Oedema is a common problem, especially in the variegated variations of several species of Ficus. It occurs primarily as a result of over-watering, but light and humidity levels at the time of over-watering, as well as temperature and nutritional considerations, all have their impact on severity of the symptoms.

There is no need to mist your plants. First, it raises humidity for maybe 10 minutes if you're lucky. That leaves 1,430 minutes of the day where humidity is what it is - unaffected. Also, Ficus is a genus well-protected against transpirational loss of moisture in dry conditions by its thick, leathery leaves and the plenitude of cuticular waxes in leaf derma.

I'll leave you a link that was written to help with the cultural considerations of maintaining Ficus in containers for the long term. If you find that helpful, and want to read more about maintaining trees (in general) in containers for the long haul, let me know. It goes into more detail.

Al

Here is a link that might be useful: More about Ficus in containers if you click me ....

here is another picture of my rubber tree.

When your soil is water-retentive, the ratio of soil volume to plant mass is a very important consideration when it comes to avoiding common issues like over-watering and a high concentration of salts in the soil. You have a lot of what appears to be a water-retentive soil and little plant (mass), which makes over-watering virtually inevitable if you're trying to water correctly ....... and the oedema diagnosis highly probable.

Al

Al: Are you telling me that pot is too big? Should I go smaller when I switch out the soil this coming weekend?

Hi Tiff

if you are going with a much more open mix like a 5.1.1, then you can use a pot much bigger than the root mass since over watering is virtually impossible and you will be able to water more frequently at copious amounts while the probability of salt deposit build up is impossible.

If you stay with a much more water retentive mix, such as the one you have your plant in, then a smaller size pot, one just a slight bigger then the root mass would do until your next repot which should not take too long.

Mike

Well I am not looking to, nor do I believe anything needs repotted yet. THe only thing I want to do right now is change out the soil. I am looking forward to this this weekend in the worst way!