tandmadd
Registered:1364174676 Posts: 22
Posted 1365468718
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#1
Hi, I just recently got into fig trees (and gardening in general). I found a Violette de Bordeaux tree at my local nursery and bought it even though it looked a little wilted. I thought if I repotted it and watered it well, it would be fine. I repotted it 3 days ago and it is still sad and limpy. Checked the roots and they are not rotten- and I have watered it twice- the day I brought it home and repotted, and today- 3 days later. It is a 1 year old tree- the same as 3 of my other potted fig trees but it has double- maybe even triple the amount of leaves compared to the others- but the stems and leaves seem so weak and lifeless and slightly curling up. There is no powder, bugs, aphids, or spots on my leaves. Any suggestions? (Is there such a thing as too many leaves? Should I trim/prune some of them?) Thanks!! -Tina So. CA - 10B
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200.jpg (44.46 KB, 253 views)
__________________ ------------------ Tina Southern CA, 10B wish list: col de dame noir, black ischia, ronde de Bordeaux, any other dark figs currently growing: violet de bordeaux, peters honey, panachee, black mission, verte, atreano attempting to root: tena, sucrette, golden celeste, black madera, col de dame (not sure of color), pied de bouf, and early violet
noss
Registered:1244523274 Posts: 2,122
Posted 1365469774
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#2
Hello Tina, Welcome to the forum. :) Poor little tree. After you repotted the little tree, did you put it out in the sun right away? When you repotted it, what kind of soil did you use in the pot? Also, How much larger a pot did you use? I can't see the pot in the photo. Did you knock all the old soil off the roots when you repotted it? (I'm not advocating your doing that.) I hope someone will be able to help you out here, but if you have put it back into the sun, remove it from the sun so the tree can settle in, then get it used to full sun little by little. It's stressful for a tree to be transplanted, even into another pot and the sun can tear it up and make it harder for the tree to adjust. Good luck with your new baby, noss
__________________ noss/a.k.a. Vivian Lafayette, LA Zone 9a Wish List: Col de Dame Blanc, Col de Dame Noir, Scott's Yellow, Tony's Brown Italian, any other fig that is good in the rain/humidity and has a real figgy flavor.
DesertDance
Registered:1247674606 Posts: 4,518
Posted 1365470135
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#3
Tina, stop watering! Fig's like heat and not too much water. VdB is a good find at a local nursery. I have a couple, and I can shoot you some green cuttings if yours doesn't make it. So CA zone 19.. AKA hills of Hemet! Suzi
__________________ Zone 9b, Southern California. "First year they sleep, Second year they creep, Third year they leap!" Wish List: I wish all of you happy fig collecting! My wishes have been fulfilled!
pitangadiego
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Registered:1188871011 Posts: 5,447
Posted 1365470234
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#4
New growth this time of year and/or in low humidity will often look a little wilted. Put it in the shade fro a week or so and give it some rest. You might also set it in a bucket of water for several h0urs and let it get thoroughly wet. The original soil might have been dry may not re-wet as easily as you might think, esp. if the potting mix it was in was heavy with peat moss.
__________________ Encanto Farms Nursery
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"pitangadiego" everywhere
Figaro
Registered:1360799941 Posts: 436
Posted 1365470871
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#5
Do not prune! I agree with the humidity diagnosis above, so any way to increase humidity is probably a good idea (which can be tough with a large plant and no greenhouse!). The tree is definately stressed and pruning will only increase the stress. You may want to try some SuperThrive as a way to get her to perk up a little quicker. Good luck!
__________________ ============================ [B]Figaro Zone 10b - South Florida[/I] Growing: Black Mission, Strawberry Verte, LSU Hollier, LSU Purple, LSU Scotts Black, Cajun Gold, Panachee, Excel, UCR 291-4, UCR 143-36, Violette de Bordeaux, Ronde de Bordeaux, Calvert, Black Madeira, Col De Dame Blanc Wish List: CdDN, CdDG, Ischia Black, Galicia Negra ============================
bigsmile542
Registered:1362361945 Posts: 148
Posted 1365471490
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#6
I love superthrive for all my repot plants. Helps with the stress. No too much it is like a drug to plants. Zone 8 Southwest TX
javajunkie
Registered:1362970391 Posts: 1,523
Posted 1365475430
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#7
Bigsmile, where do you buy superthrive?
__________________ Tami SE Texas
tandmadd
Registered:1364174676 Posts: 22
Posted 1365476026
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#8
Thanks everyone for all your advice and suggestions! When I bought it, it was in a 5 gall. pot- coarse sand based soilless mix. it was very quick draining- the water shot right out of the bottom when I watered it. I have now repotted it into a 7 gallon smart-pot (one of those fabric pots). I used Fox Farm potting mix with added coarse perlite and a scoop of compost. I tried not to disturb the roots or soil that the tree roots hung on to- since the sand was so coarse and loose/airy (don't know if that's the right terminology), it came out pretty easily. I have now moved it into a shady spot and will go out and get someSuperthrive tomorrow. I guess all I can do till then is watch it obsessively till it gets better (I've gone outside 5 times today to check on my tree and fell asleep on the couch watching it out the window yesterday). Thanks again! Ill update again in a couple weeks :)
__________________ ------------------ Tina Southern CA, 10B wish list: col de dame noir, black ischia, ronde de Bordeaux, any other dark figs currently growing: violet de bordeaux, peters honey, panachee, black mission, verte, atreano attempting to root: tena, sucrette, golden celeste, black madera, col de dame (not sure of color), pied de bouf, and early violet
javajunkie
Registered:1362970391 Posts: 1,523
Posted 1365476445
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#9
Bless Your Heart, welcome to the club :)
__________________ Tami SE Texas
cis4elk
Registered:1347840383 Posts: 1,719
Posted 1365477459
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#10
Just a thought, maybe your tree had already suffered a bit of root damage before you bought it. In any case if that is the most it wilts, then eventually it will come around. No worries.
__________________ Calvin Littleton,CO z5/6 Wants List: For everyone to clean-up after themselves and co-exist peacefully. Let's think more about the future of our planet and less about ourselves. :)
FrozenJoe
Registered:1244509224 Posts: 1,115
Posted 1365479349
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#11
Hope your plant perks up for you. I have a VdB in my yard, and it is always the first tree to look droopy and unhappy when the temps start warming up and the humidity is low. But even though it looks like that it keeps on growing and producing fruit right through the summer. Maybe just give it normal care and see what happens. It doesn't look that bad in the photo. It just looks like a young plant that is thirsty or hot.
__________________ Joe Phoenix Area (Zone 9) I am MrFrozenJoe on YouTube. I am arizonafigs on eBay.
bullet08
Registered:1284496248 Posts: 6,920
Posted 1365504378
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#12
i would move it into the shade and make sure to water only when it needs it. too much water and new location might be stressing out the tree.
__________________ Pete Durham, NC Zone 7b "don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash." - sir winston churchill "the problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." - the baroness thatcher ***** all my figs have FMV/FMD, in case you're wondering. ***** ***** and... i don't sell things. what little i have will be posted here in winter for first come first serve base to be shared. no, i'm not a socialist...*****
rcantor
Registered:1309799312 Posts: 5,727
Posted 1365505418
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#13
Welcome! You've picked a great variety. What are the others? The others are right about the shade although since the leaves weren't scorched by the sun it looks pretty well adapted to sunlight. I'd give it partial shade or full sun in the am and partial or full shade in the hottest part of the day. A fast draining mix might need to be watered every day depending on temperatures, wind, etc. Also, if it was sitting near a wall as in the photo that will be hotter than if it is away from other structures. It sounds like you've done your homework and know what to look for. I hope you enjoy your time here. Have you tasted figs ripe from the tree before?
__________________ Zone 6, MO Wish list: Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.
Alan1631
Registered:1347991991 Posts: 145
Posted 1365508623
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#14
One thing to try as I had this happen to a recent repot...if you can find room in the pot, put in a stake and then attach a piece of pvc or other other material as a cross brace about the top of the plant to act as a support structure. Then take a clear piece of plastic (I used thin garment cover from the dry cleaners. Mist inside the bag heavily and place over the top of the plant and keep it out of direct sunlight. I would then "let it breath" a couple of times a day by lifting up the plastic to the support piece...may 15-20 minutes. Mine (although not a VdB) perked right up after a day. Then gradually leave the plastic off longer and longer over several days. Anytime the inside of the bag gets dry, mist it again. Good luck....
__________________ Alan
_____________________________
Zone 9 - Central Florida
Wish List: Panache, Bourjosotte Gris, Raspberry Latte, Petite Negri, Black Maderia, Cajun Honey
bigsmile542
Registered:1362361945 Posts: 148
Posted 1365521807
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#15
Tami I get superthrive form Ebay. I have most everything shipped in as I live out in the remote sticks of west TX. I am like a fig love it hot and dry. Zone 8 Southwest TX.
snaglpus
Registered:1244258188 Posts: 4,072
Posted 1365524689
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#16
Concur with others, move to a shade spot for a few days. You've stressed out the tree and it needs to recover. On another note, you could have a Petite Negra. PN is a tree that will droop and sag in heavy sunlight and heat. Once shade comes, the drooping goes away. If its a true VdB, then this is a mute point.
__________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a
winston61
Registered:1302366886 Posts: 47
Posted 1365528032
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#17
figs must be 'hardened off', meaning to gradually acclimate them to full sun. That's not to suggest that your plant will be damaged, merely set back a bit. I planted a vdb and an improved brown turkey in my backyard(northern exposure) in north Texas. They froze to the ground but now are coming back. Very resilient plants, these figs. Hard to kill.
Figaro
Registered:1360799941 Posts: 436
Posted 1365539465
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#18
That big orange home center that's in everyone's town carries SuperThrive, also
__________________ ============================ [B]Figaro Zone 10b - South Florida[/I] Growing: Black Mission, Strawberry Verte, LSU Hollier, LSU Purple, LSU Scotts Black, Cajun Gold, Panachee, Excel, UCR 291-4, UCR 143-36, Violette de Bordeaux, Ronde de Bordeaux, Calvert, Black Madeira, Col De Dame Blanc Wish List: CdDN, CdDG, Ischia Black, Galicia Negra ============================
Dieseler
Registered:1215735852 Posts: 8,252
Posted 1365540868
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#19
Tina like Jon said "Shade" if you keep watching it obsessively sing a song to it. Start with Dean Martin's - Thats Amore and Welcome to the figs4fun forum. There some real fig nut cases here. lol
tmc2009
Registered:1305513080 Posts: 854
Posted 1365546010
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#20
One of my VdB cuttings all of a sudden was wilting and I thought it probably was a goner. I had the cover on the bin off for maybe 20 min. I put the cover on and it came back. The roots were unable to support the growth yet. For some reason the roots aren't able to support the amount of new growth on top. I see you are in Southern California. I was going to say that maybe the root mass was still somewhat cold and dormant but you must of had warm temperatures for a while now? Maybe the tree was stressed for whatever reason at the nursery and lost some of the roots it had the prior season for that size plant but now can't support it's size. If kept in partial sun instead of full sun will give it a chance to recover. Ever go into the garden center to find that the stock of plants look like they hadn't been watered for a week. Maybe that happened to the fig before you bought it.
__________________ Tom
Massachusetts Zone 6b
tandmadd
Registered:1364174676 Posts: 22
Posted 1365926539
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#21
Thank you all so much for your help! I moved the plant into a shady spot, waited for the soil to dry out a bit and today, I watered it along with some of the Superthrive. I have been checking every two hours and I think some of the leaves have 'flattened'! The other trees I have right now are: Black Mission, Panache, LSU Purple, and today- I just got a Peter's Honey. I haven't tried any of the figs yet- all the trees are a year old or younger/ no fruit- but I'm sure I will love them. I've only had Brown Turkey and Kadota figs and I have loved them. I guess I know I love chocolate and vanilla but now I am excited to try all the other exciting flavors- especially after seeing everyone's beautiful pictures!
__________________ ------------------ Tina Southern CA, 10B wish list: col de dame noir, black ischia, ronde de Bordeaux, any other dark figs currently growing: violet de bordeaux, peters honey, panachee, black mission, verte, atreano attempting to root: tena, sucrette, golden celeste, black madera, col de dame (not sure of color), pied de bouf, and early violet
rcantor
Registered:1309799312 Posts: 5,727
Posted 1365970829
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#22
Great varieties. Enjoy them!
__________________ Zone 6, MO Wish list: Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.
sivaveera
Registered:1399303087 Posts: 18
Posted 1399305145
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#23
I bought a 15 gallon Voilet De bordeaux from Armstrong and the tree stalk looks very healthy. The leaves picture matches to tandmadd posting Droopy leaves :( The potting soil is soo loose that it drains the water within minutes and the roots on the top surface was dry as the temperature last week was in 90's in California. I have not planted it on the ground waiting for the leaves to flatten. Question to tandmadd since you have been through the similar situation, im being paranoid newbie when it comes to figs :) 1. How long did it take the leaves to flatten 2. How often you watered 3. Did you add any NPP mixture to give additional relief 4. I do not want to ask this question but will do :( did the leaves wilt off and re grew. This would break my daughters heart :( I already have Brown Turkey, Black mission few months old and doing great Any inputs are appreciated
javajunkie
Registered:1362970391 Posts: 1,523
Posted 1399309774
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#24
Welcome to the forum Sivaveera! I would poke some holes in the soil with a screwdriver or something and loosen the top roots up and allow water to penetrate to all the soil. I may soak it in a bucket for an hour as well as repot it. I can't speak for all but my VdB likes partial shade and let's me know about it if she doesn't have it!
__________________ Tami SE Texas
greysmith
Registered:1394039826 Posts: 254
Posted 1399309939
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#25
I put my little figs back out this morning. I had been having issues with my VdB wilting and needing more water when outside, so I put them in another container that I could water independently. All the others just had their wicks in the water, the VdB I top watered and made sure that the bottom of their bags were slightly immersed when I put them out. An hour later just the VdB were wilted, awful fast for either drying out or being damaged from being to wet. They're still in the shade in my sip http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/kiddy-pool-sip-6838413?pid=1282247050#post1282247050 and they've been in front of South facing windows so they aren't getting that much more sun. Change of temperature maybe? They seem pretty prone to wilt... but they survived wilting several days in a row last time I put them out. They would perk up in the evening and they didn't lose their leaves or anything so I'm trying not to get too concerned this time.
__________________ S central KY, zone 6b
sivaveera
Registered:1399303087 Posts: 18
Posted 1399392300
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#26
Thanks you javajunkie, yes Im planning to plant him on the ground and The position is almost mid NorthEast has sun in the morning till noon and after 1:00pm shade from my house. I already kept a big bowl and let the pot sit in it. What I water drains to bottom and stays there. I will remove it today or tomorrow and let the pot sit in the shade for another week or so before i plant him.I will try to post a picture. The tree is ina 15 gallon pot and I have added some mulch on the top to retain water. Any suggestions on how long I can keep the big bowl with bottom 3 inches of the pot submerged in water.
javajunkie
Registered:1362970391 Posts: 1,523
Posted 1399394864
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#27
If the root ball is finally soaked with water you can take it out and water as normal. If the leaves have perked back up you can plant it and fertilize.
__________________ Tami SE Texas
sivaveera
Registered:1399303087 Posts: 18
Posted 1399398347
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#28
Thanks javajunkie Ok will do as soon as I get home
bullet08
Registered:1284496248 Posts: 6,920
Posted 1399398820
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#29
original poster's pix looks like the leaves are dehydrating very fast. that happens when left in the sun suddenly after spending all the time indoor or in dark place. keeping in shade and misting will help. if the pot is light, add water. if the pot is not light or has water in there, just leaving it in the shade will work. if left in the sun longer, the leaves will dry up and drop. but as long as the buds are still green they should put on new leaves and things will be fine.
__________________ Pete Durham, NC Zone 7b "don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash." - sir winston churchill "the problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." - the baroness thatcher ***** all my figs have FMV/FMD, in case you're wondering. ***** ***** and... i don't sell things. what little i have will be posted here in winter for first come first serve base to be shared. no, i'm not a socialist...*****
sivaveera
Registered:1399303087 Posts: 18
Posted 1399399104
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#30
Sounds logical Bullet08 Since I got them from Armstrong, the tree could have been indoor and sudden heat of 90 plus made it droopy I have it under shade a good one :) between a huge orange and Key lime tree. The leaves are not dry yet But will plant as soon as I see the leaves flatten but remove the water bowl today. I had added some compost mulch so that the top layer did not dry up. I just did not want to repot/replant cause that might bring up the stress level up and higher. As a perk I watered it with AV11 (15% nitrogen 35% potash 35% phosphorous)
recomer20
Registered:1378013757 Posts: 402
Posted 1399421142
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#31
I noticed some of my black nursery pots were hot as heck in the sun. Moved them to a place--still in sun--where I could half bury the pots in pine straw. They seem much better now. I think most varieties like heat on the leaf, cool around the roots. Anyone else vouch for this? (Just an observation, and I could be off the mark.)
__________________ Rick C. Birmingham, AL z7b --- *INGROUND: S.C.Lemon ("Dr.Welch"), LSUpurple, Celeste (Std) *POTTED 3rd Yr: Alma, Atreano, BattGreen, GrnGreek, HardyChicago, ItalianBlack (Becnel), LSUGold?, MBvs, Sal's EL, Southern BT?, St.Jean, Jackie'sUnk *POTTED 2nd Yr: SunbirdUnkJP, BourjNoire, JHAdriatic, ValleNegra *ROOTING: RdB, ScottsBlk, BlkGreek-MN,Preto
GeneDaniels
Registered:1384021772 Posts: 1,014
Posted 1399421164
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#32
Quote:
Originally Posted by tandmadd I guess all I can do till then is watch it obsessively till it gets better (I've gone outside 5 times today to check on my tree and fell asleep on the couch watching it out the window yesterday).
Sounds like you got it bad! I am a certifiable fig-nut, but I only check my trees 3 times a day when I am home ;-)
__________________ Zone 7b (Central Arkansas) Seven trees in the ground : Hardy Chicago, Celeste(?), LSU gold, Italian Black, Southern Brown Turkey(?), Strawberry Verte, and Unk yellow. Trees in pots: VdB, CdD, and Sicilian?
sivaveera
Registered:1399303087 Posts: 18
Posted 1399427180
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#33
Im attaching the pictures. Removed the water bowl at the bottom and now there is bit of water retention on the top layer I have added mulch. Looking better than what it was yesterday
Attached Images
VdB2.jpg (330.47 KB, 77 views)
VdB1.jpg (490.41 KB, 68 views)
FrozenJoe
Registered:1244509224 Posts: 1,115
Posted 1399427631
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#34
Based on those photos I would say there is more going on than just heat stress. Heat stressed leaves usually curl up. There is some serious drooping going on there. The plant looks like it is in shock.
__________________ Joe Phoenix Area (Zone 9) I am MrFrozenJoe on YouTube. I am arizonafigs on eBay.
sivaveera
Registered:1399303087 Posts: 18
Posted 1399428056
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#35
Should I return the plant or give it some time? It looks much better than yesterday
javajunkie
Registered:1362970391 Posts: 1,523
Posted 1399428297
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#36
If it was me, I would give it some time. Are you sure the water penetrated all through the roots? If it spent time in the full sun getting home that may be part of the problem but the leaves still look viable.
__________________ Tami SE Texas
sivaveera
Registered:1399303087 Posts: 18
Posted 1399428716
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#37
I can get a trash can and immerse the whole pot for couple of hours Can I do that?
javajunkie
Registered:1362970391 Posts: 1,523
Posted 1399428863
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#38
Absolutely! Did you take a sharp object and punch holes for the water to penetrate? I use a long screwdriver, push it in and move it in a circular motion. I am really rooting for your tree! If you have any superthrive that may be a good idea as well.
__________________ Tami SE Texas
sivaveera
Registered:1399303087 Posts: 18
Posted 1399429033
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#39
Okay Let me run to Homedepot and get some super thrive Will keep you posted I waited for this tree for couple of months I just do not want to give up Thanks all for your help
javajunkie
Registered:1362970391 Posts: 1,523
Posted 1399429185
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#40
I wouldn't want to give up either, that's a nice tree and a nice variety!
__________________ Tami SE Texas
Moonlight
Registered:1332008556 Posts: 34
Posted 1399429759
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#41
I thing that the root ball is dry. I would definitely take it out of the new pot and examine the root ball.
sivaveera
Registered:1399303087 Posts: 18
Posted 1399433856
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#42
SUPERTHRIVE!! All the way I have added the magic potion Waiting for it to come back alive If it works I may drink it to when I feel down :) Will keep you posted.
jdsfrance
Registered:1376988473 Posts: 2,591
Posted 1399453191
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#43
Hi sivaveera, Some question: Are you watering the tree twice a day (morning and evening) with some 5 liters of water ? I would put a plate one centimeter high under that pot, so that the dirt has access to water. Tell us if the dirt is taking all the water from the plate . Let me break your heart : knock off some figlets - the smaller ones . Leave three per stem . For sure that can only help ... but I have to admit that it's heart breaking ...
__________________ ------------------------
Climate from -25°C to + 35°C
Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here
sivaveera
Registered:1399303087 Posts: 18
Posted 1399472223
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#44
Answers to jdsfrance1.Are you watering the tree twice a day (morning and evening) with some 5 liters of water ? Yes, I made sure I water in the morning and evening. Im not sure if it is 5 liters but for sure I water a bucket almost half the size of the pot container. Should be around 7 gallons I water till water starts to come down.2. I would put a plate one centimeter high under that pot, so that the dirt has access to water. Yes, I do I have put trash can lid at the bottom so it just holds around 2 inches of water and not in excess.3. Tell us if the dirt is taking all the water from the plate . I do notice water level comes down in the trash can lid but does not dry up completely. Since the pot is in the shade I could say 50% evaporation and 50% absorption :) More updates: The plant is recovering I guess see pictures attached. It could be a combination of all the suggestions I have had. Amazing group and thank you. I will continue to update pictures and will keep you posted. It is heart breaking to clip the fruits :( can I wait and see for another day to do that? I have had this tree for only 2 days and for sure the leaves have not dried but just droopy. I can see the difference which could be subtle as Im watching it every few hours "PARANOID".
sivaveera
Registered:1399303087 Posts: 18
Posted 1399472367
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#45
Some how other 2 pictures never got attached
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VdB4.JPG (782.51 KB, 25 views)
javajunkie
Registered:1362970391 Posts: 1,523
Posted 1399472565
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#46
It absolutely is looking better. Did you poke the holes for water to get down in there? The superthrive has to be helping a little but I'm still worried water isn't getting to the middle of the pot. Is the pot really heavy like it's saturated?
__________________ Tami SE Texas
sivaveera
Registered:1399303087 Posts: 18
Posted 1399472636
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#47
One more ... Im not able to insert multiple pictures or attach multiple images. Apologize for taking 3 threads
sivaveera
Registered:1399303087 Posts: 18
Posted 1399472740
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#48
Yes javajunkie. I did poke holes and also the pot seemed heavier. When I get home I will get some holes closer to the trunk before I water in the evening.
javajunkie
Registered:1362970391 Posts: 1,523
Posted 1399472885
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#49
Nicely done!
__________________ Tami SE Texas
sivaveera
Registered:1399303087 Posts: 18
Posted 1399557179
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#50
Doing much better :), Water in the trash lid is decreased looks like the plant is absorbing the water. I did make additional holes near the main stalk.