FICUS BENJAMINA -

Why do they lose so many leaves?

By: Gary Antosh

Almost everyone that has ever purchased a Ficus tree (benjamina that is) has had to
drag out the rake, broom or whatever to clean up the leaves that have dropped.

Generally, when you ask a plant professional "Why" this happens you'll receive a
short but simple answer - "It's acclimating". This is true, but a more complete
answer will help you understand what is happening.

Acclimating is normally pigeon holed as a matter of going from high light to lower light or vice-
versa. With Ficus you need to know about it's background. Ficus is truly a creature of habit.

Just as birds migrate south for the winter season, the benjamina comes from an area that has very
distinct seasons. The exception is that the seasons are wet and dry.

How does a Ficus prepare for the dry season?

It sheds its leaves. It reduces the amount of leaves to survive because it will not have enough
water to support them during the dry season. When the rains return, new growth comes out and
the canopy returns.

The survival mechanism for benjamina is leaf drop. It doesn't like changes, it is a creature of habit.
Once you have decided where you are going to place your Ficus (the more light the better), give it
the same lighting, same amount of water and stay on the same schedule.

In case I didn't mention it, if you throw on some fertilizer you can also expect some leave drop.
Botanical Info

The Ficus is one of the most commonly grown indoor plants. There are over 800
species and 2,000 varieties most of which are native to the Old World tropics. It
belongs to the mulberry family Moraceae and grown in many different forms, from
the small vining 'pumila', the broadleaf 'robusta', the giant 'strangler fig', and a host
of others in between.

In their native habitats Ficus can be found growing in full sun and dense forest.

Ficus trees were introduced into the foliage trade in the late 1950's. Today we see
them grown all over the world in pot sizes as small as 3" to large towering trees in
200-300 gallon pots.

The most commonly known Ficus is the variety called 'benjamina'. It is grown
outdoors in bush form for hedges in the south Florida area and acclimated for indoor
use throughout the US, Canada and Europe.

New varieties are being developed, carefully selected and introduced which have
helped improve the use and durability of this versatile indoor plant.

Potting

Ficus as with most tropicals will flourish in almost any well drained soil. Most growers
use a mixture containing peat moss, bark and sand. Most plants can grow in
relatively small containers. Heights of 4-5 feet are not uncommon in a 10" pot.

Water

This is probably the area where Ficus causes the most problems. Ficus generally can
adapt to a wide range of moisture levels. What they want as much as anything is a
CONSISTENT environment. Many people overwater the plant keeping the soil soggy.
Soil should be kept moist but not soggy. The soil should not dry out between
waterings. Ficus grow very well with sub-irrigation.

Light

Ficus can survive low interior light but would prefer bright filtered light. Position Ficus
near or opposite a curtained southern window. Ficus has been used by interior
plantscapers for many years, the plants must be acclimated to their location and
drop leaves as they go through the process.

Fertilizer

When grown indoors Ficus have almost no need to be fertilized. If you must fertilize
any well balanced fertilizer such as 20-20-20 will maintain growth. Pelleted fertilizers
also work read instructions carefully. Indoors plants grow slower and therefore have
lower requirements for food.
Temperature

Ficus enjoy warm conditions between 68-85 daytime temperature. Cold, and drafty
conditions in the 40's and 50's will slow growth considerably.

Humidity & Air Circulation

Humidity above 25-30% is best and some new introductions will tolerate long
periods down to 10-15%.

Insects and Disease

Mealy bugs, aphids and scale are probably the most common insect indoors. Because
of the wide leaves that most Ficus have cleaning the leaves regularly with a damp
cloth to remove dust will help not only in appearance but also in removing of some
pest which tend to gather under the bottom of leaves.

Propagation

Most Ficuses root easily from cuttings, usually under mist. Rooting hormones are
generally not needed. Commercially Ficus are produced from air-layers that are
taken from stock plants. Generally, 24-36" branches are wrapped with moss to help
induce rooting. The air-layers are then cut off after a period of 3-4 weeks and
planted up.
Many of the new varieties are being produced from tissue culture.