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black rust?

My figs in 1 gal, 3 gal; and 5 gal  many have bottom leaves dying from what looks like black rust.   The leaves fall off anyway so I've been pulling them off when I see the infection.  We're having very high humidity.  Is there
\anything I can do without using toxic sprays.   If this doesn't clear up my plants will be leafless. [image] 
 
Thanks,
Soni

Soni, can you take some pics of the black stuff?

Also, is the black stuff just around the ages of the leaves or all over?

Here Mike, IMG_0904.JPG 


Soni,
  I haven't used it yet, but a lot of folks swear by Neem Oil for treating various fungi.
  Also, there are solutions you can make using baking soda, oil, soap and water that are supposedly good for treating rust.   (I used something like this earlier in the spring but ended up burning the leaves because they got too much sun after I sprayed the tree.)
Jim

Hi Sonisoni,
What do you call humidity? Rain ? Really just air humidity ?
If rain is the problem, give them a roof so that water doesn't reach the leaves - they are in pot, so should be fairly easy .

  I meant humidty is in the air like a steam bath. There's no way to change that.  I saw photos of a large commercial fig grower in Malasia. The trees were covered with figs but all totally bare of leaves. The thread was all questioning why were the leaves rmoved, but they didnt answer.  Now I think it may have been about fungus in that high humidity.

Hi Soni, I think in Malasia case, they removed the leaves (and I hope they left few at the tips of each branch) because they want to have more figs and ripen faster...

If your plants are suffering from Fungus because of the humidity maybe you can move them under stronger sun for longer periods of time...

But if it's insect problem...try hand wash every single leaf to see if it's going to stop further damaging the leaves.

I hope they will be back to normal...

 P.S.
Can you take few pics of the backs of the leaves please, I wonder how they look underneath.

Soni, if it makes you  feel any better I am right here with you. It seems as though certain varieties can handle the humidity we have been experiencing 
better than others. Some are just overcome by it but not all. What percentage of your plants have leaves like this?

If they haven't already the leaves with eventually fall off and grow some new ones which may or may not have the same black spots. I have attempted
to control it with Bonide Liquid Copper

which states:

Bonide Liquid Copper Fungicide

A special formulation of copper salts for control of fungal diseases of vegetable, fruit, and ornamental crops. Can be applied up to the day of harvest. Use 1-1/2 teaspoons per gallon. Approved for organic gardening.

 

Bonide's Liquid Copper Fungicide #811 helps protect your flowers from fungus and controls diseases for a broad spectrum of vegetables, fruits, berries, roses, cedar and pine trees

 

Target pests: Powdery mildews, downy mildews, leaf and fruit spots, blights, rust, fruit rots.

http://www.epestsolutions.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=epestsolutions&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=bonide-liquid-copper-fungicide&utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_source=shopzilla

and you can also purchase it at Home Depot and Lowes.








 Thanks Mike for all the info.     I am guessing these leaves have been on 20% of my pots. Almost all have been on the bottom leaves.

Aaron here's underside you asked about.  Would the spores be the black side or the brown?    UGH  another plague next comes the locusts.
 
 Enigma, I  haven't seen any insects and honeydew at all.. 
The top side spots are black but the bottom side looks very different.
IMG_0891.JPG IMG_0892.JPG 


Soni, I would take these leaves to the closest reputable Nursery and talk to the Botanists about this...If it's a disease they can suggest something. See what they think..One thing for sure, I wouldn't ignore it.
I'm curious about how much sun are they getting per day. I think more sun can solve a lot of Fungal, Mildew and maybe, Rust problems...plus you can get lots of fruit too:)
BTW, are those black marking washable, did you try to manually rub them off, see if they come off? Maybe it's Mold and because it's blocking light on the surface , the back is dying off (hence the brown coloring in the back)

You should see Igor's fig plants...they are all under full sun all day long (in small pots)

Most of them are in bright, high shade all day , but only a couple hours of direct sun.  I bet direct sun would help a lot.  I think they are too crowed too.

Soil moisture is too high. 
Do not need drugs. 
Give it more sun and less water(the soil is very dry before watering ),moderate fertilization , it will break and develop roots. 
Give a little patience, within 1 to 2 months, when it is ready,will develop a great leaves, smaller but thicker,bacteria will no longer affect it, as long as you keep the soil wet less
My experience

@ Tsang,  
 I'm so glad to see your advice doesn't require spraying so I will definitely try your advice.
Thanks,
Soni

I'm a grandma living in an arid area, but alcohol will not hurt your plants.  It will kill bugs, but it's a drying agent.  Maybe try that.  This just comes from someone who's been on this earth a while. 

Scuze me while I drink some alcohol.  Do not want rust setting in..........

Suzi

  LOL  Suzi you crack me up.   LOL  I bet your figs I'm older than you!    OK who gets the alcohol me or my figs??   As we speak I'm drinking a Mang-o-rita in a can , by Bud Light.  Should I give some to my fungus infested figs?

Honey, don't waste the good stuff on them.  Rubbing alcohol will just do fine.  Actually after all the drama today, this is a refreshing thread!  Let's see if I last another year, and then I'll take your bet!

Still, about the figs, try everything!  I do think alcohol will help, but mix some cinnamon in it just for kicks and giggles.  Might do the trick!

Suzi

  Really?   do i just dab  alchohol n on the leaves?

Spray it on.  You get that alcohol on any way you wish.  I'd spray it, but you can spit it.  Shrug.  I'm looking forward to the age challenge next year!!  You rock Soni Soni!

A good thing you don't live in south La, almost everyone of my trees in the yard have some leaves that look like that. I don't spray them either. The old ones fall and the new ones grow, the new ones look god for a long time then they get to looking like the old ones eventually and do the same thing. It's just rust from the humidity. 

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