You take care of it, you breathe and blow it, you water it according to the rules, and it still wastes away and loses its leaves? This doesn’t just happen to amateurs who have just bought their first home flower. Such situations often concern the ficus Benjamina, but not exclusively. It is not without reason that the ficus is considered an oversensitive and “offensive” plant. However, problems do not arise out of thin air and the reason for the plant’s decline is usually a simple mistake in care. What if all the leaves have fallen and it seems dead?
Overwatered or withered plant. Can she be saved?
The most common cause of plant death is overwatering, although sometimes insufficient water supply is to blame. with brown spots, soft and darkening from the tip, it is a sign that excess water is to blame. Dry and falling leaves are a sign that there was too little water. In each case, it is worth looking into the substrate and checking it with a finger or a stick. What if rescue came too late and the plant appears to be dead for good?
Ficus needs special care. What to do to prevent it from losing leaves and growing like crazy? istock / Elena Nikishina
How to check if a plant is alive? All you need is a knife
In the case of plants such as fig trees, i.e. woody plants, the easiest way to check whether there is still life in them is to cut one of the shoots. All you need to do is cut a twig with a sharp and sterile knife and check what its inside looks like. If, after cutting or gently scraping, you only see a brown stick, it means that the plant has died. A stiff and firm stem is a sign that the plant is not dead, and a green interior and visible juices mean that it can be saved.
For other plants, it is crucial to carefully inspect the roots. When they are dark, dry, with visible rot, it is a sign that there is not much that can be done. However, even one healthy root can make a seemingly dead plant regain vigor.
How to save an overwatered or dried plant? Remember two key rules
How to save such a plant? Pull it out of the ground and check the roots. Remove any rotten, damaged or dead ones, remembering to use a sterile and sharp instrument. Set aside to let the wounds heal. Transplant into a new substrate, adapted to the plant’s requirements, and then water it, remembering not to flood the soil and not repeat the mistake of overwatering. Remember about drainage in the pot and saucer. Also remove dead stems and leaves attacked by fungal diseases. In spring and summer, don’t forget about fertilizing, to provide the plant with the ingredients necessary for regeneration and growth.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
