Saving My Boyfriends Ficus Audrey | spider mites, repot, and root rot?

[@jazmine73317]

Yes we’d love to see more “saving my boyfriends ____” 💛

[@carolinefortin3131]

Short story: Fern is back with her ex and she moved back to the place they where living together

[@wildfern]

Thank you hahahah

[@p1ratesarrawesome]

Thank you I was very confused 💕

[@JordanVegBike]

oh lol I was like "damn that was fast, maybe try staying single for once, it's good for you!" haha

[@melissav.2761]

I have a successful Audrey. When I got her, I was told to let her dry out COMPLETELY before watering. Ive been following that rule and have been getting new leaves, she is very happy.

[@Chantalviolet]

Same with mine! They seem to love a little neglect

[@wildfern]

Oh that's good to know! Thank you!!

[@LauraaC]

Good to know! I think I always over-care for my ficus since they're known to be more finicky but my love end up killing them lol

[@bkrbkrl]

Agree. I was told to water it like a cactus: only when completely dry.

[@elliottlamb6806]

Really? I thought they liked a lot of moisture. Perhaps that’s why mine’s dying…

[@pamom42]

This video was very informative! Thank you for showing the whole process clearly, and close enough so that my imperfect senior citizen vision could take it all in. Being instructed as to what to do is important, but being shown how to do it makes it so much more accessible! Thank you for all your efforts to help educate houseplant people, and in my case, for contributing to my mental health!

[@wildfern]

You're so welcome ☺️ I'm really glad you found it helpful & enjoy my videos, I couldn't ask for anything more! x

[@theGMband]

little fyi for people having similar issues: sometimes a big factor that can affect trees is when their collars are burried, as seen here. the collar is the junction between root and stem and when burried, it weakens the tree/plant and opens it to spider mites and other issues. make sure you make them collars breathe! ♥️

[@aliesefitch1099]

So we should leave a little root unburied?

[@theGMband]

@@aliesefitch1099 No need just the whole trunk has to be unburried 😌

[@johnislander7956]

In my experience a good tip fighting against spider mites is to use a vacuum cleaner with low power. Use the small nozzle. It sucks the eggs away from underneath the leaves. This way you don't have to spray the leaves repeatedly with pesticides. The downside of this method is that it doesn't work on thin paper like foliage or you just need to be very careful not to tear them. For figs it works well because they usually have strong leaves.

[@SkyofDread]

As a plant boyfriend, I enjoy this content.

[@emmaoh4394]

That top!! So fern-y 🥰 so glad to hear you're feeling better, can't wait for the vids :)

[@wildfern]

Thank you so much, Emma! x

[@Chantalviolet]

Okay seeing that Shane took such good care of that fiddle leaf fig has me feeling better about getting one. I’ve been thinking about getting on that band wagon but I’ve heard of how big divas they are. I’m quite impressed!!

[@jamielovesjohn]

I have quite a few. The trick is bright light and consistency. And don't move them. They always throw a fit but as long you don't fuss with them and make sure to water when it's about 2/3rds dry, they are good. 💚

[@wildfern]

I'm quite impressed too lol!

[@averilt]

Oh and I love this style of video. I prefer shorter videos focused on one topic, more frequently uploaded, rather than long compilation vids only once in a while. It feels like we're hanging out and it's so much more enjoyable to watch.

[@wildfern]

I'm so glad you liked it! Thanks for the feedback :)

[@jennarose8505]

i’ve literally never commented on a youtube video before but you’ve become my fav plant-tuber and i’m just in love w your vibe and all your plants !! 🥰🥰

[@wildfern]

Ahh thank you so much, Jenna! 💕☺️

[@acaraj]

I'm looking forward to an update on this repot. I have a ficus I've been wanting to put in better soil, but they tend to have fits when they're disturbed so I've been putting it off. I'll wait and see how yours does. lol But early spring is the perfect time for recovery if it decides to have a tantrum. Fingers crossed!

[@wildfern]

You're right, they can be so finicky. I hope this one starts doing well :) I will make an update as soon as there's any action.

[@laurenjohnson5880]

Yes I like this style, I like getting the before and after effect, I'm excited to see how the plants turn out!

[@wildfern]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@NailzByA]

Ahhh I hope this Audrey thrives in the future! You can definitely get this plant back on track! I just rescued a poor Peperomia Ginny from LOWES! It’s so exciting to watch them come back from doing so poorly to growing nice healthy new growth!

[@iamlizm]

Happy that you’re happy 💚💚 I’ve yet to watch your moving vlog, but it’s on my watch later list🥰 I hope the move went well and the transition is going as smooth as possible, you are loved and such an excellent planty lady. Always here for you if you need anything, looking forward to the content you bring to us next 💚💚💚 love always

[@wildfern]

Thank you so much Liz! I really appreciate this

[@Nicole-ge4vg]

I too do not like calling people. Particularly when it's regarding some sort of problem. I will put it off beyond the point that I should have taken care of it. Loved this video, keep em coming!

[@LauraaC]

Yay it makes me so happy to see you so happy! Glad you’re getting settled in and feeling better 😊

[@wildfern]

Thank you!! 😊

[@camillekeepsreading]

You look beautiful and so happy! Seeing you joyful makes me smile! Sending love, Fern

[@wildfern]

Thank you 🥺❤️

[@xheyastronaut]

I have a very nice and fast growing ficus Audrey. I let dry out between waterings and never let it go too long being dry.

[@nicoleham42]

happy to hear you're feeling better this week. enjoy getting settled x

[@saraheaster8414]

Your vids bring me so much happiness! ♥️ I bought my first ficus back in August 2020 (ficus elastica ruby) it had 5 leaves and has given me 6 new ones during the winter here in the U.K. ☺️ pretty proud of myself, hope I manage to care for it just as well during summer!

[@wildfern]

Wow that's incredible! Neither of my elastica's have given me any winter growth - it must love you :)

[@saraheaster8414]

@@wildfern thanks! 🥰 I keep it in a south east window and bottom water it about every 14 days. It was only £3.50 as well. I’m sure yours will show you some love this growing season!

[@katiemariejx]

Hi Fern 💚 This was so informative! I just seen that quite a few of my calatheas have spider mites, I'm definitely going to deal with this! Please keep these planty videos coming! I'm just another new plant mum to this world and yes, I'm quickly becoming addicted 😂 it's a real problem 🙌🌱

[@Blake_YT33]

Glad you’re feeling better! Good luck with the ficus, she looks happier!

[@Kimmilyne]

More videos like this !!! LOVED this one, thank you for posting so frequently

[@LauraaC]

Fern is a plant hero with her frequent uploads lol

[@nataliebeau]

You should do a video called "Plant Dubes". Show a rare/expensive plant and then show a cheap(er) plant that looks like it or similar.

[@wildfern]

Oooo cool idea!!

[@nelsonfrida]

Oh goodness. This was such a good video. I just jumped headfirst into ficus territory. A tiny ficus triangular is with 3 leaves, dbld those in 6 weeks. I have that living with a baby yucca, cause he needed a friend...as well as a tineke and ruby rooming together. I did get some cuttings of the burgundy rubber, too that have taken forever to root, but the leaves have finally flattened out, after being curled so long. So really hopeful...I have a mixing and filling pots to the rim kind of style, as well as a “mad propogation from cuttings renegade gardening” vibe. Ha! All live outside and get a good bit of sun. I’m excited to see your bf’s Audrey bounce back. Your Care and attention alone will give her a boost. Your vids are superbly relaxing...keep up all the good work from New Orleans! 🦚🥷🏻🦋🕷🦾🦚🙏🏼😸

[@carolynallen597]

Another relaxing video, thanks Fern. I use the End All miticide on every plant that comes into my home. I also do a pot flush with hydrogen peroxide. It's working so far. I am also attempting to spray all my plants once a month as a preventative after a winter of pests.

[@judymcintire8061]

Great video! Keep us posted on this plant's process! Ty🤗

[@wildfern]

Will do! Thanks for watching :)

[@PestratorProductions]

This was a great episode. I would love to see you clean up the other plants and an eventual update video on them!

[@VickyHafler]

I would like to see more videos like this. I plan to get some of that Safer... I found webs on three plants today 🤦🏼‍♀️ Thanks. You look so good 😊 happy.

[@leighdnorth]

Watched your moving vlog, loved the longer video and I’m moving soon also, got 100+ plants to move 😩

[@wildfern]

Ahhh good luck to you!! Moving with plants is no joke

[@leighdnorth]

@@wildfern thank you! Ahha I know but your idea with the plastic bins is great for my plant cabinet too

[@donnasmalley3713]

I love the sunny breakfast room! Good luck with Ficus Audry

[@wildfern]

Thank you!!

[@ILovePlants33]

Loved this style video! I'm a newbie and am sure I will have to bring some of mine back from near death, I've already killed 2 plants 😩 Love the plants in your kitchen!

[@jb2wavy]

I love your energy Fern! Thank you for your videos!

[@wildfern]

Thank you so much! And you're more than welcome x

[@sandrapandalesque8903]

hi fern Happy you're feeling better. I hope the spring weather and your mental health will be positively stable! A question. I would have attended to the pest problem first and then repotted is there a specific reason you did it the other way around?

[@wildfern]

Thanks so much, I'm feeling good so I'm hopeful that things just keep looking up :) I think my train of thought was that it just seemed like it would be more messy if the leaves were dripping and everything when I was repotting it. I think it would be fine to do it either way though.

[@averilt]

Haha I have also just realised the same thing about spider mites and ficus plants... Had a whole sesh in my bathroom cleaning off all the leaves very similarly to you. I did use a soft sponge to help me clean off the leaves and stem bc my hands were getting so dry from the castille soap. The audrey is definitely going to enjoy the better soil mix and the biochar!

[@wildfern]

Ohh the sponge is a great idea!

[@brianhardaway9716]

Good job. One thing to always consider with Terracotta potassium They need to be water saturated before use. That entails just filling a pail full with water and sitting the Pot inside until the air bubbles stop . Because of the pores in They absorb the moisture when watering. So instead of You watering the plant, in essence You’re watering the Pot. The mixture is Super. I would wait about 1-2 weeks before giving it a drink though because You just saved it from DROWNING!! After about 2 weeks give it a thorough drink with a diluted mixture of fertilizer, sit it by a Westerly window, and watch Her grow. ✌🏿

[@wildfern]

Thank you so much for the tip!! ☺️

[@denlillagrodan]

Yesss, I wanna see that fiddle leaf fig get some love 💕

[@dreamsofhoya]

This was such a fun video! :) I really like how the dark brows complement your look. The bleached ones were nice too, but harder to see bare-faced. I'm so impressed with Shane's plants! Nonchalantly keeping 2 ficus thriving. Respect. Lol

[@taylorheady4241]

Glad you’re feeling better lovely fern 💕☘️

[@taylorheady4241]

Also can tell how much anxiety or stress you have about talking about your relationship. You don’t owe anything to anyone except your own happiness 💕 don’t let the haters bother you, cuz there will always be negative people, no matter what you do.

[@wildfern]

Thank you! 🤗

[@plantsrforever4150]

We all got your back girl 🤩💖

[@reginajung7456]

You look so happy to be back in your old place 🥰

[@wildfern]

I am!! Thanks 🥰

[@kimbermoss]

Oh you are just a sweet person. I love the way you are trying to save this plant. I’m just giving up on my Fiddle Leaf Fig. I have a Ficus Retusa that is doing ok? But these plants are just so darn finicky. One minute they are fine and the next🤷🏼‍♀️

[@LauraaC]

I have struggled soooo much with ficus! Hopefully I'll get it right some day because they are oh so beautiful

[@Ali-enAdventures]

I really liked this rehab style video! 💚

[@norawright2648]

Love your glasses.where did you purchase them?

[@christinacarter3533]

yes def ficus are prone to spider mites except for my fiddle. she seems to be very hardy against them.

[@Jen.shack93]

Glad you’re feeling better! 💕🌿 I also have the same problem with my partner 😂 He once had a succulent that he watered weekly, which obviously died 😂 Now if he wants a plant, he gets it and I take care of it haha

[@LauraaC]

hahaha my partner and I are the same way! We share an office, and he loves the look of plants around his desk but if he had to take care of them they'd be toast lol

[@HeidiePaola]

So glad I found your channel! 💚

[@mykafoxx]

Hope you are having a great day girl!!!

[@wildfern]

Thank you! So far so good. & same to you ☺️

[@dianeallen6819]

You are such a good plant mama 💚💚💚

[@wildfern]

Thank you, I try 😁

[@knitwit2871]

Your new place looks really cute!

[@wildfern]

Thank you!! 😊 I'm really loving it!

[@cherylfaulkner7991]

Always take care of your health!! But your giving a good effort.

[@Tonii080]

I always enjoy the music you choose.

[@wildfern]

Thank you!! Someone asked for new music in the last video so this one was new hahah. Honestly I did need to update it though.

[@peritapugnandi6624]

I‘m glad you‘re feeling better! ❤️👍 I‘m a bit scared, if you should wipe the pesticide with your bare hands... 😱 Is it really save?

[@wildfern]

Thank you!! And I'm not sure lol! I should probably wear gloves.

[@baihaqisaidi3087]

one of my fav channel about planty thing ☺️

[@wildfern]

So nice of you, thanks!!

[@baihaqisaidi3087]

most welcme 🙂 i m from Malaysia btw

[@perixaa]

Hi Fern thanks for uploading!!

[@wildfern]

My pleasure 🥰

[@franchescadavis13]

Yellow speckling on the leaves are residual effects of spider mites

[@seyloris]

Yay this is perfect timing. I just realized this morning that my calathea has spider mites.

[@wildfern]

Ahh good luck! I hope it makes a full recovery :)

[@katieevans2228]

Like this kinda care video !!! Do another episode

[@plantsrforever4150]

Yea definitely call them bc my pon is always here within a week so something isn’t right definitely call them!

[@ALittleBirdful]

You should check out Bebee Plants channel, she diys her own pon so that could be an option while you wait on the Lechuza order

[@LauraaC]

ooooh that's a good idea, I'm definitely checking that out!

[@vlong7112]

Omg.. I lost the most LOVELY variegated ficus elastica to spider mites 😭 So validating to hear they're prone to those little terrors.

[@wildfern]

Awww RIP! yep, they are!

[@sara-cc7894]

My ficus had spider mites too and now it's doing much better. I think yours will recover pretty fast too

[@wildfern]

I hope so! Thanks for watching 🥰

[@something.about.plants2495]

I’m going to have to check out that safers soap!

[@SometimesLaix]

I would love to see more videos like this! ☺️

[@wildfern]

Perfect! Thanks for watching 🤗

[@alerc20]

Fern! Make a video like a repot with me but with a q&a, maybe kaylee Ellen style? I’d love to know more about you! Your thoughts on different subjects, favorite movies, music, books, maybe some anecdotes, maybe some more about olive, where did she came from? Stuff like that 💕

[@wildfern]

I can definitely do that :)

[@Lia-zg1iq]

That painting in the background is fire 🔥😍☠

[@fignewton0000]

I thought the "long story short" was going to be about Shane's care of the plants lol 🙃🌿💚

[@gbasai19]

Hi... very random question, but I love love your glasses, where are they from?? Thank you :)

[@wildfern]

Glasses USA!

[@laurenjohnson4874]

Maybe I got lucky with my ficus (fiddle leaf, not Audrey - yet!) but mine isn't that picky. I water every 1-1.5 weeks, about the same amount of water. I moved in the middle of New England winter, and she still put out a new set of leaves recently! She sits about five feet from a south facing window, but doubled in size in the east window she was sitting in before I moved. One of my favorite plants for sure! I need to find an Audrey, but smaller ones have been hard to find. NOT down to spend $300 on a tree!

[@LauraaC]

I recently got a small fiddle leaf and I'm hoping I have the luck you did!

[@laurenjohnson4874]

@@LauraaC yay good luck! I feel like good sun and consistent watering are all it needs. I use a little fertilizer almost every time I water, too. Might take a while to adjust from being in a different environment. Mine lost a bunch of leaves and didn’t grow new ones for like 4 months after I bought it, but I stayed consistent with watering and it’s been thriving for over a year now!

[@LauraaC]

@@laurenjohnson4874 Thanks for the tips!

[@rachelm7041]

Update on the plant?

[@claudiagarcia5936]

Omg not seeing you rise out the leaves before repotting gave me so much anxiety 🥴😅 I need help. Great video girl. I always love when you upload new content ☺️

[@D0J0Master]

Speaking of vegan fertilizers, what do you recommend? I have been having some issues finding something in Canada, ecoscraps sounded perfect but its only in the US :(

[@emmasplantz]

loved the video. So satisfying to watch :)

[@wildfern]

Thank you!! 😊

[@MultiVentriloquist]

So weird to see your eyebrows like that now that I’ve seen them blonde 😂

[@wildfern]

hahaha I am ✨impulsive✨

[@oca8616]

Yay, I can hardly wait to do some "pon" projects.

[@ayakam2126]

If I had the energy to change up the soil and re pot a probably pest-infested plant, I would probably hose her down super well in the shower before i pot her in her fresh soil 🥺🪴✨

[@something.about.plants2495]

Yes I vote for more videos like this! 🥰

[@haileyquinn1313]

I love your glasses 😍

[@wildfern]

Thanks! I think they're my favourite ones

[@beatriceeriksson2640]

Do you have problem with spider mites on ficus elastica/tineke as well? I have mine in my "spider mites window sill" (where spider mites comes and goes), but I have never seen anything on the elastica tineke. I love the look of ficus audrey but I have not found a single one in the stores here without a lot of spider mites (and I have seen them in multiple stores). So I will skip them for now in my home.

[@wildfern]

Yes I do! I honesty have had spider mite problems with all of my ficus, including both my elastica tineke and Burgundy. They don't seem to cause a lot of damage since the leaves are quite tough, but still annoying.

[@PatrickGregoryDaniels]

I loved this video and subscribed. You make a good video

[@simonone]

You are so inspiring Lady 💚 🤗

[@morningsideplants4752]

I wonder if I over watered my ficus Audrey! She dieeeeeeeed way too quickly. Great video lol there is hope for ficus still.

[@herlindes1744]

Loved the video

[@carolannbolinger3795]

I would like to make my own potting soil. But I don’t know what to put into it. Please help!

[@wildfern]

I use: orchid bark, coco coir, charcoal, perlite, & pumice :)

[@chrystalsabin4091]

I like this type of video for sure. Great video.

[@wildfern]

Awesome, thank you!

[@cgayas333]

Hey fern where did you order your leutchza pon from?

[@wildfern]

lechuza.ca - I don’t recommend though.

[@audreygrinda393]

Hope your plant will be okay 🤞 I discovered that plant like two weeks ago and... my name is Audrey , did I buy this plant ? Obviously 😂

[@wildfern]

Hahaha so perfect!

[@loriproffer5171]

Did the ficus improve?

[@wildfern]

Not really, lol. It’s a tricky one.

[@elizabethcarlson3634]

What happened to your bleached eyebrows? They looked so amazing!

[@Anna-pd6dc]

I think she just filmed this before that

[@wildfern]

I dyed them back because I'm impulsive 🥺😆

[@emmabakey7117]

This couldn’t have come at a better time! I’m currently dealing with scale and fungus gnats on my ficus elastica ruby 😭 Do you have any advice for those pesky gnats??

[@wildfern]

I've had success watering with diluted hydrogen peroxide - I believe it's a 1:4 hydrogen peroxide to water ratio, but you can google it to confirm. Watering with that solution and then letting the soil dry pretty much completely eliminated them, but if it doesn't I suggest mosquito bits.

[@emmabakey7117]

Amazing, thank you so much! Will definitely give it a try, she’s so alone being quarantined 😭 Also, congratulations on your career path! Wishing you all the best ☺️

[@leandragl]

@@emmabakey7117 Hi Emma! Did you try the hidrogen peroxide? I have the same problem as you did 😔

[@lucybarker5155]

Loved this video, love you!! More like this please :)

[@wildfern]

More to come!

[@miriamvillalobos3136]

Did you change your eyebrows again?

[@wildfern]

Yes lol

[@stephisticated1]

has your ficus audrey ever experienced brown spotting? Not sure how to treat this :/

[@wildfern]

Yes, I figured mine was from watering inconsistency. It can probably be caused by several things though, water quality being another one.

[@feedyoursoul1383]

great kind of video!! :)

[@772003lhanson]

Yes part 2

[@LauraaC]

ditto!!!

[@mathildepoulain7287]

Just got a focus Audrey today! I’m so scared

[@MrAloha76]

Another great vid😎🤙🏾Aloha

[@wildfern]

Thank you!! Aloha :)

[@courtdahl04]

Anyone else feel like they’re playing Sims when the video speeds up but the sound is still on in the background or is that just me?

[@wildfern]

Hahah. It's so weirdly satisfying to listen to

[@jennifermartinez8246]

Update please:)