Question
I have two ficus trees.  One is 21 years old and the other is 18 years old.  They are potted and kept outside year round since I live along the Texas Gulf coast.  I don't do much except water them and every other year I repot them and cut back the roots and trim them when they start getting too big to drag into the garage when occasionally a frost is predicted.  They seem to love the humidity and normally do well.  I recently noticed the new leaves are kind of folded in half and stuck together with brown spots.  This is happening to both trees.  I've decided to go out and cut all these leaves off, but if it's fungus or insects what else should I do?  I'd hate to lose them.  Thanks for any help.  Betty

Answer
Hi Betty, its probably a fungus, have you been getting a lot of rain lately, if so, fungal problems are going to arise everywhere, they thrive in the moisture; spray them down with a copper fungicide and they should be fine; Ficus are almost indestructable so don't be too concerned, but  do address it. Check closely for insects but I doubt it, sounds like fungus to me, but should you find evidence of mites or aphids then spray it down with a Horicultural oil, this will take care of that problem. Nick