Ficus Salicaria Leaves Curling Up

[KayaMooney]

This has been going on for quite a while now but for some reason It never really came to my attention that it could be harmful.

I have tons of other Willow Leaf Ficus and they aren't showing any of these characteristics but on this one the leaves are curling up in all sorts of odd ways and not forming correctly. The tree Is pushing new growth everywhere and seems healthy so It's very confusing... What could this be?

 

[KennedyMarx]

I've had new growth like that on some of mine. The leaves straightened out as they matured or finished emerging from the buds. From what I can remember it only seemed to happen when I had them indoors and they put out new growth. Outside I haven't noticed any curly emerging leaves.

 

[FrankP999]

I have that on new growth. It seems to straighten out as the leaf matures. Sometimes they leaf has a reddish color also.

 

[KayaMooney]

I have that on new growth. It seems to straighten out as the leaf matures. Sometimes they leaf has a reddish color also.

Well, yeah the reddish colors no surprise... Tons of plants do that but this was still odd considering none of my other Willow Leaf Ficus are doing it.

 

[jk_lewis]

Check the plant carefully for signs of some kind of a sucking insect -- aphid, mealy bug, mites, etc.

 

[amcoffeegirl]

I have several of these little trees and the growth looks perfectly normal.

 

[Poink88]

I think I've seen some similar on mine due to:
- insect damage (as jkl pointed out)
- stress coming out of winter.

Not a major concern IMHO.

 

[amcoffeegirl]

We are talking about the curling leaves right? I believe it is a characteristic of this type of tree. Both the narrow leaf and the '89. Usually happens on new growth then it straightens out.

In the book ficus by jerry meislik it states new leaves formed in the spring and after defoliation may be tinged red or bronze and are often twisted a bit.

 

[KayaMooney]

We are talking about the curling leaves right? I believe it is a characteristic of this type of tree. Both the narrow leaf and the '89. Usually happens on new growth then it straightens out.

In the book ficus by jerry meislik it states new leaves formed in the spring and after defoliation may be tinged red or bronze and are often twisted a bit.

Thanks, I never really thought it was some form of disease or bugs getting to it. I just thought it was weird because I have over 20 other F. Salicaria and they're not doing this at all.

 

[carp]

Ya like the other's have said, its really just a characteristic of the leaf growth. The only time to be concerned about the leaves curling is when they are curled down the center vein. If they're folded up along that vein, it could be signs of thrips. They look different though. I don't think there is any rhyme or reason as to why Salicaria will grow misshapen leaves, but it always happens some time or another and for the most part, never worry about it unless the leaves are yellowing.