Ficus is a genus of tropical plants from the mulberry family. Among these plants there are trees, shrubby forms and creepers. Some species of ficus are not particularly demanding on the conditions of detention, but it may happen that in a completely healthy-looking plant, the leaves begin to fall off. Especially often this problem occurs when growing Benjamin's ficus.
Possible causes of fallen ficus leaves
The most harmless reason for ficus leaves to fall is natural. The life span of Benjamin ficus leaves is about two to three years. A plant that quickly grows a large mass of leaves under the favorable conditions of the greenhouse, for natural reasons, will dump all this foliage at the same time. If ficus was purchased for growing at home, which differ from greenhouses, such leaf fall will be especially noticeable.
By dropping foliage, the plant can respond to any stressful situation: from transplanting to changing the lighting regime in the fall due to reduced daylight hours. It may happen that the ficus does not begin to drop leaves immediately, but some time after transplanting or transferring it from the balcony to the room.
The most common reason that the ficus has begun to rapidly "bald" is the wrong conditions of detention. This plant prefers uniform illumination, constant humidity and temperature. Draft, insufficient air humidity, excessive soil moisture in the pot - any of these factors can lead to undesirable leaf fall.
Ways to stop fallen leaves from ficus
In order to reduce the influence of stress factors, it is worth immediately choosing the right place for the plant in the apartment. Ficus Benjamin, who most often dumps leaves for any reason, should be placed away from central heating batteries, in a place without drafts, with good, but not very bright lighting. Small-leaved ficus should be sprayed with soft water once or twice a day.
In order to improve the condition of a plant that has survived a transplant or transportation, you can spray it with a solution of one ampoule "Epina Extra", diluted in five liters of boiled water.
A plant affected by excessive watering can be saved by carefully removing it from the pot, removing the ground with the root and removing the decayed part of the root system. The injured ficus is best planted in a light mixture of equal amounts of peat, sand and leafy soil and sprayed with an Epina-Extra solution. An ampoule of the drug will be required per liter of water. A small amount of water should be poured into the pan, and charcoal should be scattered over the surface of the soil in the pot. The treated plant should be covered with a glass jar and kept in such conditions for about two weeks.
