Did I let my Ficus get too Cold?

[Just Rosie]

Hey Y'all,
A couple of days ago, the sun was out, the birds were singing, so I thought it would be a good idea to water my "Tiger Bark" (we think) ficus outside. Mind you, it was about 52F, and I had remembered reading somewhere about "above 50F" (oops. should have researched more) was safe for my tree. So it stayed out there for maybe 3 hours, until the temp dropped to 50F and I brought it inside. Almost immediately (either that day or the next) I noticed some of the new growth was brown/black. But all of the established leaves were ok. Today I noticed there are some leaves that are browning. Did I freeze my tree? Do you think it will be ok? Will only time tell? I'm mad because it seemed to be doing well with new growth, too.

 

[coh]

I leave various ficus species out in temps as low as 40 F.

Did you take this tree from inside and put it out directly in the sun? You might have sunburned the foliage.

 

[Colorado]

I’d defer to the ficus experts, but I highly doubt this is the result of being exposed to 50* temperatures for 3 hours. I suppose it’s possible, but I really doubt it.

I’ve left ficus microcarpa outside overnight in the mid 40s for multiple nights in a row with no issue.

Looks more fungal or root/water related to me.

 

[BunjaeKorea]

What soil is this in?
Seems to be caused by moisture and /or poor ventilation

 

[Vance Wood]

Some Ficus do not like to be moved. Some will protest by dropping leaves. But; they all come back.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Most likely a touch of sunburn. As Vance said, Ficus don't "like" to be moved around. Leaves are adapted to a particular light level. If light level changes, the current leaves drop and a new set adapted to the new level sprout.

We tend to put our Ficus outside in spring when temps generally will be reliably above about 50 F, and leave them out. They drop old leaves, make new and grow all summer. Then in autumn we bring them in, and keep them inside for the winter.

Most ficus are fine into the 40's F. But at temperature below 50 F they quit growing. They go "semi-dormant". Chill them and it may take a couple weeks before they start growing again.

 

[penumbra]

Sun scorch.

 

[Just Rosie]

What soil is this in?
Seems to be caused by moisture and /or poor ventilation

The soil is definitely not of good quality; it’s one of those mallsai you can get at hardware stores planted in potting soil or something similar. I plan to repot in spring.

Most likely a touch of sunburn. As Vance said, Ficus don't "like" to be moved around. Leaves are adapted to a particular light level. If light level changes, the current leaves drop and a new set adapted to the new level sprout.

I’m relieved that everyone is thinking sunburn. I’ll admit it may have gotten an hour or 2 of direct sunlight.
As long as things don’t progress, I suppose it’s safe to assume sunburn?

Thank you all for your help! I thought my little ficus might like a little change of scenery, but I guess not!

 

[BunjaeKorea]

The soil is definitely not of good quality; it’s one of those mallsai you can get at hardware stores planted in potting soil or something similar. I plan to repot in spring.


I’m relieved that everyone is thinking sunburn. I’ll admit it may have gotten an hour or 2 of direct sunlight.
As long as things don’t progress, I suppose it’s safe to assume sunburn?

Thank you all for your help! I thought my little ficus might like a little change of scenery, but I guess not!

Repotting in spring sounds like a good plan. The new growth seems fairly healthy so it should be just fine with a little tlc spring next year.

 

[canoeguide]

50f isn't a problem. Most ficus are reliably fine down to at least 45f, if not 40f.

The key with moving these from inside to outside (and in reverse) is to ease them into the transition over a period of 2 or more weeks. This helps to avoid leaf drop and sunburn. In the fall, before bringing them indoors, move them to half shade for a week, then full shade for at least another. In the spring, when moving them outside, put them in full shade outside for a week or more before half shade and full sun.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I've got ficus bonsai, ficus in large landscape pots, and ficus in my landscape. None of them seem too concerned with cold weather until it gets close to freezing. Certainly they can go for days / weeks if daytime temps are in the 50's, as long as it doesn't hit low 30's at night.

 

[The Angry Vegan]

Sun burn.

 

[sorce]

little change of scenery

A summer outside is good but one move is best.
When it remains over 50F in spring take em out.
And when it drops below 50F bring em in.

It doesn't make sense to "squeeze out more sunshine" down into lower F because then the change to inside is like 30degrees, from 40 to 70...that awful change negates any eked out sunshine.

Also, since pests tend to find their way inside Amy chance they get, it's best to thoroughly check for them once, since a winter indoors with pests is usually one of great loss.

Sorce