Worried about my Rubber Tree & Caladiums

[AlieGirl]

I am new to this site and need help with 2 problems. Any ideas are very much appreciated. I have looked up online with no success and am hoping someone can help me here. :?

First, my Ficus Elastica was totally thriving. I want to say I've had it for a month now. I bought it due to it being the best looking Ficus of the bunch and it being a good indoor plant. I brought it home and put it in a bigger pot. Things seemed to be going well. I have been watering it as directed on a website I looked up. But for some reason the leaves are falling off, from the bottom up.*:( This worries me, bcuz the leaves look fine, except for the very tip of some of the leaves are brown. So I am wondering if I am NOT watering enough. Or if it is possible that I need to buy some indoor plant food. I am not sure. Someone Plz Help...

Second, I have 3 pots, indoors, with thriving Caladiums. The problem is the stupid bugs.*:X I am not sure how often or how much to spray them with the 3 in 1 Insectiside. The directions are NOT very good on the bottle. Just says to use a 7 to 14 day schedule. I sprayed the plants about 3 days ago and the bugs are still around. They seem to be a nat type of bug. They are also starting to go to my Ficus and other plants as well. Anybody have any idea what I need to do to get rid of these PESTS???...

Thnx for any help, in advance.
Alie

[Newt]

Hi Alie,

Sounds like your Ficus Elastica aka rubber plant aka rubber tree is suffering from overwatering.* This could have started before you purchased it.* The clues for me are the combination of falling leaves and the brown tips.* It's best to let the top 2" of soil dry before watering.* If it's not too rootbound you can stick your finger into the soil up to the first knuckle to see if it's dry.* Over time you will just know how often to water.* Never let a houseplant sit in water in the saucer for more then 15 minutes.* If it continues to drop leaves and looks unsightly you can start again by air layering, cutting the main stalk and rooting it in soil or perliet, using a cutting from the stem aka stem cutting or taking cuttings of the side branches and rooting in either perlite or moist potting soil.* The propagating soil should only dry out about an inch below the surface until roots have formed.
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/i..._elastica.html
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art13123.asp

Here's how to propagate houseplants.
http://extension.missouri.edu/xplor/...ort/g06560.htm

It's best not to fertilize a stressed plant.* If you feel you must fertilize, it would be best to use an organic fertilizer such as fish emulsion with sea weed.* That will gently feed the plant.* Synthetic fertilizers contain residual salts that plants don't need and are like sterioids for your plants.* Best to feed gently.

Sounds like the bugs in your caladiums are fungal gnats.* They certainly are pesky, but tend to be harmless unless they are in large quantities.* They are attracted to soil that is kept too moist. Slices of potato can be helpful in getting rid of them.
http://www.extension.umn.edu/project...ngusgnats.html

You can also make an alcohol spray for the soil only.* DO NOT SPRAY ON YOUR PLANTS.
Mix four parts water with three parts rubbing alcohol into a spray bottle. Spray the mixture around topsoil and infested areas.

Sticky traps also help.* Here's how to:
http://www.ghorganics.com/page9.html#Fungus%20Gnats:

More natural remedies for insect pests.
http://www.ghorganics.com/page9.html

Newt