New to Bonsai and Need Ficus Help

smattmac

I have been lurking the forums getting bonsai info for a few weeks, but I have just recently began having trouble with my small ficus. I live in Alabama so it does not really get cold here, but a few weeks ago the temp began to drop below 65'F during the day. While I was gone for a few days, my wife left my ficus outside day and night. When I got home the all leaves were black and wilted, but not dry. I brought the tree in and most of the leaves dropped off the tree, but what remained was still black and wilted, but tender so I don't think they were dying.

I removed these leaves as well, and read on the forum about the ficus being a tropical tree and most of the info said to put it under a plant light so I have done that. I didn't know if there was anything else I should do or if anyone here thought the tree would survive. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Mcspeed

You might be OK, they take a bit less than 65, keep it warm, and water only as the soil almost is dry, wait and see now.

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laughingstick

Ficus are sensitive to any change in environment - whether it be temperature, light or humidity. They oftentimes react to these changes by leaf drop.

There is quite a lot of information regarding ficus on this website:

www.bonsaihunk.us

Jerry is known for growing tropicals indoors and his site may provide the answers you're looking for.

Best of luck,
-JT

smattmac

Thanks for the help and pointing me to the site for reference. I guess all I can do is wait for spring. If it lives, I will make sure to post some pics!

PatArizona

G'day Mac...

From my limited experience, below 60F isn't bad at all...as long as the overnight doesn't go below 45F.

Also, I agree that bonsaihunk is a good one to listen to.

Another thing you might want to do is search out someone who does tropical bonsai in a local bonsai club.

Pat

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_gonzo_

I live in S. Florida, when we get cold enough weather to effect a ficus the leaves turn yellow (not black) and drop off within a day, to three days after exposure. This happens even though the temp stays above freezing. However, temps under 40 degrees for just a coulple of days can reduce a ficus to a stick. The upside is that the trees down here take very little time to come back. Many times showing new growth within 2 weeks after warming back up.

Don't shoot the messenger, but I also have a place in Maine. One weekend while I was away we had a frost. One of my older ficus (a healthy tree) turned black and it died.

Keep yours as warm as you can even watering with warm water. The grow light certainly won't hurt either. I wish you luck.

Cheers,

_gonzo_