Question
QUESTION: Hi.  i got a Ficus tree about 2 months ago.  I have it in a self-watering pot.  It started dropping leaves soon after I got it and now 2/3 of the leaves have dropped.  I also have tiny flying bugs in my house.  They are around the tree but have moved around.  I'm not sure if I should take it outside for the summer to let it grow back or treat it first, and how to treat it.  can you help?

ANSWER: It would help if you could describe your pest, like are they on the leafs and are they white (Mealy Bugs). Or are they like mini flies? If they are mini flies they most likely are gnats, and that is my best guess. You should treat it first by allowing not just the Ficus's soil to dry out but also allow all of your house plants soil to dry out, I would do this once and water it well and let it dry out one last time and then water it well and then water it regularly. If you plan to plant it in the ground outside then you probably won't need to feritlize it but when ever its in a pot it needs to be fertilized once a month, and that should stop the leafs and if it doesn't try using distilled water or rain water.

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QUESTION: I equate the flying bugs to fruit flies.  I just examined the leavse and some have small white spots on the front of the leaf, like dried milk.  I did spray the leaves a few times with a water bottle.  Some leaves also have a brown spot or too.  Dried up leaves as well as newer leaves keep falling.  What kind of fertilizer - I have a liquid Miracle Grow, would that work?  And I was planning to put it outside in it's (self-watering) pot for teh summer, not plant it.  Is that advisable?  Thanks for all your help!

ANSWER: Yeah, I thought they were Fruit Flies also, at first. In fact 55% of people think that's what they are and they don't treat it. Yeah, liquid fertilizer should work.



You should treat it first by allowing not just the Ficus soil to dry out but also allow all of your house plants soil to dry out, I would do this once and water it well and let it dry out one last time and then water it well and then water it regularly.

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QUESTION: Sorry to keep asking questions, but if they look like fruit flies but aren't, what are they?  Liquid fertilizer should help with the dropping leaves but the bugs too?  Can I move it outside (after it consistently warms up) and bring it back inside in the fall?
Thanks

Answer
It's no problem. Well the fertilizer should help to keep it healthy, but the distilled water should keep the leafs from dieing. If they aren't gnats I honestly don't know what they are, of the matter of fact I have gnats invading my plants. I noticed them the same day you asked the question! Well I hope this helps.
Best Wishes,
Samuel