Leaf spotting and Warping - Ficus

Hi All,

I was planning to do some root work and defoliation this weekend on one of two ficus and I started noticing that random leaves on both plants were starting to show black and brown spotting with new growth warping.

Here are some pics





2 weeks ago, I did a general spray of a mixture of captan and malathion. Could this be a result of chemical burns because the concentrate is too strong?

I can't spot any visible critter on the plant and have been religiously removing all affected leaves. Should I still go ahead with the root work and defoliation this weekend or shall I wait to make sure the plant is problem free before starting?

Might be Thrips, a small insect that gets into the bud before the leaf opens.

Removing damaged leaves and any fallen leaves will help.

Defoliation and removal of ALL growing tips will also help.

BUT, a systemic insecticide also helps

Thanks Billy. Will treat it per your recommendation.

I'm having the same problem. What's the best insecticide against thrips? Does malathion work?

Red wrote:I'm having the same problem. What's the best insecticide against Thrips? Does Malathion work?

Malathion is a contact insecticide and unlikely to give much control of Thrips because they are buried in the leaves.

I don't know what chemicals or resources you have available but the word "systemic" which means the insecticide is adsorbed by the plant and the plant then becomes toxic to the insects, should appear in the label.

As I said above, hygiene can go a long way, but you must remove all of he infected foliage for all the Ficus.

This articles lists some chemicals but each one has "Cautions." These are toxic and in Florida are regulated as to who can buy and use them.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in638

Thanks for the info!

Looks like i am having the same problem with my ginseng ficus. Removal of all the leaves and buds wont harm the plant? My ginseng ficus are the only ones like this. I use a spray called fungicide 3, its a 3 in one fungicide, miticide, and insecticide on one. The main ingredient is 70% neem oil. Will this rid the plant of these thripes?

Thanks Jake

First of all, ginseng ficus is not a bonsai & never will be. It is just a houseplant. If it has thrips, take it back where you bought it & demand a refund, before they spread to other plants.
Your neem oil preparation will not kill thrips. Only a systemic insecticide will. Two that are sold nowadays are Orthenex and Bayer's Tree & Shrub. I don't know what is available in your state. They are not listed for indoors.
Iris

The ONLY thing I have found to be safe and very effective against Thrips is a product called Monterey Garden insect spray. It just plain works!
-Jay