Fig with dead leaves

[legoman_iac]

Hey all,

Not sure what to do or where to ask ... a collegue of mine recently bought a fig they keep at work and just realised they forgot about it over the xmas break. The poor thing has spent two weeks inside with no water. All the leaves are dead, dried up and I've just brushed them away. It looks like some branches have a few tips where new leaves might be trying to start afresh, some hint of lime green freshness there.

Do you think this tree stands a chance if I take over and water it daily and soak it weekly?

Is it worth posting images? How resiliant are figs? How much should I slap my collegue?

- Daniel

[Heshian]

Its probably still fine. Just water it and give it time and it may come back.
Sounds like there's still signs of life so give it a good soak and place it in a shady area.
Good luck with it.

[Andrew F]

Dont give it back to her/him, water it, give it full sun, viva la ficus.

[legoman_iac]

Its probably still fine. Just water it and give it time and it may come back.
Sounds like there's still signs of life so give it a good soak and place it in a shady area.
Good luck with it.

Thanks for the hope ... will let you know how it goes.

Dont give it back to her/him, water it, give it full sun, viva la ficus.

Hahaha ... indeed ... by collegue, he's kind of my boss. So full sun or shady area? It usually gets taken outside from about 9am-5pm, and in a mostly sunny spot.

Thanks both for the super quick replies. Fingers and branches crossed!

- Daniel

[MelaQuin]

If it doesn't have any leaves it doesn't matter if it is in sun or shade so put it in the sun. And gently and obliquely tell your boss that his 'pet' is a living tree and needs the night time temperatures as well, the dew, the whole outdoor scene ALL the time. No tree should be inside that much. Or suggest he get another tree and swap them every fortnight so each gets 24/7 in the great outdoors while he is indulging his tree-love on his desk.

[legoman_iac]

Hey MelaQuin,

I've said it many times that the tree needs to be outside but it's a security issue. If left outside it'll likely walk ... which I realise is better than suffocating it but I could only say it so many times. The fig had been going OK up until the break and he does care for it ... He's just new to bonsai. The tree swap is a good idea though not so suited here.

Thanks again for the help. I'll try again to get it outside permanently but I may be barking up the wrong tree (pardon the phrase, haha).

- Daniel

[Rintar]

Be could take one home leave it their bring the other in and swap them that way.

[legoman_iac]

Be could take one home leave it their bring the other in and swap them that way.

Might offer to take them home if they start to struggle, good idea - thanks!

[legoman_iac]

Hey all,

Great news!!! Two things:

- my boss is looking after the bonsai better and taking my advice about watering and dunking, which leads to the next point ...
- the fig has several branches with new leaves!

What an incredible recovery. Thanks again for your help!

- Daniel

[legoman_iac]

Bad News and Good News:

- the "bad": this poor tree has started to suffer again, not getting as much water as it needs and been pulled inside the office for long periods of time
- the "good": my boss has agreed, it needs rehab, so I've been able/allowed to bring it home to what has become my "bonsai hospital" (and hopefully not bonsai graveyard).

Wondering best cause of action, I believe it's been dry and root bound, thinking now it will be outside full time, in full sun from 10am-ish to 4pm-ish, it should start to look a bit happier. Then after a week

a) repot it?
b) should try to keep/transfer the moss that is on there (I have some more spahg moss from a recent air layer, to try the encouragement technique to cover the entire surface)?
c) trim back the dead branches (I see about 5 or so)?
d) all of the above?

Pics below, after bringing it home and giving it a good soak in water then a light misting.





- Daniel

[Andrew Legg]

Daniel,

Figs like to be repotted when it warms up a bit more.Dec to Feb. for ow water and let it dry out a bit between waterings. Don't keep it too wet or it will encourage rot. I see a better tree in there. If you cut it above the first branch it will make the trunk way more interesting in the future. Tip..... If you cut a fig and it starts to bleed, simply mist the cut with water and it will self-seal. You have a potentially nice new leader just waiting on that first branch.

image.jpeg

[shibui]

At this stage just cut off the obviously dead bits then let it recover a bit. Repot in December or Jan when it has started to grow and is a bit healthier. I'd only repot immediately if it is really root bound and difficult to keep watered but it does not look that bad.

b) should try to keep/transfer the moss that is on there (I have some more spahg moss from a recent air layer, to try the encouragement technique to cover the entire surface)?

Not sure what this means?? Moss is usually quite easy to come by and I don't bother trying to save any when repotting.

[Ryceman3]

Bad News and Good News:

b) should try to keep/transfer the moss that is on there (I have some more spahg moss from a recent air layer, to try the encouragement technique to cover the entire surface)?

- Daniel

Nah!
Like shibui said moss just grows generally, particularly if it has been present in the past, but even more important it can make watering a bit more complex/tricky in terms of ensuring it is done effectively, and by the sounds of it the last thing this tree needs is a further complication....

PS: I like Andrew's vert idea....

[legoman_iac]

This forum rocks, thanks all!

Some great tips there, ok, will not repot just yet. Will trim dead branches and think about a new "do" once it is healthier and happier.

Will throw out the moss once repotted.

Thanks again, will check back in a month or two with updated pics.

[Rintar]

When you do chop it now or later, try get the off cut to shoot so you can eventually do the two for one rotation.. If you want to and can of course.