Question
QUESTION: I've had my benjamina ficus 35 years ... I have moved it numerous times and it has done really well. Occasionally it drops more leaves than I think it should, and it's leaves have "thinned" out. When it does this, is it because it needs fertilizer? Should I "give it a hair cut" as one nursery person suggested? How do I get that nice tight leaf ball back?

ANSWER: Linda,

Your ficus needs more sun. Give it a hair cut and move it to in front of the sunniest window you have or even move it outdoors in a location where it will get sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon when the sun is at it's hottest. These trees grow outside in the ground in full sun in Florida. They really love the sun but they will sunburn if you take them from indoors to full sun outside so you need to protect them from the sun in the afternoon. A half strength dose of Miracle Grow once a month wouldn't hurt either. Good luck.

Darlene

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your advice. My plant is in a sunny window and has been for three years. I have not moved it but it had just begun to look less full in the past month. I have given it a hair cut several times in the past 3 years, but haven't done so in about six months. If I do prune it and it doesn't fill out, do you have any other advice?

Answer
Linda,

Ok, in that case you need to closely examine your plant for insects. The two that could be your problem are spider mites or scale.

For spider mites look for very fine webs in the crotches of the branch.

For scale look for little brown or grey circles that you can flick off with the edge of a sharp knife or your fingernail.

Either problem can cause the tree to drop leaves.

If you find either problem you can kill the insects with rubbing alcohol mixed 50/50 with water and add 2 teaspoons of dish soap per quart of mix. Then put the mix in a sppray bottle and spray the entire tree twice a week for 2 months to kill any eggs that hatch out in the meantime.

If you have more questions feel free to write again. Good luck.

Darlene