Good morning! My name is Gia, I live in Central Jersey and I'm really new at caring for a fig tree. On Saturday my mother in law gave me a fig tree that was given to her. I really don't know what I'm doing and I'm afraid that I might be hurting the tree. My mil kept the tree in a bucket with just water and without sun, I have no idea how long it was kept this way. As soon as I got it, I put it in a container with soil and set it in my back porch so it can get sun. I've been watering it everyday since I got it but the leaves are all droopy and curling up a bit. I have no idea what this means, if anyone out there can help me I would greatly appreciate it. I would really like to save this tree if at all possible.

GIA,

Welcome to the forum, Gia

Can you post pictures of the tree? Was it a potted plant keep in a bucket with water or was it a cutting? Part of the problem may be that you have taken it from partial sun to full sun without giving it a gradual adjustment to the intense rays of the sun. You must do that or it will burn the leaves and possibly kill the plant.

Figluvah, thank you for the advice, going to move it into the shade now.

Go4broek, thank you for the warm welcome. I'm going to take some pictures on my phone and post them up. It was kept in a old 5 gallon paint bucket with just water. Before that, I have no idea if it was potted or if it was planted in ground.

GIA, Hi!  Welcome!

Pami, thanks!!! I need all the help I can get.

Here are some pictures, sorry the picture quality is crappy. I have to find my camera.

GIA

That is awesome, I'm so glad I got over my shyness and decided to ask for help. Thank you!!!!

Also, I've been bringing the tree into the house at night. Should I keep doing that or just let it be?

I have left my little trees out, unprotected, ever since early April, unless temps were

Let it be!

Gia,

You can leave it out, but I suggest to mist the leaves throughout the day. If i am understanding you correctly, you are saying it was growing bare root in a bucket of water. It has gotten a lot of moisture with little effort plus being indoors it did not have need for a large root system. It is going to need time to develop the proper root system for soil and harden the leaves against UV rays. Don't be surprized if it drops all its leaves and appears dead. Keep the soil moist (not wet) and it should rebound. Good luck!

Thank you Pami and Cecil!

Ruben, that's exactly how it was, it was just the tree and water no soil. Thanks, hopefully I can nurse it back to health.

You are very welcome!

Thank you Cecil, you bet I'm going to be here asking lots and lots of questions. I want to learn everything I possibly can about figs.

Gia the tree is probably in transplant shock. The roots were used to getting X amount of water then you potted it and they now are getting Y amount. I would keep the soil damp NOT WET. just enough to sustain the tree. Move the tree to a shaded spot under a tree where it gets very little sun. Then I would cut each leaf in half reducing the moisture loss through evaporation. The roots need to be fed through the leaves so they need to stay to an extent. Wait until you see new leaf growth from the tips then slowly reintroduce back to direct sun. Good luck and welcome to the forum.

Northeanewbie, Should I just cut them in half with scissors? Sorry, if that's a dumb question. Thanks, I see you're in New Jersey too. What part? If you don't mind me asking.

Gia, the guys gave you some great advice.  I echo what they said.  Anytime you get a new tree whether it comes from via mail or a nursery, you always want to loosen the roots a little, repot it, and leave it in the shade for a week or 2.  What I've learned is whenever I get a bare root fig tree, I soak the roots in liquid root horemone by Fertelome (3 tbls per gallon of water) for 30 minutes then repot the tree.  The tree bounces back in 2 days almost with no leave lost.  I got 2 trees from a friend 2 weeks ago.  They were bare root and were mailed to me.  The trees looked pretty much like yours did when I opened the box.  I soaked them, repotted them and placed them in the shade.  One bounced back in 2 days.  The other one's leaves turned yellow and looked sad.   A week later, the yellow leaves are now turning back green.  NO LIE!  And not one leaf fell off the tree.  So, leaving the tree in the shade to recover from the shock helps.  I also think liquid horemone also helps.  I also use a moisture meter for all my trees, especially during winter. It takes the guess work out of watering.  cheers, 

Gia yes just cut them in half with scissors or take 1/3rd off each leaf. what ever you feel comfortable doing.  I am in Gloucester county....

Oh yeah GIA one more thing!

Dennis, since the tree has been potted already can I still do the root hormone soak? And where can I buy it? Thanks to all the great advice! This place is amazing.

Gia I would skip the hormone just leave the roots settle in their new environment keep them moist and be patient it could take a few days to recover. Up to two weeks in some situations.

Now that the tree is planted.  I would just leave it be.  

I decided to leave it alone and let it acclimate itself to the soil. Patience is not one of my virtues but there's no other choice but to wait :o). I did buy the moisture meter and the soil is wet.

We just had a torrential downpour with tornado watches and warnings, short break,

Hello Gia,

I have used wicks in my potted fig trees and they help to keep the soil from staying too wet.

The wicks need to be 100% Rayon, so the water will wick out of the pot best.  You use 100% rayon string mop replacement heads and I get them at Wal-Mart, but anywhere you can find 100% rayon mop heads will be fine.

I find the wicks also work on hard surfaces, too.

Good luck with your "new baby."  :)

Pami,

I hope all will be well with you.

noss