Over watering? Or stress? Help
- jcharb
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I just recently took wires off my ficus from shaping and I let it go un-watered for a week or a few days more. Leaves started to drop so I did a good water through but now I think maybe it's actually overwatered... What is your opinion? Is it stress from trying to shape?
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by jcharb
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- leatherback
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I think it is doing poorly because it is growing in generally poor conditions 
Why do you have it on a coffee table? Typically these are in the middle of a room. Ficus are from the tropics where they dominate the forest canopy: They need as much direct sun as they can get to stay healthy. Note: If you move it into full day sun now, it will get burnt: The leaves need to slowly get used to intense sun again.

Why do you have it on a coffee table? Typically these are in the middle of a room. Ficus are from the tropics where they dominate the forest canopy: They need as much direct sun as they can get to stay healthy. Note: If you move it into full day sun now, it will get burnt: The leaves need to slowly get used to intense sun again.
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- Ivan Mann
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Agreeing with Leatherback completely, my 21 year old ficus moves outdoors in March and stays there until October or even November, in full sun most of the day, with temperatures over 95F or 35 C most of July and August. It loves the sun. I use it for shade for some of the weaker little trees.
Agreeing again, let it get used to strong sunlight slowly.
Agreeing again, let it get used to strong sunlight slowly.
by Ivan Mann
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- jcharb
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So how do I slowly introduce it to more direct sun? If I move it back and forth won't it stress it out? How far from a window should it be then? And, Ivan, do you recommend outdoor transfer for hot dry climates? I live in high desert with 95 highs and usually no clouds.
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- Ivan Mann
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What I do varies depending on the tree, the pot, etc.
Right now i have several maple seedlings, all in seedling pots and medium, sitting under the bench holding the grown ups. Next year I will put some of them under other larger trees with canopy type foliage, on the eastern side for weaker morning sun, western side for stronger afternoon sun. I think the little pots bake the water out faster and heat up the roots too hot, so I watch out for them.
What high desert has 95 degree weather? I'm curious. I assume US. If that were C......
Right now i have several maple seedlings, all in seedling pots and medium, sitting under the bench holding the grown ups. Next year I will put some of them under other larger trees with canopy type foliage, on the eastern side for weaker morning sun, western side for stronger afternoon sun. I think the little pots bake the water out faster and heat up the roots too hot, so I watch out for them.
What high desert has 95 degree weather? I'm curious. I assume US. If that were C......
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- jcharb
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Northern Nevada. Thanks I've got a covered outdoor area that I could get more sun
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- Ivan Mann
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You may have to pay a lot of attention to humidity - or lack of it.
In southern Nevada (Las Vegas) my mother used to hang wet clothes up and the first couple would be dry before she finished with the last couple. If the humidity in the north is the same, that means a lot of watering. It also may mean more organics in the soil to hold more water.
Good luck.
In southern Nevada (Las Vegas) my mother used to hang wet clothes up and the first couple would be dry before she finished with the last couple. If the humidity in the north is the same, that means a lot of watering. It also may mean more organics in the soil to hold more water.
Good luck.
by Ivan Mann
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