Question
Hi
We got this plant from our work, we replanted it. It started to come to life, now the leafs are turning brown and dropping off. something we are doing wrong, we need some direction.
it stands about 5 to 6 feet tall,in a contaner about one foot round.we water it about once a week.
We will send picks.
Thanks
Cheree


Answer
Cheree,

I have not received your pictures. Does the container it is in have a drainage hole with a drain tray under it? That is an absolute necessity. It sounds like you have overwatered it.  Do not water it again until you can insert a long bamboo skewer into the soil and it comes out dry. Get the long bamboo skewers at the grocery store that you would use for long shish kabobs. This plant needs to get dry between waterings. You should not water it just because it has been a week and you think it is time to water it again. This time of year, because the days are short, most house plants are semi dormant. Their growth has slowed and they are not using as much water as they do during the longer days of summer. An hour after you water you should empty the drain tray so the plant is not sitting with a tray full of water. It does not like sitting in a swamp. If it is too large to pick it up to empty it you can empty it by suctioning the water out with a turkey baster. Then do not water again until you insert a bamboo skewer and it is dry again.

Also move your tree to the sunniest window you have. The more sun it gets the quicker your ficus will recuperate. As it drys out and recuperates if the tips of the branches turn brown or dry out and appear dead simply trim them back using sharp pruners or scissors to green healthy
tissue. I hope it recuperates fast and if you use the bamboo skewer to determine if it needs watered and make sure you empty the drain tray after each watering you will not overwater it again. Good luck.

Darlene