New and Unread Tree-Mails
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 amobine May 17, 2020 4:14 PM CST |
| Hi there! First time posting! Hoping to get some help with my 'Audrey' ficus plant that I purchased about 7-8 months ago. Since I purchased it, I haven't had any new growth and its been losing quite a bit of its leaves. I have it in a good spot next to a window that gets a lot of light and when I water it, I take it out of the pot and wash it down outside with the hose so the soil gets fully saturated and drains. I try to do this once every 2 weeks when I feel the soil dry again. Also, the leaves don't look as green and healthy as when I purchased them- they seem to have some white cloudiness on them now. I really LOVE this plant and would love to get it back to health so any recommendations is greatly appreciated! Attaching some pictures of where it lives, and what the leaves look like.      |
California (Zone 9b) CalPolygardener May 17, 2020 10:42 PM CST |
 to the forum!If the shutters are usually closed you should open them, otherwise the location is excellent. Watering sounds good too  The white areas look like it might have spider mites. Do the spots seem "gritty"? Also look for very fine webbing in those areas. If that seems to be the case there are several pesticides you can use to control them. You can take the plant outside and spray the whole plant with Neem oil or Orthene systemic insecticide, both of them have a strong smell so let it dry completely before you bring it back inside. You should see improvement in 2 to 3 weeks. |
San Francisco, CA (Zone 10a) indoorgarden Jan 21, 2021 7:57 PM CST |
| Hi Amobine, I was curious if your plant has recovered? I think my Ficus Audrey has spider mites as well and the damage looks very similar to yours. Looking for hope / any tips you might have. Thank you! |
Name: Will Creed NYC Prof. plant consultant & educator  WillC Jan 23, 2021 7:52 AM CST |
| @indoorgarden - If the leaves of your Audrey have a mottled appearance and have a gritty feel to them, then you will have to rate it for spider mites. Mix a solution of water with a squirt of liquid dish soap. Then, spray all leaf and stem surfaces until they are dripping wet. It is a very messy task, but unless you get complete coverage and make direct contact even with the ones you cannot see, the survivors will reproduce, and the infestation will return. Be sure the solution runs into the crevices where leaf stems attach to the main stems. The presence of pests is often an indication that the plant is under stress for other reasons such as inadequate light or improper watering. Best to investigate that as well as treating the spider mites. Will Creed Horticultural Help, NYC www.HorticulturalHelp.com Contact me directly at [email protected] I now have a book available on indoor plant care |
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