Question
Dear Will,
I too have a sick ficus. It's over twenty-five years old and it got zapped by the
cold. The leaves dropped when I moved it梐s they do when you change the
light source桰 swear I see some new sprouts of growth. There are no signs of
bugs. Is this the final end? I'm still watering it regularly, with some miracle grow
in the water. What should I be doing that? How long should I wait? Thanks.  

Answer
Hi Thomas,

If your Ficus got zapped by the cold, then there is no reason to expect bugs to be there or to expect that fertilizer will help.

If the cold was a light frost and did not last for more than a day or so, then there is a good chance that the damage is limited to the foliage, but the tree will recover. If the cold was more severe, then the roots may have been affected and then the recovery could be more problematic. New growth is a good sign that suggests that the roots are okay.

Keep your tree warm and provide as much light as possible. Monitor your watering carefully as it will probably use less water until it has fully recovered. Skip the fertilizer and any other dramatic efforts to force recovery. Let nature take its course while you remain patient with its slow recovery.

Now is a good time to prune it back, as new growth will be at the ends of branches and stems. Pruning will help eliminate a leggy looking tree.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions. If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.

Visit my website at  www.HorticulturalHelp.com
  
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]