Ficus Benjamina Leaf problem

[RJNick]

I brought my varigated Ficus benjamina in a few weeks ago when the weather here started cooling off to 45 oF nightime lows. They are now in my bedroom, in a window and on a humidity tray. The room stays between 65 and 70 oF. Their pots seem to be staying wet much longer and I have slowed down watering to compensate for this and not fertilized in the past 4 weeks.

Attached find brown spots that have appeared on the leaves. It starts on the edge and progresses inwards but I cannot seem to find and insects on either the tops or undersides of the leaves. Is it an insect or a fungus? Or perhaps a reaction to being brought indoors? Any help would be great. Photos are of top and bottoms of leaves.

 

[edprocoat]

Looks like you have spider mite damage. Spider mites are fairly common when you bring them indoors. Insecticidal soap takes care of them and is non-toxic and safe to use indoors, no smell either.

ed

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I wouldn't say it's spider mite damage. Looks more like leaf burn of some sort.

 

[edprocoat]

I wouldn't say it's spider mite damage. Looks more like leaf burn of some sort.

Could be Ryan, I had some little white spider mites that did damage closely resembling this on my Taiwan Ficus. It was concentrated at the edges of the leaves, which would turn brown then the next day it would dry out and become thin enough to see through.

ed

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Could be Ryan, I had some little white spider mites that did damage closely resembling this on my Taiwan Ficus. It was concentrated at the edges of the leaves, which would turn brown then the next day it would dry out and become thin enough to see through.

ed

Spider mite damage, when I get it, is more stipling of the leaves.

 

[AlBooBoo]

Hi there

I did some research on the web as this made me a bit curious as i have some benjaminas my self.. i found this site and if you check the "Anthracnose" and "Xanthomonas" section and google it i find the symptoms to be similar..

http://www.gardenguides.com/130692-ficus-benjamina-disease.html

 

[RJNick]

Thanks.

I looked under the leaves with a bright light and shook them over a white paper but didn't see any insects. I'll start with a Captan spray of the leaves ( I need to also treat my outdoor plants, before relegating them to the shed for the einter) . If the problem continues, would it be OK to treat with 0.5% acetimiprid (Bog be Gone - Ortho)? I used this quite effectively to kill mites on my azaleas.