Fig leaves turning yellow, fruit turning red and dropping

7 years ago

Photos at the bottom

Hi. I have a Viotette de Bourdeaux, which was planted 3 years ago in our yard. It has been growing very well until this spring when the leaves started curling and showing yellow blotches:

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/curled-violetta-de-bordeaux-leaves-with-yellow-blotches-dsvw-vd~3785609[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/curled-violetta-de-bordeaux-leaves-with-yellow-blotches-dsvw-vd~3785609)

But the tree kept growing well and set a lot of fruit. Now we've had some heat, including 105+ a few weeks ago, followed by 90+ for the past 2 weeks. Just in the past 10 days, the leaves are turning a greenish-yellow and the figs are turning a brownish red and then drop.

Maintainance: I treat with neem for pests and Cornell formula for fungicide, weekly. It gets fertilized every 6 weeks with a 2-5-5 concoction with micronutrients (I skipped the last round of fertilizer due to the high heat). Big shot of compost/alfalfa tea in the spring.

Any thoughts? Thanks. Photos below

Featured Answer

herman2_gw

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

neem for pests and Cornell formula for fungicide ------ no need for that,in Zone 10 A.

My opinion:Water more often in the Morning,now that the fig is larger,and needs more water.because the top body grew faster than the root system.

Water the soil,not the canopy!

Violette de B is known for small root system and need of more watering in dry climates like yours.

Forgotten to mention ,you check the roots for nematodes,most likely,it is clean but for peace of mind.

If no nematode on roots ,just water much more,and it will recuperate.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

sheckylovejoy
Original Author
7 years ago
We are very dry in terms of rainfall, but we have something like 175-200 days of morning dew a year here (even when temps are in the 90s sometimes), and here comes the disease and pests with it. I also live a few blocks from a giant park, which is the source of many pests and weeds. We had a couple of days over 105 a month ago, and it killed all the powdery mildew and other diseases, so I've cut back on the Cornell

I test the soil regularly for water using a probe and I've never seen a problem with the fig, but I will turn it up a bit. Tomorrow morning I will give it a nice flood

Thanks
Related Discussions
Kumquat leaves turning orange / yellow and dropping
Q
Comments (20)
Hi, I live in Saigon where it is hot and humid. I have a kumquat tree in a pot on my balcony which I got at the end of June last year. It arrived in a black plastic sack and looked a bit sorry. I planted it in a largeish pot with fresh compost and it responded by growing loads of new leaves, and after a couple of months it was covered in flowers which filled the balcony with lovely scent. Then came the fruit. About six weeks ago the leaves turned yellow and a few dropped. The leaves have white/grey flecks, which are a leaf coloration and not mites or anything like that. About two weeks ago it started to flower again and now we have what looks like a sick tree with both flowers and fruit on it. I have attached a link to a pic of the leaf coloration (its in my drop box). Can anyone please advise how to make my tree healthy again? Here is the link in case the URL thingie doesnt work: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rs9koslt4zhsdtc/AAAZfjbzrplMAIo2xJY7npkia?dl=0 Here is a link that might be useful: CIMG1580.jpg This post was edited by eodmatt on Sun, Feb 1, 15 at 6:36
...See More
Will the heat and high humidity cause fig leaves turn yellow???
Q
Comments (18)
Thank all for the helpful advise. Martin, Thank you for confirming that my fig tree yellow leaves issue is not heat related, which allow me to narrow down to possible individual tree caring problem. It looks like that you are living in the same area as I do, I remember you have helped me in the past thread on how to winterize the trees. What type of mulch works the best according to your own experience? Frank, I will add some lime into the soil next spring, Thanks for remind me of this. In zone5, fig is not popular grown in ground. There are same people grow fig in the pots but still is not very popular plant except few people like members in this forum who really like to grow figs. John, Vinnie, Thanks for confirming the growing enviroment of the fig trees. You both are right. Hardy Chicago originally came from sicily Italy where is an island, growing climate should be very humid. It naturally should be able to take moist air without developing disease. I am looking into the overwater issue and on the caution side, spayed the fungicide which I try to use as seldom as possible. Currently, it appears the problem has stopped developing after few yellowed leave fell off. foolishpleasure, Thank you for the Spectracide info. I do have a small vegetable garden and occasionally have blosom rot on those large heirloom tomatoes.
...See More
Most leaves on potted fig turned yellow and dropped
Q
Comments (3)
If they were under watered the leaves would stay green or go brown and dry up and fall off. In most cases they would stay green. If the leaves look burned (brown) around the edges then it may be an over fertilization. However I think your problem is over watering because you mentioned yellowing. I think your neighbor is a good guy and over watered thinking more is better. That or he missed a day and some of the leaves got crispy so he over compensated by over watering afterwords. If you had a good well draining soil mix you could water all you like and never have to worry about over watering.
...See More
Meyers lemon leaves turning yellow & dropping
Q
Comments (39)
Graham, That really stinks that you can't put it outside..I can imagine you wanting to for sure. You are trying your best. I would say you are getting the reverse effect of a lack of DIRECT sunlight. Is the sun way above the window at this angle giving that tree just sunlight, not direct sun? If anything, if that tree can hang on another month or two, which it just might as long as you watch your watering habits and that mix is porous, it will probably actively start growing once the sun dips below the top of your window and start shining directly in it as the sun angle lowers... That is exactly what use to happen to my sisters when she had to keep hers inside all summer. Please, keep us update, As long as the roots are ok, it might have a chance. I just hope the roots will survive long enough without leaves to help them along. Keeping my fingers crossed for ya.
...See More
sheckylovejoy
Original Author
7 years ago
Also, could this be a nitrogen deficiency, since I skipped the last round of fertilizer?
herman2_gw
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Well,what is more important is the soil PH, because if too low ,then you can have all the nitrogen in the soil it does not matter,because the plant can,t use the nitrogen if soil too acidic.

Make sure the soil is close to 7 PH,and check for nematode ,make sure the roots do not have it ,if all good then plant needs only water.

As a matter a of fact fertilizer will make soil acidic,the more you use the more acidic soil become.

you have to compensate ,with limestone powder,when you apply fertilizer,mix it with limestone powder to neutralize the acidity of fertilizer.
Jean
7 years ago
If the tree is in SoCal, the soil is already near neutral. No lime, please.

With their prolonged drought, likely water is needed.

Jean,

who gardened in SoCal for 30-some years, including fig trees.
sheckylovejoy
Original Author
7 years ago
Yes, so cal San Fernando valley. The fig's ph tested at 6.75, which is within the range of N absorption. My water is pretty alkaline at 7.9 so it tends to counteract all the acidity I put into the ground with compost and fertilizer.

the tree gets plenty of water, I test monthly with a probe.

my cure-all is worm tea, but I'm worried a shot of N right now will be a killer in the heat.

i'm going to try a heavy watering in the morning.

my wife is sort of devastated as the figs are turning mostly inedible. Past years were super sweet and tasty (big thumbs up on the V de B) and we had a huge crop coming this year.
herman2_gw
7 years ago
I agree that Violette de Bordeaux makes delicious fruits,i hope you find a way to make your tree thrive again.

Best luck to you!

Fig leaves turning yellow, fruit turning red and dropping

herman2_gw

Comments (7)

sheckylovejoy
Original Author

Related Discussions

sheckylovejoy
Original Author

herman2_gw

Jean

sheckylovejoy
Original Author

herman2_gw

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Fig leaves turning yellow, fruit turning red and dropping

herman2_gw

Comments (7)

sheckylovejoyOriginal Author

Related Discussions

sheckylovejoyOriginal Author

herman2_gw

Jean

sheckylovejoyOriginal Author

herman2_gw

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

sheckylovejoy
Original Author

sheckylovejoy
Original Author

sheckylovejoy
Original Author