Redwood Ryan
Masterpiece
Sigh, no sign of buds anywhere, and I found mites on this one. I've moved it, and most other trees, outdoors and have been treating it with Carls soap solution in hopes that the bugs will forever be gone.
HUGE Ficus microcarpa
- Thread starter Redwood Ryan
- Start date
KennedyMarx
Omono
I hope the soap and being outside helps it. It would be sad to see such a great piece of material decline.
Redwood Ryan
Masterpiece
It is pretty sad. This is getting rather tiresome though and I'm just about fed up
KennedyMarx
Omono
What kind of soil are you using? Maybe switching to completely inorganic substrate would help out with the pest problems, if you have a lot of pine bark or other organic that the bugs like.
Redwood Ryan
Masterpiece
It's a mixture I've been using from the Meehans for years now. I don't think switching soils would help though, as the mites don't really feed on the soil. Obnoxious little buggers.
Redwood Ryan
Masterpiece
After having this tree outdoors for a few weeks I've noticed that a bud has appeared on the part of the trunk I cut back, good to know this tree has a strong will to live 
Redwood Ryan
Masterpiece
Turned the tree around and it turns out there are quite a few buds on the backside of the cut branch. Guess a little outdoor time can be beneficial 
Redwood Ryan
Masterpiece
Headed to the beach all next week, so this guy is coming indoors. Temperatures are supposed to get down into the low 50s, and I don't want to risk these buds getting damaged, so indoors under the lights he comes.
The buds are more prominent now:
The buds are more prominent now:
MrFancyPlants
Masterpiece
That is a nice trunk you have going, and I think the belly button adds to it. Do you have auto watering set up for when you are gone or are you going to give it a good soak before you go and back off on the lighted hours a day?
Dave
Dave
Redwood Ryan
Masterpiece
I like the belly button too, and it'll be a while before it closes up, so I'll be able to enjoy it for a while
I'll give it a good soak, then cover the soil with aluminum foil or something similar so that the light doesn't dry it out so quickly.
raydomz
Shohin
You could always put a 1" layer of chopped sphagnum (soaked of course) over the soil and put some self-cling wrap over it loosely. It will hold moisture like a dream.
Redwood Ryan
Masterpiece
That was the other thing I was considering, but I was afraid of mold forming, so I'm not so sure.
misfit11
Omono
Turned the tree around and it turns out there are quite a few buds on the backside of the cut branch. Guess a little outdoor time can be beneficial
View attachment 36478
I've always wondered why you choose to keep these guys indoors in the summer. You will see waaaayyy more growth in natural conditions vs artificial. Real sunlight and natural airflow cannot be truly duplicated as much as humans attempt to do so. I also think your pest problems will be reduced if they are outdoors. Although I'm not a tropical guy, I have always read that Ficus sp. will do fine down into the 40s. Obviously, you won't be able to keep them outdoors year round, but I think you'll appreciate the improved progress if they are placed outside during the warmer months of the year.... AND your utility bills will be lower which is something your parents will appreciate.
Cory
tmmason10
Omono
I've always wondered why you choose to keep these guys indoors in the summer. You will see waaaayyy more growth in natural conditions vs artificial. Real sunlight and natural airflow cannot be truly duplicated as much as humans attempt to do so. I also think your pest problems will be reduced if they are outdoors. Although I'm not a tropical guy, I have always read that Ficus sp. will do fine down into the 40s. Obviously, you won't be able to keep them outdoors year round, but I think you'll appreciate the improved progress if they are placed outside during the warmer months of the year.... AND your utility bills will be lower which is something your parents will appreciate.
Cory
I personally can't wait to get them out for the summer. I bought a light and tried to make the winters as best as possible for my tropicals but they will grow better outside in the summer.
Redwood Ryan
Masterpiece
I've always wondered why you choose to keep these guys indoors in the summer. You will see waaaayyy more growth in natural conditions vs artificial. Real sunlight and natural airflow cannot be truly duplicated as much as humans attempt to do so. I also think your pest problems will be reduced if they are outdoors. Although I'm not a tropical guy, I have always read that Ficus sp. will do fine down into the 40s. Obviously, you won't be able to keep them outdoors year round, but I think you'll appreciate the improved progress if they are placed outside during the warmer months of the year.... AND your utility bills will be lower which is something your parents will appreciate.
Cory
Thanks Cory, all of my trees are now outdoors for the summer and they seem to be pretty happy. I released a horde of ladybugs on them as well to hopefully clear up any kind of bug issues they may still have.
I've also been perusing the marijuana growers forums to see how they grow indoors, since they seem to have gotten it down to a science. However, they're mostly concerned with concealing what they're growing
misfit11
Omono
I've also been perusing the marijuana growers forums to see how they grow indoors, since they seem to have gotten it down to a science. However, they're mostly concerned with concealing what they're growing
Yes. Living in northern CA I am all too familiar with the marijuana industry. They do indeed have growing down to a "science". But you are right, they do it out of necessity. They always used to grow outdoors but pressure from law enforcement has moved them inside.
Redwood Ryan
Masterpiece
Returned home from vacation to find this tree is infested with spider mites, yet again. I don't understand, it was just sitting under a light, where did the bugs come from. I swear, I'm about to just throw in the towel and call it quits.
GrimLore
Bonsai Nut alumnus... we miss you
Try the Ortho Malathion - Serious my Wife and I gave up on all the other "remidies" and went to that and we are mite free for the first time in several years at this property
Redwood Ryan
Masterpiece
Try the Ortho Malathion - Serious my Wife and I gave up on all the other "remidies" and went to that and we are mite free for the first time in several years at this property
That's something I've considered, but I'm just so afraid of how the tree will react to the stuff. I've used hort. oils before and the trees reacted by dropping all leaves and crying.
Redwood Ryan
Masterpiece
Update on this one, the buds have turned into full blown branches. I lost some when I thinned them out, but they seem to be making a comeback. This tree isn't even in full sun, it's been sitting in the shade, so I'll be moving it into full sun over the next week to really make it happy.
