AusBonsai

Hi Folks

I would like some help with care of Ficus Benjamina as indoor bonsai.

I have a green form and variegated form. The green form is in less light but very rarely losses leaves. The variegated form has lost leaves on some branches and refuses to leaf up. It is in good light and a warm room. It is in a free draining mix and is watered only when it begins to dry out. There are no drafts. Is humidity the problem?

Fred

Hi Fred, Variegated plants have less photosynthetic surface area than their non-variegated equivalents. Therefore they need more light to grow, especially to mobilise and metabolise macro-nutrients. Nutrient shortage in the growing medium, low light and low humidity can combine to limit the nutrient available within the leaf. It will be much easier for you to grow a non-variegated Ficus benjamina, particularly a large leafed, glossy dark leafed form.
cheers
Ash

Hi Ash

Thanks for your advice.

I fully realise that a variegated plant will not be as vigorous as a green leafed one. Lack of nutrition and light are not the problem. Then perhaps it is humidity. But the green ficus is in a lot darker situation, has the same nutrition and humidity.

However there is something I am not doing right.

Fred

Hi Fred

There is really no such thing as an 'indoor' plant, but just those that tolerate it. Ash is right in the comparison to green virsus variegated plants. Also variegated plants are sports or variations of an original and are never or rarely as 'tough' as the original. Plants grow outside and can tolerate indoors. Yours does not seem to tolerate indoors.

Best Regards

Tony

Hi Fred, certain varieties of benji fig are reknowned for dropping leaves and die back in the branches, the varigated forms more so. they need to be kept moist at all times (not wet) when you water spray the foilage aswell. You may find that your ficus is to close to a pain of glass which intensifies the heat. keep you ficus moist and always water the leaves too, well drained mix, good light but away from glass, liquid fert. half strength once a month. give them a break outside in the spring, trim them up and bring them back inside.

as Tony said not really any such thing as a indoor plant.

chris

Hi Tony & Chris

Thanks for your advice. The Ficus is back from the window which has a curtain on it.

I will mist the leaves and see what that does. All the other suggestions you mention are taken care of.

Fred

Benji's can drop leaves when their enviornment is changed suddenly too. So if you change a plants position it will often sulk and drop leaves. You probably had it in the same spot but just a point to add

What about feeding Fred ? Sorry if it's an obvious question but are you fertilising ? Not sure about your case but a lot of indoor plants are not fertilised and just exist.


Tony

But can you get it outside Fred, or is inside all you've got?

Tony