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It's dropping it's leaves...is it too much water, not enough water? Could it be something to do with the light above? Keep in mind that this is actually a piece of a small ficus that I actually planted in my R. Brev's enclosure. I did this in two of them, and they've done well for a few months. Now, recently, they're dropping their leaves...what do I need to do?

Thanks!
Kristen
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0.1 pygmy leaf
1.0 carpet
1.0 jackson

Kristen-

I would say it has to do with the lighting. Ficus trees will drop there leafs when the light cycle changes. Hope this helps!
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John W. Lucas

CHAMELEON PARADISE

CHAMELEONS ONLINE E-ZINE AUTHOR

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F. pardalis

Ambilobe Locale
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What do I do? Get a new plant? LOL! Seriously, I'm not sure if I should just skip the ficus then, or what. It's her favorite tree...she sleeps there every night, but it's becoming bare...and it's getting much easier for me to find her...hehehe!

Thanks, John...you are always so helpful

Kristen
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0.1 pygmy leaf
1.0 carpet
1.0 jackson

Kristen-

Well most of the time the ficus trees will drop there leafs and re-grow new leafs under the new light source, or die. This is very common when you buy a ficus tree that is kept indoors and then put it outdoors or vise versa. I have them coming out of my ears right now. I just started 4 new trees from the cuttings I got from trimming my large trees that are taking over my outdoor cages!LOL! Funny thing is if I were to bring them indoors they would do the very same thing yours are doing even though they were growing like weeds out doors. Hope this helps!
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John W. Lucas

CHAMELEON PARADISE

CHAMELEONS ONLINE E-ZINE AUTHOR

Feeding Baby Chameleons
Caging Baby Chameleons

F. pardalis

Ambilobe Locale
Nosy Be Locale
Sambava Locale

Rhampholeon uluguruensis

Eggs Incubating-

F. pardalis - Ambilobe Locale

got SILKWORMS!

Photo © Chameleon Paradise 2003

I'd just feed the ficus, check the root layer for molds or rot and leave it alone. It may sprout a nice new crop of leaves.

Thanks Carlton! One questions...I'm definitely not a plant person, so what do I use to feed the ficus? Also, does that require me UN-planting it and taking it out of her enclosure (this is in my pygmy's enclosure)? Thanks!!!

Kristen
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0.1 pygmy leaf
1.0 carpet
1.0 jackson

I would gently dig around the base of the plant to see if the planted substrate is really soggy. If the plant is dead it will uproot fairly easily, but if it is alive (bend the branches...dead ones will break, live ones will not) it will not come free. As for feeding it, I just use general houseplant liquid plant food. There are lots of brands, but you could check with a nursery or do an online search for Ficus weeping fig care.

Thanks again Carlton...just not sure if the plant food is so great to put in there with my leaf's.

Kristen
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0.1 pygmy leaf
1.0 carpet
1.0 jackson

Again, I'd check with a nursery that works with "organically grown" plants. There is most likely a plant food that is not full of lots of unnecesary chemicals. Plant food may be fine if it is liquid and you sort of inject it into the soil with a baster or something rather than leave it on the surface. If the plant is that small I bet you would only need a drop or two at most.

using the chameleon's own dropping as fertilizer? I don't use ANY chemical fertilizer, I just allow the droppings to kinda sit there, but you could also mulch it with sawdust (I guess, don't know much about mulching). Good slow release fertilizer! My ficus and schefs love it!
Heck, I don't even use soil sometimes, per se. Sometimes I'll use a mixture of 25% sand, 25% volcanic rock, and 50% coconut fiber. Granted, this is a bonsai soil mix I used to use with my bonsai, but since I quit the bonsai business, I have lots of pre-mixed soil to work with.
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Victor Gomez
gomezvi.tripod.com/sdchamkeepers/
gomezvi@yahoo.com