Question
I抳e read some of your other postings?thank you so much?you are doing great work!!!!  

Please help me with my Ficus Lyrata!!!  I looks sickly?I always been a big fan of this plant and was finally able to buy one in the size I wanted when I got my own place (So. California).  

So?My ficus is:

-about 9 feet tall,
-single stalk, but branches out from the upper 2/3  
-I bought it about a month ago?
-I bought it from a local nursery after doing some research?
-the ficus had been growing outdoors for last 6-7 months at the nursery with moderate to generous sunlight.  The nursery repotted the ficus before they delivered it?its in a really big terracotta pot with lots of good soil.  They said it would be good in there for the next 5 years?

The nursery was very helpful?and wanted to make sure that my place had enough sunlight for the ficus?the area I have it in now has is a North-West face window?I抦 guessing not exactly ideal for the plant? with moderate temps between 65-75 degrees.  I抳e watered it only three times so far?the first time was a good soak that resulted in some drainage from the bottom of the pot? and I抳e given it plant food once (Miracle Gro).  I抳e wiped down almost every leaf?just the top side?  They told me that the plant would experience some leaf drops because of the change in environment and not to over water it?but I抦 getting really really worried? 

-  lower leafs are falling off from the bottom and moving there way up the branches?
-  most of them turn a yellowish hue?
-  some have dry spots in the middle?
-  the whole plant looks sad and unhappy with the leafs drooping?
-  I notice some of the leafs don抰 feel as healthy as other?not that firm, leathery, bright green feeling?
-  the stems of some of the leafs seem really rubbery and weak? 
-  in total, about 1/3 of the leafs have dropped off?

I bought a 4 ft florescent light kit (2bulbs) with bulbs for indoor plants from Home Depot because I felt that it needed more light?but maybe the light is not powerful enough?I抦 willing to buy one of those more expensive Grow Lights if needed?can you suggest any?    I抣l try to send pictures ASAP?

I抦 not sure what else I抦 doing anything wrong?please save my beloved plant?


Many Thank-You抯 in advance,
Brian


Answer
Brian,

I would start by calling the nursery and discussing the situation with them. What was the diameter of the pot they took it out of and what is the diameter of the pot it is now in? I suggest you invest in a water meter at a garden center. They run $15-20.00 and it will tell you if the soil is dry, moist or wet down in the soil 6-8 inches.

The yellow leaves could be caused by to little or too much water and without being there I can't tell you which is the problem. It sounds like it could need more water but if it was moved to a pot twice as big as the old pot it may be overpotted and too moist.

It has been my experience with ficus plants that the more sun they get the healthier they are. During the summer mine go outdoors. Your flourescent light should be helpful. The closer it is to the plant the better, but not closer than 12 inches from the plant. Be sure to keep the drapes or miniblinds open all day.

When you send your pictures put Ficus Lyrata problems in the subject line and send them to me at [email protected].

Darlene