White Sap on my Ficus

[Zako51]

Good Evening Everyone,

Below is a picture of my Ficus. Earlier this year I had meely bugs and you guys recommended a 50/50 rubbing alcohol and water to fix the problem. It did and I have had it outside all summer thriving. The picture below is from when I originally bought it.

I brought it in for the winter and I was doing some small pruning and noticed white sap all over the place.

What is going on and will the 50/50 solution work for this issue?

 

[Redwood Ryan]

That's what ficus do. That's their way of sealing wounds. It's normal and nothing to worry about.

 

[Zako51]

That's what ficus do. That's their way of sealing wounds. It's normal and nothing to worry about.

How long do they do this for. I got the tree in February and today was the first time I have ever cut/pruned it.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

How long do they do this for. I got the tree in February and today was the first time I have ever cut/pruned it.

Their entire life. It'll bleed for a few minutes then dry up.

 

[aml1014]

Ryan is correct, ficus sap is a white latex.

Aaron

 

[Zako51]

Great, thank you all, can I do some heavy pruning now or should I wait until the end of winter?

 

[aml1014]

Great, thank you all, can I do some heavy pruning now or should I wait until the end of winter?

Best to wait until the tree is growing vigorously, generally in summer. I prune year round, but I have a greenhouse, you could probably get similar growth in winter with some good grow lights.

Aaron

 

[sorce]

They say spray it with cold water to stop the bleeding....

I take the sap on a toothpick and apply it as sealer to old cuts.

It works.

Does wifey not let them in the house?

If you get them inside under a few lights you could work all year round!

Sorce

 

[Zako51]

They say spray it with cold water to stop the bleeding....

I take the sap on a toothpick and apply it as sealer to old cuts.

It works.

Does wifey not let them in the house?

If you get them inside under a few lights you could work all year round!

Sorce

The wife is a bit OCD when it comes to the cleanness of the house. When I first had my ficus indoors and it had meely bugs, her first reaction was to throw it out. So with my garage staying around 60 to 65 degrees, if I purchased a couple T8 bulbs and a stand, would I be able to grow them through the winter?

 

[sorce]

The wife is a bit OCD when it comes to the cleanness of the house. When I first had my ficus indoors and it had meely bugs, her first reaction was to throw it out. So with my garage staying around 60 to 65 degrees, if I purchased a couple T8 bulbs and a stand, would I be able to grow them through the winter?

You could probly trap some light heat and keep em growing.
Safely of course.

A seedling heat may could be useful too.

But I haven't used one.

Sorce

 

[Alain]

Btw: take care a little, latex (ficus sap hence) could be irritant to skin and eyes.