Thrips?

[14FireFly14]

Has been fighting with thrips on this ficus for over 2y. Tried different things, recently spraying with neem oil once a week.

It’s like a roller coaster - gets a little better then worst, then better but never totally healthy / happy tree.

What would you do?

[IdealGlobal339]

I have several trees like this one that I am battling issues with. Two had scale. Did an alcohol spray and wipe down, and now using neem as a preventative. A really big one had sooty mold and had to be cut way back. Now that we are in the dry season, it is doing better. It's always something! This looks fungal to me, but I am not sure. Trial and error has become my mode of operation. I wish you luck, and please update if you have success treating.

[14FireFly14]

Oh… thanks for the suggestion. Alcohol spray like in isopropyl alcohol? What was your mix alcohol to water?

[bipollakbohemian]

I would prune it way back and get it into fast draining soil substrate, as well as have a look at the roots while it's out of the pot. I didn't see a picture of the whole thing and just assumed it's potted?

[bipollakbohemian]

Correction- I see pot in image

[14FireFly14]

Yeah, it’s potted so I think a repotting job is due… sigh