How Often Should I Water a Potted Weeping Fig Tree?
If you've ever noticed a small tree with a braided trunk in the office of your doctor, dentist or insurance agent, it was likely a weeping fig tree. Known by its Latin name as Ficus benjamina, this tree thrives indoors in pots filled with moss or light soil, and produces shiny green leaves that reach up to 3 inches long. Proper watering of the weeping fig tree will keep it healthy and looking its best. Does this Spark an idea?
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Watering
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Weeping figs respond best to watering that occurs when the tree has dried out a little, but not too much to result in damage. The amount of time between watering will vary depending on the temperature and humidity in your area. When the top 2 inches of the soil feel dry to the touch, it is time to water. This means that the root ball still retains some moisture from the deeper parts of the soil, but it will be running out soon if you don't water again.
Type of Water
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Figs prefer room-temperature water, so don't use cold water from a refrigerator or a cold tap. If you cannot use room-temperature water, lukewarm is still better than cold, which can shock the roots. You can water the plant with your tap water as long as it is not filtered through a water softener or a similar device. Softened water essentially has all of the minerals stripped from it, which is good for your family but will not benefit the tree.
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How to Water
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Water the fig from the base of the plant to avoid water sitting on the leaves and stem. Pour water into the fig's pot until you see excess water start to run from the drainage holes in the planting pot. Stop watering and wait while the excess water runs out. Then empty the tray or bowl you have catching the excess water, so that the soil does not sit in the excess water.
Watering Problems
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Both over- and under-watering can cause the weeping fig tree to drop leaves, which on a smaller or young tree can be devastating for the appearance of the tree. Leaf drop may also be a result of sudden changes in temperature, so make sure you use room-temperature water. Over-watered leaves will also turn yellow and may suffer from root rot, which results when the roots sit in water for too long. Under-watering your Ficus can result in wilting leaves as well.
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