Question
I moved a beautiful 6 ft bushy Ficus and a 4 ft full gorgeous Schefflera about a month ago.  They have both started to shed, Schefflera is almost bare, the ficus is turning yellow and the Schefflera has black spots on the leaves before they fall off.  HELP, have I over watered?

Answer
Hi Angela,

Moving a plant usually means changing its light. Such a change can often have a negative effect on a plant. After all, in nature plants stay in one place their entire lives.

Without knowing how the light has changed as a result of the move, I can only speculate as to what the problem is. When a plant is moved to lower light, it grows more slowly and uses less water. Thus, it is important to reduce your watering accordingly. If you do not, then overwatering and root rot is a common result. The symptoms on your Schefflera are consistent with low light and soil that stays too moist.

Both of your plants should be very close to an unobstructed window. The Ficus requires even more light than the Schefflera.

Water your Ficus only when the top inch of soil feels quite dry. Water the Schefflera only when the top quarter of the soil feels very dry.

As long as your plants are ailing, do not repot or fertilize them. Proper light and water are the only remedies and it will require patience on your part while they slowly recover.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

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