dead + suffering plants (with pics)

[Ficus86]

hi, here are pics of my 2 plants. i've gone away for 2 weeks and this is how i found them when i returned. i don't know what has happened in the meanwhile. can you tell me why did the plant die?
on the other hand, the other plant is suffering. do you know what could i do?

outdoor growing in soil

[wangman]

Wow never seen that before

As for your suffering plant its a male so no loss there

[Ficus86]

yay i know, but i'd like to grow it anyway as it is my first experience. anyway, there are also black dots on leaves, i don't think they are parasites. maybe is it a disease?

[stinkyattic]

You've got a wicked leaf miner or thrip problem. But get that MALE out of there before he blows! Fast! If he hasn't squirted his load already, it's just HOURS away.

Indoors or outdoors? Either way, lightly mist ALL your plants with neem oil or garden safe 'fungicide 3' (same thing). `The next step depends on where you are growing.

[Ficus86]

You've got a wicked leaf miner or thrip problem. But get that MALE out of there before he blows! Fast! If he hasn't squirted his load already, it's just HOURS away.


what's the meaning of "wicked leaf miner or thrip problem"? i'm from italy and i can't understand. btw, it's the only plant i have..there's no risk to impollinate anything. i grow outdoor in soil

[stinkyattic]

Ahh! Sorry, there are two types of bugs that can produce similar problems. I think that you have leaf miners. Thrips are a problem indoors, and the damage is not so extreme looking.

Can you get some neem oil for a protective spray? It will help keep insects from eating your plants. They do not like the taste. You will understand when you smell it- it smells like dirty feet! It also helps keep a damaged plant from losing moisture while it heals.