Fig leaves turning yellow, fruit turning red and dropping

10 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

User

10 years ago

last modified: 10 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.

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Comments (7)

sheckylovejoy
Original Author
10 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
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sheckylovejoy
Original Author
10 years ago
Also, could this be a nitrogen deficiency, since I skipped the last round of fertilizer?
User
10 years ago
last modified: 10 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
10 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
10 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.
User
10 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!