Question
Hello, i wonder if you could help me..
i am worried baout my small fiscus tree. I have had it for about two years and its always been healthy..

but lately i have seen a lot of white fuzzy bits on the soil at the base of the tree and it looks almost like a mould.
I have recently moved to a hard water are and wonder if this is the cause?
I did use some baby bio plant food during the summer.
I hope it isn't sick..hope you can help
Katie

Answer
Are you familiar with Mealbugs?

White and Fuzzy are adjectives that describe this houseplant pest.  They do not appear on the Soil; these are plant lovers and they enjoy a relaxing afternoon spent in the leaf axils and joints of a chosen plant with minimal time spent on soil surfaces.

Alternately, you may be observing a fairly benign Fungus problem.  Another possibility is hardened minerals deposited on the Soil surface (although this is not a 'fuzzy' concern for me).  This could be hardened minerals from your public water supply or collected Salts from your fertilizer.  'Baby Bio Plant Food' would cause that.  Neither is a big emergency, but it's better to avoid chemical Fertilizers for this very reason.  Your Ficus will be much happier, and live longer, with Fish Emulsion or other organic based plant food.

Let me know if this white stuff moves.  Otherwise, you're set.  Thanks for writing.  Keep me posted.