My new fig tree already has symptoms of fig rust!  Last year my Celeste fig was defoliated by fig rust by late July.  It was really really bad.  Here are some pictures of the infected leaves.  It is not bad now but I want to control it.  Can anyone recommend a fungicide to control fig rust?  Will mulch help prevent fig rust?  Does it spread from the soil to the leaves?  I only have soil with  few weeds and no grass around the fig tree just bare soil.


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It seems to appear first on the underside of the leaves first.  Fig rust is probably the biggest limitation to growing figs here.  Rain is forecast tomorrow afternoon late!  The humidity has been high with dew point temperatures in the upper 50s and 60s.  Overnight the air cools  and the water vapor in the air condenses on the leaves and allows this terrible fungus to spread.  Rain is not necessary for spread!  So far the top of the leaves look good, it is the underside of the leaves that show symptoms now.  It is good to remove the infected leaves from a young tree?

 JCA.. where are you located? I am in N.C. , we definitely receive our share of rain. But, I have never seen Fig rust on my in-ground trees. Fred

I am in extreme south Louisiana.  Fig rust is a big time problem here!
I am going to make a 4-4-50 Bordeaux mixture and spray it on the leaves.  Hopefully I can get good control before it spreads too fast!

Does the fig rust fungus come from the soil?

See Article 1.

See Article 2.

See Article 3.

  Neem oil based products are labeled as a fungicide, miticide and insecticide, not bad for being considered organic.  Fortunately I haven't had to opportunity to try it on fig rust but will be trying it on the powdery mildew that my squash leaves get every year.  A couple brands can be found, Schultz has the garden safe label at Target and Walmart and Lowes carries another brand.  If it works for you look for the concentrate, much better deal as it mixes one ounce to a gallon of water.

  Jon