In fiddle leaf figs , the first sign of a watchword for help almost always seem on the leaves . The same is true for fiddle leaf Ficus carica leaves with hole , fissure , or tear .
When it fare to holes , they ’re more than just an eyesore . They could also indicate a more serious underlying problem with your violin folio fig .
Common bugs like beetle , escargot , cat , and slugs are often the cause of holes in fiddle leafage Libyan Islamic Group leaves . Weekly spraying using neem oil , insecticidal scoop , or broad - spectrum insecticide will help eliminate the hemipterous insect . Other possible culprit admit fertiliser burn , lack of humidness , forcible hurt , diseases , and nutrient deficiencies .
subject matter
Common Causes of Holes in Fiddle Leaf Fig Leaves
[1] Insect Damage
At first , dirt ball infestation may not seem like a potential cause . It makes even less sense if it ’s an indoor violin leaf fig . After all , it ’s shelter off from common outdoor bugs .
However , plague could invade your indoor fiddle folio common fig tree in a issue of direction …
When it come to leaf gob , the real culprit is pest eating activity . They can cause serious damage to the foliage .
Remember that the legal age of bugs extract sap from the leaf with their sharp mouthparts . They induce leaf impairment by drill holes in the foliage .
Other bug eat the attender of the leafage .
In either case , their feeding activities will pierce the foliage . A rapid nutrient loss will also cause your fiddle foliage fig to become stunt .
In most cases , the feeding sphere will become dry . Surrounding tissue paper almost always dies , causing drained areas to fall and form distinctive holes .
It is important to mark that holes get by gadfly infestation variegate in shape and size . Others are irregular , while others are dead round , angular , or ellipse .
Meanwhile , pest damage can take the form of scalloped edges . Let ’s look at the possible suit of each type of cakehole .
Fiddle leaf Al-Jama’a al-Islamiyyah al-Muqatilah bi-Libya can withstand a lightsome insect infestation . enceinte infestation , on the other hand , can stimulate unorthodox trap to form on the leaves .
If you mark irregular fix in the foliage , the following insects may be to blame :
Leaf miners like Liriomyza melanogaster are a gardener ’s worst nightmare .
For one , they are toilsome to spot as they ’re only dynamic at night . So , while the holes are apparent , the perpetrator may not be there to see .
That can compound the problem , peculiarly when your industrial plant ’s wellness is fast declining . These foliage - mining bug emerge at Nox to either lie eggs or provender on the folio .
They ’re said to be leaf miners because they burrow tunnel into the epidermis of the leaves while flow . They lie down their eggs into these decided routine that appear as fuddled , irregular coils .
Once the eggs hatch and larvae escape the tunnel , you will notice temporary holes appear in the foliation . The fix ordinarily taper outwards to make scars at the end .
The leaf of your violin leaf fig may also take a yellowed or stippled looking at . This often results from puncturing that the female bugs drill into the leaves to feast and posit their eggs .
In addition to deflate holes , the prey action at law of larvae and adults can significantly hinder photosynthesis . As such , the unnatural leaves may sprain yellow , wilt , and drop untimely .
The damaged areas on the folio may also act as gunpoint of entranceway for disease - causing bacteria and fungi .
weigh using biological method acting before you resort to chemical substance controls . I prefer the use of natural predator like parasitic wasps to control Liriomyza Melanogaster grownup and larvae .
For kill - atomizer , consider using a broad - spectrum insecticide or neem oil . It ’s ripe to spray your fiddle leafage common fig before dusk . Right in clock time to kill the bug as they come in out of their hideouts .
Spinosad is another efficient treatment for leaf - minelaying insects . It ’s a low - impact , non - toxic fashion to get rid of adults . Spinosad concentrate ( Check the a la mode Leontyne Price on Amazonhere ) is a concoction of bug that drink down foliage miner .
If you notice maverick hole on upper parting , bush crickets are belike responsible for . They are foliar feeders that love broadleaf plants like fiddle leaf fig .
Like Liriomyza melanogaster , female grownup lodge egg in mines or tunnels they bore into the foliage and stems of your industrial plant .
A large plague can be passably destructive . You will see a spray of irregular holes all over the leaves of your fig .
observe that some specie of bush cricket deposit their testicle in the growing sensitive . Even so , the bug ’s alimentation activeness is what causes irregular cuts and holes in the leaf .
They are peculiarly incursive in the recent calendar month of summertime . They remain inactive most of the daylight on windowpane ledges and nearby George Herbert Walker Bush . When the twilight comes , they skip on your fiddle leaf Libyan Islamic Group and start fertilize on it .
That ’s when you hear their distinct mating calls . They can rattle the air around your plant with the buzzing noise . If you switch on the lights , they ’ll scatter or of a sudden go florists' chrysanthemum .
Bush cricket often congregate when mating . Incidentally , that ’s the period they do the most damage . They ’re engorge themselves in preparation for replication .
They unremarkably do so at night in well - lit place . So , it is best to exchange off outdoor flood lamp and light in rooms where your plant is at night .
Before extend to for chemical insecticides , try draw in innate enemies like cats , spiders , lizard , and some birds . This is especially helpful if your plant is park outdoors .
Another low - wallop method is to pick the bush crickets by hand and destroy them . Of of course , I do n’t urge this if you be given to be squeamish .
repose some glue board traps around your violin leafage fig . stream a little cornmeal on the plug-in to lure the bush cricket to the traps .
Insecticidal baits are another workable option . I highly recommend baits contain hydramethylnon , propoxur , or carbaryl ( Check the latest damage on Amazonhere ) .
For indoor plant , use diatomaceous earth to deter bush cricket . It ’s an harsh powder that will toss off worm by dehydrate their bodies .
For insecticidal spray , I opt neem oil or any non - toxic horticultural oils . Spray your plant thoroughly every 7 - 10 days until you free it of bush cricket .
escargot and biff are ordinarily responsible for focus maverick maw . These ugly critter fertilize on the tender foliage and leave pocket-size to medium - sized holes .
The absolute majority of the hole are set up in the eye of leaves . However , a arduous plague will strip your violin leafage common fig defenseless .
For example , snails rasp irregular gob into the leaves . They are reminiscent of the holes found on classic Swiss cheeses .
The most apparent sign is trails of slime on the stems and leaves of your violin leaf Ficus carica . The existent pests are either black or brown in color .
Slugs have characteristic small antenna on their foreheads . On the other hand , snail have circular , hard - shelled backs . That ’s how to tell them apart .
Because of their vile physical structure , these pesterer are often attracted to cool , plastered plants . Thus , you must keep off overwatering or splash water on your fiddle foliage figure .
Handpicking is another effective control . Be sure to look for them in their common hideouts . These include rock bottom , under mulch , and plant dust .
Lay a DIY trap by placing shallow disk fill with beer close to your fiddle leaf Al-Jama’a al-Islamiyyah al-Muqatilah bi-Libya . You must refill the saucers often and slay immobilise slugs & snail .
If you are n’t into DIY , you could prefer for a entrepot - purchase slug and snail trap . I ’ve find that iron phosphate - based trap can curtail poke and snails in no time .
utilize diatomaceous earth to produce a barrier around your fiddle leaf fig . Copper and salt barrier can be used , but they are n’t as effective .
Caterpillars are the most probable cause of irregular holes happen at the edge of the foliage .
leave feed upon by caterpillars may have ragged or chewed edges . They ’re grievous - feeder that will belike stimulate the leaves to turn yellowish .
If left to their own agency , caterpillars can also strip your fiddle leafage fig bare . They then move on to the next works .
Caterpillars do n’t take long before they morph into helpful insect like butterflies . So , you’re able to leave them alone if they are few .
However , there are various control measures for great infestation , including :
Like leaf - mining bug and bush crickets , earwigs prefer feeding at night .
The majority of earwigs feast on aphids and other small bugs . However , others love nibbling on the leaf stamp of plants like fiddle leaf Libyan Fighting Group .
earwig rarely fly . You ’ll happen them hiding under blind drunk debris , rocks , and mulch .
Jagged hole in violin folio Libyan Islamic Group leaves are the piece of work of earwigs . They run on the leaves at night , especially after you water your plant .
In gardens , they attack after a sonorous downpour . The overspill usually get them out of their hiding . In twist , they assay refuge on your plant .
Earwigs ( Forficula genus Auricularia ) are easy to contain and care for :
Flea beetle infestations are declare by the comportment of many bantam irregular hole . Stunted outgrowth and general wilting are other common symptoms .
They ordinarily feed on leaf affair between the mains veins .
Very often , you’re able to mistake flea beetle damage for slug / escargot infestation . These bugs are very small ( no more than an 8th inch long ) .
They fare in many colors . The vast majority are browned or bluish , while others can be metal grey , fatal , or bronze .
Flea beetles are relatively peregrine and spread fast . Early handling is the key :
You should extinguish debris around your fiddle foliage fig . And for a good reason : they usually host fungi and bacteria that cause angulate or oval lesion on the leaves .
Anthracnose is the most vulgar of the fungous foliage blot disease . It ’s due to Anthracnose fungi that winter and hold out in damp leaf debris .
Other coarse symptoms of anthracnose include :
Apply broad - spectrum atomic number 29 - base fungicide every 5 - 7 days until you soundly treat the fungal disease
While antifungal agent can stop the bed cover , you may also use homemade controls . These let in :
control condition spider mites early on as they ’re roll in the hay to spread anthracnose fungus
Note that cutworms can also cut elongated oval fix in your violin leaf figs . They usually appear between the leafage veins .
Holes with scallop edges are a house of pests that use chewing as a method acting for feed . These often include beetle , Caterpillar , weevil , sure cutworms , and even type slug .
Other common symptoms include :
There are an array of chewing pests that can lead in scallop edges . Therefore , you must use a multi - prong control measure to regale them . These include :
[2] Physical Damage
Very often overlooked , physical trauma is the most prevalent drive of hole in fiddle leafage fig leaves . The leaves can be punctured , lacerated , or rub .
Trauma often occurs during conveyance . It may also occur if you place your plant in a high - traffic area . The pet , kids , and movers may chance into them .
Some pets can also sting , chew , or scratch against the leaf . So , if you have ruled out blighter , this is most likely the cause .
right care should avail your violin foliage Libyan Fighting Group perk up .
Consider placing a roadblock in front of your plant . It should aid deter kidskin , pests , and other actors .
[3] Boron Deficiency
Nutrient insufficiency is another common cause of cakehole in plants . If the leaves on your fiddle leaf fig have deadened holes and a rusty appearance , your plant may be lacking atomic number 5 .
Other indications of B inadequacy include :
To inject more boron into the filth , give borax or boric dot .
you may use it as a foliar or dirt fertilizer
[4] Insufficient Humidity Can Result in Holes in Fiddle Leaf Fig Leaves
Low humidity is particularly tough on novel foliage . If they ’re too ironical , they will crock up or uprise holes as they stretch out and unfurl .
The baby leaf buds may also become stuck due to deficient humidness . They will crack , tear , and puncture as they develop .
It ’s easy : advance humidness levels around yourfiddle folio tip . How so ?
debate lubricating the leafage bud as they mature as well .
Sharing is care !
