Mortalis

I have recently purchased Jerry Meislik's book on ficus. In it he states that your soil should hold moisture for 24 to 36 hours and also that if it stays moist for 2 or 3 days you may lose roots do to rot. I am already using 100% inorganic soil in the form of 1/8th inch red lava rock. My soil stays moist for 3 or even 4 days! While he never comes out and says it on his website for sure I gather from his website that he uses the same type of red lava and that he waters usually once a day. This makes me wonder is my definition of dry too dry or is it just the humidity of east Texas. Am I letting my ficus go too long without water or do I need to add something less water retentive to my lava rock. I water when a toothpick placed in the soil for 20 minuets comes out with a very small amount of moisture detectable on it.

__________________
"I'm ready to meet my maker, whether my maker is ready to meet me is another matter" W.Church hill.

Salvelinus

Did you recently repot? Is your tree healthy? If the roots are sick or recovering from pruning, they cannot take up moisture from the pot. Also, if you recently pruned anything more than a moderate amount of foliage, the tree won't be able to transpire as much moisture, either. Also, if there is a lot of soil volume that is not populated by roots, that soil will not dry until it evaporates.

Lastly, if your tree is otherwise healthy and it is drying out by the 4th day, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Jerry checks in here from time to time...maybe he will chime in.

__________________
Namaste,

--Scott ><>

"There seems to be no survivors to interview, but I suspect [kamikaze pilots] did not shout 'traytree' the moment before their personal sacrifice." --Herb Gustafson

Mortalis

Yes I did recently repot the tree from being hydroponically grown in leca (fired clay balls) to soil. So far both trees I repoted seem healthy both are growing. I have been growing hydroponically for years. I am trying to find a soil mix that is as healthy as hydroponics. I also tend to over water even with the toothpick method because I have a hard time detecting moisture unless it is very wet. Ficus seems to forgive me for this others not so much. I am trying 100% red lava because you can tell by looking at it when it is approaching dryness and maybe being totally inorganic will preclude over watering. I am hopeful that it is harder to over water in 100% aggregate. I would love to find a mix that would dry in 24 hours so I can just water every day.

__________________
"I'm ready to meet my maker, whether my maker is ready to meet me is another matter" W.Church hill.

Salvelinus

I wouldn't worry too much, then, if your tree was just repotted. It is going to take some time for the roots to populate the soil and pull the moisture out. Just don't water as often and you'll be fine.

Yes, it is harder to overwater in a soil like scoria, because it drains so well and also allows plenty of oxygen to get to the roots. For most of my trees I use a combination of red lava, turface, pine soil conditioner, and pumice, and I have to water daily, once they are growing well in their pots.

__________________
Namaste,

--Scott ><>

"There seems to be no survivors to interview, but I suspect [kamikaze pilots] did not shout 'traytree' the moment before their personal sacrifice." --Herb Gustafson