaves which are sensitive to light and Sun would develop lighter foliage. Readjusting would cause a bit of browning but should be nothing to worry about. afterall you do have some pretty healthy looking leaves there.

NOTE: there are cases where leaves have dropped off to reproduce proper leafing.

If Agraham chimes in hes the BT Ficus man and would be better to answer your situation. You could also PM him asking to check out the post hes pretty open to advice

Cathie

That picture sure looks like a Ficus elastica ("rubber tree") and they generally like lower light than most of the other ficuses. I wonder if you've considered that aspect when exposing them to outdoor light?