Weeping fig loses a lot of leaves

Weeping fig needs an optimal location

The weeping fig (Ficus Benjaminii) is a sensitive houseplant. If there are drafts, lack of light or cold ground at the location, you will lose many leaves in a short time.

Don't panic if the plant sheds leaves. This is normal in winter. This also applies if you recently put the weeping fig on the site. It takes a few days to get used to it.

If you suddenly shed leaves after this time, make sure that the leaves on the tree move slightly. Often, rising air from the heating or drafts is the cause of the leaf fall. Try to stop the air movement. If this is not possible, the plant needs a new location.

Check that the bottom of the pot is cool. Ficus does not like cold "feet". Place it on a styrofoam plate or on a wooden shelf. Make sure that the ambient temperature is evenly between 18 and 20 degrees, in winter it must not be below 15 degrees.

You can recognize a lack of light by long, thin shoots and small leaves. You either need a plant light lamp or another location for the plant.

Plant loses a lot of leaves due to mistakes in watering

A common reason the plant is losing a lot of leaves is over-watering. Check with your fingers that the soil is dry on the surface. If it feels wet, smell it. If you notice a putrid smell, repot the plant immediately. Rinse the old substrate from the roots and trim off rotten roots. Now the plant comes into slightly moist soil and is well watered.

Wait with the next watering until the top layer of soil is dry. An immersion bath is ideal, in which the substrate can soak itself up with water. If the pot is too big to water in a bucket, pour slowly. The water should be distributed in the earth and not run into the coaster immediately.

After two to three hours, remove the water that has accumulated in the planter or saucer after soaking. The roots will rot if you are always in the water. Tip: If some branches have completely lost their foliage, cut them off.

Pests that lead to leaf loss

Weeping figs tend to be attacked by scale insects or mealybugs as well as leaf miners, tripods or spider mites. the lice are clearly visible as brown "pimples" or small white "flakes". You can recognize leaf miner fly larvae by their silvery feeding tunnels, tripods by silvery spots and mites by webs.

The pests only cause the plant to lose many leaves in the event of severe infestation. Be sure to cut off any affected leaves.

Boil 20 grams of dried horsetail in half a liter of water for 20 minutes. After the leaves have cooled and sieved, add four tablespoons of cooking oil and half a teaspoon of washing-up liquid. Then emulsify the mixture in a blender. Spray the broth on the plant every other day.

Tripse and fly larvae do not always go away with this treatment, as the pests live in the leaves. Often only plant suppositories help here.

Proper care of the ficus

With this watch list, you will no longer face the problem of your weeping fig suddenly losing a lot of leaves:

• Choose a bright, draft-free location.
• Place the pot on wood or styrofoam to avoid the cold from the floor.
• Check regularly whether the top layer of soil is dry.
• Place the pot in a dip or pour very slowly.
• Fertilize in summer: every 14 days fertilizer for green plants to add to the water.
• Empty the saucer or planter two hours after soaking.
• Watch out for pests.
• If necessary, spray with a mixture of horsetail tea, oil and detergent.

Your weeping fig is sure to thrive in the right location if you don't make mistakes with watering.