Ficus help needed!

I received a ficus as a gift 2 months ago and it was doing ok until last week. It's now dropping leaves like crazy and the ones on the tree appear to be turning yellow just before they fall. There are some green leaves remaining, but the tree just doesn't look good! I have it in a window that gets a lot of sun in the afternoon.

If anyone has any advice on keeping the ficus healthy, please let me know! It's a beautiful tree and I really want it to survive!

Many thanks!

 

I googled your problem and found some good advice for you. Read the following.

How to Care for Ficus Benjamina

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Ficus Benjamina - the plant you love to hate! The most common complaint is that the leaves turn yellow and fall off, leaving you with bare branches - not very attractive to look at! Here are a few tips to keep your ficus healthy and thriving.


Instructions

Step1
Avoid overwatering your ficus! The most common mistake people make is to add more water once the leaves begin to turn yellow. This is the opposite of what you should do. Always feel the surface of the soil with your finger tip. If it feels dry to the touch one inch below the surface, it is time to water. If the soil still feels moist, withhold water for a day or two.
Step2
Provide ample humidity, especially for new plants. Mist ficus plants at least twice daily.
Step3
Make a humidity tray by filling the plant saucer with gravel. Runoff water will collect in the saucer, which has two benefits: the roots will not sit in standing water - the most common cause of root rot; and the surplus water will evaporate through the plant, providing additional humidity.
Step4
Select a site with bright, filtered light. To determine if the light is bright enough for a ficus, you should be able to see your shadow on the wall behind the area you select. Early-morning or late-afternoon sun is fine, but avoid an area that gets direct sun all day.
Step5
Find a location free from drafts. Place your ficus benjamina away from opening doors or heater vents. Also avoid large windows that change temperature throughout the day.
Step6
Fertilize your ficus monthly throughout the growing season with half-strength liquid fertilizer or slow-release fertilizer according to label directions. Withhold fertilizer in the winter months.
Tips & Warnings

• Ficus will use less water during the winter months, so be sure to check the soil prior to watering.
• If leaves start to yellow and drop, decrease water and increase humidity. Use no fertilizer until the leaf drop stops.
• Use a water meter if you are unable to determine the moisture content in the soil with your finger. This ingenious device measures the amount of moisture present in the soil and provides a reading of dry, wet, and time to water!
• Growing ficus benjamina is not for the faint of heart. These plants require constant surveillance.

 

We also have a big Corn Plant. I only water it evey 10 days or so and it is thriving. Ficus are beautiful trees , bu very high maintennace. Good luck. When we had one we once strung white lights and hung gold balls on it during the holidays and it was very pretty.

 

my ficus is super tempermental, too. if i move it slightly it will drop leaves. if i change the position of the blinds it also loses leaves. i water it about every 3-4 weeks. good luck!