ficus bonsai leaves turning yellow

Bonsai ficus: why are its leaves turning yellow?

if your ficus bonsai leaves turning yellow and wants to know the reason and also the solution then read this article is for you.

Ficus is a Latin name for the fig tree, a tropical tree listed among ornamental plants. But even if turned into bonsai, a Japanese method of making a tree tiny, the ficus will still grow under the same conditions as the fig tree. This small decorative tree is therefore not immune to diseases and pests generally affecting the leaves which, most often, turn yellow.

 

When the bonsai ficus is infected with a disease or invaded by pests, the leaves can dry out and drop, or show burns. It even happens that some diseased leaves change radically in pigmentation and turn black or yellow. When these symptoms appear on your ficus bonsai, it is important to know the causes and to determine what care is needed for the plant to develop.

Mites: the parasites responsible for yellowing leaves

Dust mites are very small insects, almost indistinguishable by the naked eye. They attack not only the roots but also the trunk, stems, and especially the leaves of bonsai ficus. Feeding mainly on the sap of the ficus, these parasites draw on the main strength of the tree to dry it out and weaken it. When the bonsai ficus becomes the prey of the mites, the leaves start to turn yellow and eventually drop. To identify the presence of mites, spray your plant. If you see tiny spider threads appearing, you will have proof that these sap-sucking pests have invaded your bonsai.

Leaves turn yellow from excess water

Despite the fact that the maintenance of bonsai requires watering, it is important to moderate the amount of water poured into the pot to prevent the leaves from showing a yellowish tint. Indeed, too much water harms the development of the roots of the dwarf ficus and affects the leaves. To diagnose the yellowing of leaves caused by excess water, dig up the bonsai and see if the roots are loose and have black spots. If so, the roots of your ficus bonsai have been damaged by too much water in the pot. Otherwise, that is to say, if you discover healthy roots that are white and resistant, it means that the yellowing of the leaves is not caused by too much water for irrigation.

Yellowing of leaves due to varying growing conditions

The bonsai ficus presents some difficulties in adapting to a change of environment. The yellowing of the leaves can therefore be due to the variation in the growing conditions from the place where you acquired the plant to the new environment where you installed it. A priori, the yellowing of the leaves caused by this change of environment is physiological and does not present any serious pathology as long as good maintenance of the bonsai is carried out during the period of adaptation (which lasts only a few weeks). If after this period, the leaves of the ficus have not yet returned to their normal colors, you will need to deepen your diagnosis by looking for other causes of the yellowing of the leaves.

How to take care of a ficus bonsai tree that has yellowed leaves?

If you are taking care of a bonsai for the first time, we recommend that you hire a bonsai professional for the treatment of the yellow leaves of your dwarf ficus. However, you can try to examine your plant yourself, trying to consider the different probable causes that can explain the yellowing of the leaves. Therefore, check regularly for the presence of parasites on the trunk, stems, and leaves. If necessary, examine the roots, being careful not to damage them when you remove them from the ground.

 Finally, so that the period of adaptation of the dwarf ficus to a new environment passes without too much difficulty, water it moderately. Also, choose a location that will provide good sunlight for your bonsai.