ficus leave problems

[bonsaibeginer]

Hi guys
I have a problem going on with most of my ficus. Leaves are folded over and seem to have some sort of bug or disease.

I've tried white oil and another pesticide but the problem keeps coming back.

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Any suggestions would be great. Thanks

[Newbie.mia]

I had the same issue with my fig I treated with white oil and a pyrethrum spray as well and couldn't solve the issue. I ended up defoliating mine and the new leaves have appeared in good health. I would love to know the answer as well. Mia

[Eusto]

Has there been hale in the area recently? This happened to a few of my trees last year after lots of halestones. I couldn't go out in it to take my bonsais in as the hale was so big. The pots were all full of hale and the icyness of it made the leaves on some of the trees curl up. Defoliation did the trick.

[bonsaibeginer]

Thanks for the replies but no to the hale. I have taken affected leaves off but haven't tried a full defoliation. It appears to be some bug in the leaves but I've tried a spray but they seem to keep coming back.
Maybe a defoliation is in order...

[NathanM]

Thrips. They are a tiny bug. I seem to get attacks with my figs from time to time as well. Full defoliation will get rid of them obviosuly. Try a systemic (one that is absorbed throgh the roots) pesticide, it *may* help prevent them in the future. Bug bites leaf, ingests pesitcide, dies.
If you don't want to fully defolioate, spray with a good pesticde (confidor, maverik, etc), cut all affected leaves off (and ispose of in the bin or somewhere away from your trees) and cross your fingers

[Newbie.mia]

Thanks for that Nathan, I have some confidor here I will try that next time. Mia

[bonsaiLov]

Definitely evil Thrips

[scuba16]

I had them pretty bad they moved through all my figs, removed effected leaves and binned them. Problem solved for now.

[bonsaibeginer]

I think I'll have to go through all my figs this weekend and defoliate. Since sorting my growbed I've got all my figs together and today I realized it has spread to all of them now...
Can i or should i spray Confidor onto defoliated trees? and does it spread to other species as well cos I've only ever got it on figs?

Thanks again for the help