I need help with my tree

[Daltonjs99]

My tree is a ficus Benjamina and ever since the middle to end of last month its leaves turned brownish green and folded up but will not fall off even when I gently pull on them. I have carefully watered it to avoid over watering since these few leaves are the only ones here now.

It has been repotted into a proper pot with bonsai soil.

Misting and a full spectrum grow light is in use

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

Welcome to the party! Be careful when you call it "bonsai soil!" LOL That can be a controversial topic in these parts!
A couple of questions:
How long ago did you repot?
What part of the world are you in?

I obtained some F. benjamina in May, and have kept them on my front porch all summer in a ventilated container to keep humidity high. Their growth has been satisfactory, even to the point that they outgrew the original pots, and then started growing roots from the bottom of the new pots.
They can be grown indoors under lights, but to really thrive, keeping them outside is more ideal. It may not be possible for you, but if it is, that would be my recommendation.
Question 3: Are there any green buds anywhere on the tree? If not, I'm afraid it's not good news. It appears dehydrated, but the symptoms of overwatering and underwatering are very similar.
Weeping fig is a very popular tropical species for bonsai, and a good beginning tree. If it is too late for this one, don't give up. Search on this forum for threads about Ficus benjamina. There is a goldmine of information here, and you can study up so that your next effort will be rewarded.

 

[Daltonjs99]

I'm in Kansas and I repotted a few weeks back. There was some new growths trying but they turned the same color rather fast. Haven't spotted any since. I checked the trunk for any signs of life and a found green after a gentle scratch

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

I assume this started after the repot? Did you do any root work, or just put it in with minimal root disturbance? Transplant shock can kill a tree, but as tough as these are it's probably not that, unless you drastically reduced the root ball.
When you scratched the trunk, if there was any moisture, it may still have a chance. But if it was completely dry, you may be looking at starting over with a new one. I don't mean to discourage you, but I am just being straight with you.
In Kansas, (depending on which part) you can probably keep tropicals outside from mid-April through to the end of September. As long as they're not exposed to temperatures below ±45° Fahrenheit, they should be fine.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

Oh, you can add your general location and your growing zone to your profile so you don't have to state it for every question. That way, we automatically know what climate you are in to better customize answers you may have in the future.

 

[Daltonjs99]

I assume this started after the repot? Did you do any root work, or just put it in with minimal root disturbance? Transplant shock can kill a tree, but as tough as these are it's probably not that, unless you drastically reduced the root ball.
When you scratched the trunk, if there was any moisture, it may still have a chance. But if it was completely dry, you may be looking at starting over with a new one. I don't mean to discourage you, but I am just being straight with you.
In Kansas, (depending on which part) you can probably keep tropicals outside from mid-April through to the end of September. As long as they're not exposed to temperatures below ±45° Fahrenheit, they should be fine.

For moisture, yes. I believe there was some in there. The tree was shedding due to lack of proper sunlight before the repot. The soil that was used to repot the first time was to help stabilize it after it took a slight tumble during our move from Colorado. It shed a lot of leaves during that period so I got some stuff from a gardening store with these trees in mind and repotted it again into its state now. It's been this way since. It did try but the sprouts all turned brown when I thought it got overwatered much like the leaves and no new growths have occured

 

[Daltonjs99]

And also, I did not prune any of the roots in the root ball. I just gently removed some of the old soil off of them in order to replace it with the new except for the first repot they kept their original soil from the store in the first pot.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

Was there a stink to the soil when you repotted? And were any of the fine roots white, or were they brown?
A bad smell is an indicator of root rot, most often caused by overwatering. White roots indicate a healthy, living tree. If the smallest roots were brown, then the repot may have been too late.

 

[Daltonjs99]

There wasn't a smell that I could detect. I have a very thick root that is brown but it's being quite adventurous right now in the pot. I think there was still a more white tint in the smaller ones when I saw them but im not sure

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

It could still survive. Don't give up yet. If you have a shady area outside, you might consider putting it there for a few days before gradually acclimating it to more and more sun.

 

[Daltonjs99]

I might do that. You know what species would be a good inside tree?

 

[Daltonjs99]

It could still survive. Don't give up yet. If you have a shady area outside, you might consider putting it there for a few days before gradually acclimating it to more and more sun.

I just gently parted some soil to see the roots. The adventurous one has more grip than the entire tree

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

Well...
...as you know, trees grow outside. Some species (including most ficus) can grow inside, but most won't thrive indoors year round. You won't get any trunk girth, and branching and foliage will be sub par. You might look into fukien tea, schefflera, and a few others. Search the forum for tropicals or tropical species. There are probably hundreds of helpful threads.

 

[Daltonjs99]

But with the pictures of the roots, you think this tree has a chance?

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

Even with the real quality pics you have, it's still hard to say for sure. It's not impossible for your tree to survive. But the reality is that the probability is low. When you mentioned the browning of the leaf buds, my confidence dropped.

 

[Daltonjs99]

Yea, I put it back in our screened porch so a lot of indirect light and humidity is in there. I might start debriefing this tree and start looking for another starter unless this one shows signs of recovery. One more question before I close this... Should I go ahead and prune the dead/dying leaves off and make the tree bald

 

[stubmle]

Yea, I put it back in our screened porch so a lot of indirect light and humidity is in there. I might start debriefing this tree and start looking for another starter unless this one shows signs of recovery. One more question before I close this... Should I go ahead and prune the dead/dying leaves off and make the tree bald

Those leaves are toast, no harm in removing them now I think.
Assuming it's not too late and the tree is still alive at all, that screened porch sounds like a good idea for the time being. Do watch the watering though- the tree will not be drinking as much without leaves. Same goes for misting- not much point as there is no foliage to absorb the water.
You can use a chopstick or similar untreated piece of wood to monitor soil moisture- just leave it stuck in the soil a few inches and pull it out to check before watering. Stick is wet? Don't water yet. Stick is dry? Time to water!

 

[Daltonjs99]

Thanks for the help!

 

[vesper818]

F. Benjamin's can be so cranky, and drop leaves if you look at them cross eyed. If you follow above advice, and don't practice helicopter gardening, it'll be shooting out new leaves shortly.
FWIW, the other usual Ficus sp used for bonsai are really forgiving.

 

[Paradox]

Those branches and trunk look dessicated.
If so, there might not be much hope for this tree....sorry