I have an indoor ficus plant. It's been healthy for 10 yrs but suddenly is dripping sap. Any insights?
Question:Sap is forming under the leaves. It looks like small "bubbles". I do not notice any bugs, etc.
Answers:
Sap from leaves of Ficus is usually an indication of scale insects attacking your plant. Try looking closely for "armored insects"... which will appear as brown bumps on the twigs and leaves and can be scraped off with a fingernail.
Scale insects are somewhat difficult to control but there are several options for you..
1) Insecticidal soap- you'll need to place a tarp underneath the canopy before spraying the entire plant thoroughly.
2) Horticultural oil- same procedure as spraying the soap
3) Systemic insecticide- Apply Bayer Advanced Insect Control (contains the active ingredient; Imidacloprid) with water and then soak the roots. The product will the be translocated up into the foilage and kill any sucking insects (except mites). Your scale insects should begin to disappear withing 10 days after treatment.
My professional advice is to use the Imidacloprid. I use it as a precautionary application and have yet to have any problems with aphids, thrips or scales on any of my houseplants.
Hope this solves your problem. Good luck!
-Certified Professional Crop Consultant with over 30 years of experience and a Degree in Plant Science
Try swabbing the drippy area with alcohol on a q-tip. May need to be done once a day for a few days. I had same situation on a orchid and it worked.
Ficus do not like to be moved.If you moved it recently it may cause it to drop leaves and weep or bleed.You can leave it in the new place and let it adjust to new spot or put it back in old place.Ether way Ficus will continue to weep and drop leaves until it adjust and settles in to new environment. Continue to care for as usual.
Either get a bigger pot or transplant it outside. Sound like its root bound and just can't grow. That sap has to feed something you know.
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