I have searched and can't find the post, but there was a discussion on speculation on why leaves change their shape.  This is a Raspberry Latte (I'm pretty sure) that was started early this year, stayed in a half gallon until early August and up-potted to about a three or four-gallon container.  It quadrupled in size.  The leaves started out with all fingered leaves then changed to all spade leaves.  Any consensus as to why the leaves change form?

Maybe because the tree vigor increased? I view the spades as typical of a young vigorous tree. Then changing to lobed as the tree matures. Your tree went the other way to some degree. It will probably be lobed again next yr.

It seems that leaves change shape readily and some of the change triggers appear to be the level of available light as well as age / maturity of the plant. I noticed that the leaves of many of my GH located plants have changed over the course of the summer and leaf changes are also noticeable within the fig plant canopy with smaller plants that may be getting somewhat shaded by the leaves of taller plants in the course of the day, appearing to have more lobed / skinnier leaves (much more leaf edge area) versus those that are taller and receive more consistent light throughout the day (broader, fatter leaves, less lobing). Others, on the other hand, have noted that fig leaves in some cases were getting very large in response to diminishing light... almost as if to maximize the surface exposer to the diminishing light and therefore maximize photosynthesis. Not enough data for me to draw any conclusions or even identify a consistent pattern.... just an in progress observation....

Honestly those leaves don't look like Rlatte. Even though it does consistently throw two leaf shapes. However, itis young and leaf shape can change but my gut tells me otherwise

I sure hope you're wrong. That has been on my wish list for a really long time. If you have a plant, would you mind posting pictures of yours?

Common for RL



 

 

   

Actually I take that back. There's too much similarity to not be RLatte. The leaves are young I looked at mine and it is similar.

Very common with other types of Figs putting on growth spurts, it means they are happy. :)

I did an experiment last year and published pics. I took two branches from a Little Miss Figgy tree. I cut each in half and rooted them. The bottom sections had no buds on them and the top sections did have small tip buds. When leaves appeared the tip sections had 5 finger true to type leaves. The two bottom sections had all spade type leaves. I believe that the spade are a distress type leaf genetically determined to have the greatest light gathering ability. I also have a TC type VDB that has 4 main branches,the newest branch does not have the fingered normal leaf branches it has all spade leaves this year.

The Raspberry Latte I believe is a genetic Frankenstein with it's variable leaf shapes and deformed fruits......I have two that have not fruited yet but I do have tiny red eye figlets on one but too late to ripen. Looking at other posts on this plant I am not sure it will not go in the fire pile next year. Both of mine at this time are all spade leaves. I think another have to have bust! 

Forgive me for not responding earlier.  Actually, I thought I had last night, but I don't see it here.  Maybe I was dreaming.  Working on too little sleep is not a good thing.

So, thanks for all the replies.  I guess the answer to the question is sometime it just happens.  

I've got my fingers crossed that I've got the extra special Raspberry Latte that will produce fruit next year ;-)

And yes, LaFigue, that was the post I was trying to find.  Thanks.

Totally normal for RL. It can change mid season, from season to season, branch to branch, etc.

 

Now I'm wondering about the actual fruit.  Anybody get any ripe fruit?  And does it taste like raspberries?

A little strange looking on the outside, but the inside looks like it should taste really good.
Thanks, KK.