December is a time when it’s frosty outside and the radiator in the house is drying up. Ficus benjamina often sheds its leaves in such conditions, especially if it is standing near a window or near heating. The plant seems to be dying. But in reality it just suffers from dry air and stress.
Right now, at the beginning of December, he needs not feeding, but protection. And there is a simple remedy that everyone has in their kitchen.
Take one teaspoon of baking soda. Dissolve it in one liter of warm water. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray the leaves once a week in the morning or evening, but not in the sun.
Baking soda creates a thin protective film on the leaves. It retains moisture, prevents edges from drying out and repels spider mites, which are especially active in winter.
The main thing is not to water it with soda, but only spray it. The roots of the ficus are delicate, and the leaves respond well to such support.
After just two weeks, you will notice that new leaves do not turn yellow, old leaves do not dry out at the edges, and abscission stops even in the most “bald” specimen.
Do this once a week throughout December and January. By February, your ficus will be green, bushy and vibrant, as if winter had never touched it.
It's important not to overdo it. One spray every seven days is enough. Excess alkali can damage the leaves.
