Avatar for Mwiltz
May 15, 2017 9:08 PM CST
Thread OP
Oklahoma City (Zone 7a)
I got my fiddle leaf about two weeks ago and starting 5 days ago the leaves started dropping and have brown spots. I think it's due to over watering so I'm trying that. On top of that I noticed that there were little webs on the leaves with small white eggs/mites on the leaves. I started to wipe all the leaves for the pst two days with water at night and they seem to be going away. I am also trying to find a good spot for light. I had it next to a south facing window and then moved it to a north facing window yesterday.

My main questions have to do with light, water and pests .... I think I'm out of luck. Which light is better, north or south? Is there a way to get rid of pests when there are so many other factors that could me ruining my fig... including myself?

Any help will be much appreciated. The first picture is when I first got the tree. The pictures with the vent on the right are facing a north window.


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Avatar for Mwiltz
May 15, 2017 9:20 PM CST
Thread OP
Oklahoma City (Zone 7a)
@drdawg any advice? I have been reading your blogs and know you have quite a bit of experience with these babies
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May 16, 2017 12:03 AM CST
Plants Admin
Name: Suzanne/Sue
Sebastopol, CA (Zone 9a)
Sunset Zone 15
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Perhaps posting this the the Ask A Question Forum would bring more comments since you started a thread attached to the photo above and just that photo submitter gets notified that a thread has been started attached to his photo.
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May 16, 2017 5:57 AM CST
Name: Ken Ramsey
Vero Beach, FL (Zone 10a)
Bromeliad Vegetable Grower Region: United States of America Tropicals Plumerias Orchids
Region: Mississippi Master Gardener: Mississippi Hummingbirder Cat Lover Composter Seller of Garden Stuff
Welcome! @Mwiltz. I have been packing and shipping plants and haven't had time to check in on the NGA.

The browning/dropping is probably due to the stresses involved in bringing home a new plant and having that plant adapt to new growing conditions.

You can spray all the leaves, top and bottom, with insecticidal soap. Or just continue to wipe off both sides of each leaf with a soft, damp cloth, and do so daily. It may take a week of so to rid the plant of these pests.

I would always opt for a south exposure. Keep in mind that these are trees in nature, so you are making the plant adapt to low-light. The more light the better. In my opinion, a north exposure is the worst exposure possible for these plants. Light air movement is good, but having that movement generated by AC/heat vents is bad. That air will be very dry, not good for a tropical plant.

If you have well-draining soil, and plenty of drainage holes in the pot, it will be very hard to over-water these plants. My plants are now outside and they get watered pretty much every day. Your plant won't need that sort of watering, so just water when the top of the soil looks real dry. You'll reduce the watering in the fall/winter.

Keep in mind that because these leaves are huge, every little flaw is accentuated with them. Just find that bright spot, water every 3-4 days (or when the top of the soil is dry), hold off fertilizer for 2-6 wks. (when the new leaves are looking good), and keep an eye out for insects/mites. Your Fiddle Leaf Ficus should be fine. They are tough plants.

Good luck with your plant.
drdawg (Dr. Kenneth Ramsey)

The reason it's so hard to lose weight when you get up in age is because your body and your fat have become good friends.
Avatar for Mwiltz
May 16, 2017 11:10 AM CST
Thread OP
Oklahoma City (Zone 7a)
Thank you so much for the quick response and advice. I truly appreciate it. @drdawg
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May 16, 2017 8:09 PM CST
Name: Ken Ramsey
Vero Beach, FL (Zone 10a)
Bromeliad Vegetable Grower Region: United States of America Tropicals Plumerias Orchids
Region: Mississippi Master Gardener: Mississippi Hummingbirder Cat Lover Composter Seller of Garden Stuff
I tip my hat to you. I am only telling you things that I have learned after growing Fiddle Leaf Ficus trees for over 25 yr. I hope that my knowledge helps you with your plant. I am certainly no expert in anything that I grow.
drdawg (Dr. Kenneth Ramsey)

The reason it's so hard to lose weight when you get up in age is because your body and your fat have become good friends.
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