QuestionI have had this fiddle leaf fig sitting in the same spot for 2 years. Just recently it has become very unhappy, dropping leaves, yellowing and generally looking as if it has given up the will to live!
It has not been repotted, it has tons of light as it sits next to a window which has sun until 11am but continues to get plenty of light all day. I don't water it but once every 8 to 10 days and fertilize once a month with Eleanor's VF-11 my favorite all pupose feeder. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance~
AnswerHi Nancy,
The light seems appropriate for your Ficus lyrata. Without knowing the pot size and soil composition, it is hard to say if your watering schedule is appropriate. However, my guess is that watering is a problem. If the watering schedule is a bit too much or too little, then it will gradually affect the health of the roots. Eventually, the decline of the roots shows up as leaves starting to yellow and fall off.
In most cases, it is not allowing the top quarter of the soil to dry out in between waterings that causes this problem. Even more commonly, moving the plant into a pot that is too large will cause the roots to rot and the leaves to die back.
If this is the case, it may be too late to salvage the plant. I hope not. If you can send me a photo of the plant and its pot, that may give me some additional information to work with. Use my email address below to send photos.
In the interim, stop fertilizing as plant food is intended only for healthy, vigorously growing plants.
Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC
You can E-mail me directly at:
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If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.
