narrow leaf ficus is stressed/stunted

Hello All!!!
I am getting concerned about my oldest most loved tree...
I have a narrow leaf ficus which has been in my collection the longest the spring here in VA very odd for most springs here....wet, cool, dry, warm, etc...welll that may be normal:shock: 
The ficus appears to be shocked or stunted I have not seen any new growth now for a Month but the tree appears to be fine otherwise.
its not dropping leaves nor is it using water like it should...soil stays wetter than normal....bugs dont appear to be a issue.
I am going to attach some pics.
Any thoughts tips or hints are appreciated!
Bryan in Va.
https://servimg.com/view/18414657/9

another pic

It's a bit difficult to see from that pic. Can you take a better resolution image for us please.

Larger, higher resolution pics will help.

Meanwhile we also need more information.

1. How long have you had this tree?
2. Where do you keep it -- indoors or out?
3. When was the last time it had any root work done?
4. When was it last repotted (with or without root work?)
5. Have you fertilized? How and with what?

Figs really prefer dry feet. If it is not using water, stop watering it until it is DRY. Then water and then let it get DRY again, etc.

The willow-leaf fig is one of the world's toughest trees. But it will often thumb its nose at you and sulk for unknown reasons, then drop all its leaves.

Guys,
i tried to upload more photos but it kept on using the same pic.....I can email to someone if need be...but anyways....
The tree has been with me for 8 yrs at least....it was repotted last summer....did wonderful till this spring.
Its kept indoors overwinter and outside during spring summer and fall...
Never really done any root work to it.
Fertilized with liquid miracle gro several times this year so far.....added to water.
Thanks!
Bryan

any other thoughts?

I would guess too much water and/or too much organics in the soil.  Either be real careful w the water or emergency repot.  This should be exploding with growth right now.  Hard to say for sure without a better picture.

Hey I'd gladly take it and get it healthy for you.....then keep it  

Can you describe the materials and process that went in to repotting? Taking a second look at the photo it looks like there is compacted organic muck right around the trunk. I think you might need to repot it in some good inorganic stuff. And, fortunately it is the right time of year. I've had good luck with turface, lava and just a bit of long grained orchid sphagnum.

That looks like a real nice trunk you have there, so it would be a shame to lose it. Good luck.

David

Ryan wrote:Hey I'd gladly take it and get it healthy for you.....then keep it  

Well do you have a good trade? 
Bryan

MrFancyPlants wrote:Can you describe the materials and process that went in to repotting? Taking a second look at the photo it looks like there is compacted organic muck right around the trunk.  I think you might need to repot it in some good inorganic stuff. And, fortunately it is the right time of year.  I've had good luck with turface, lava and just a bit of long grained orchid sphagnum.

That looks like a real nice trunk you have there, so it would be a shame to lose it.  Good luck.

David

I have got several bags of this http://www.amazon.com/Hoffman-10708-Bonsai-Soil-Quarts/dp/B00147Z8S2 so a good re-potting may be what the doctor ordered!
Right now I am letting it dry out fairly good as to avoid the wet feet syndrome.
I will keep you all posted....
Bryan

rrubberbandman wrote:

Ryan wrote:Hey I'd gladly take it and get it healthy for you.....then keep it  

Well do you have a good trade? 
Bryan

LOL sadly not, just green cash  

Goood Morning,
Well I did the re-pot of the ficus this morning.....and much to my disliking i noticed it had wet feet rot in the root system....sides and interior and top of root system appeared fine.
This is more than likely much my fault due to the mix i used last year being to high % of organic soil..... 
So now its in a more INorganic mix now .....gave some superthrive after repot and now only time will tell.
Thanks everyone...
Bryan

Did you screen the soil before putting it in the pot?

You might consider mixing your own soil. Material are readily available the the cost is much less than purchasing on line. And you know just what you have.

DougB wrote:Did you screen the soil before putting it in the pot?

You might consider mixing your own soil.  Material are readily available the the cost is much less than purchasing on line.  And you know just what you have.

No...I didnt screen soil  but did have it in a large plastic container and added in small cupfuls.
hopefully it will be much happier now.!
Do you all screen to remove foreign objects???etc?
Bryan

Screening is done to filter out particles that are too big and more importantly to discard the particles that are too small. The "modern" substrate lets lots of air in to the roots and can require more frequent watering, but with yours in a weakened state, it will still be a while between waterings until there is enough new growth so that the transpiration starts drying out the soil faster.

That is great trunk. I would just let it recover, put some grow lights on it over the winter, and maybe approach graft some branches back onto the ideal spots on the trunk next summer.

rrubberbandman wrote:
Do you all screen to remove foreign objects???etc?
Bryan

The main purpose of screening is to remove fine particles that will settle to the bottom of the pot, impede drainage, and cause root rot. I can't tolerate dust, so I wash my soil components in a colander, both bonsai & orchids. Most commercial potting mixes need screening. The properly screened ones are expensive, so you might as well mix your own if you are going to own a fair number of bonsai.
Iris

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh......the learning processes go on...... 
Thanks!
Bryan