SuperMario1
Registered:1441853363 Posts: 441
Posted 1456601830
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#1
So I have these 2 little Preto plants. Everything was going well for months. They sprouted a few leaves and some were even fairly large. They started to throw out a main crop, but I pinched them in hopes to save energy as they were just rooted in November or December. It has been about a month and a half (I think) since I pinched the fruit. Once I did that the plants started to drop beautiful green luscious and healthy leaves here and there. I figured they got stressed and were trying to sort things out. Fast forward to today. Both of these plants have dropped all their leaves and they were all green and healthy looking (FMV was barely noticeable, they were looking great). There is no indication of root rot, nothing is drying up or wilting, they just dropped all their healthy leaves. I REALLY want these trees to survive because they are from Tyro, and he has a gorgeous strain that, until recently was growing relatively vigorously. What should I do? Hugs*
__________________ Wish list: Galicia Negra, Violetta, Violette de Sollies, Dan_la's Black Beauty 10, Craven's Craving, Most important : YOUR FAVORITE FIG . A lot of people put emphasis on popular/exotic cultivars, which is great because it highlights some of the better fig varieties; however, I am most interested in the figs our members love regardless of pedigree. Currently Growing: a bunch of varieties.
figpig_66
Registered:1416870358 Posts: 2,678
Posted 1456602402
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#2
Sounds like a classic sign of to much moisture in the soil. Check the trees roots out and see if they are rotting. If so you will have to cut rot off and start over. Roots die and can't send moisture up to leaves. Richie from louisiana
__________________ RICHIE BONI
HICKORY LOUISIANA ZONE 8B WARM HUMID
WINRERS ARE VERY MILD LOW 20'S BUT WARMS RIGHT UP DURING THE DAY. SUMMER IS EXTREMELY HOT & HUMID 100 degrees 100% humidity fig tree grow like crazy but some split from rain & humidity
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SuperMario1
Registered:1441853363 Posts: 441
Posted 1456602727
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#3
Richie, Usually when the roots die don't the leaves wilt or get droopy? Here in this case the leaves looked beautiful and never wilted before they dropped. Do you still think that this is too much water in soil and root rot? In the past when I had root rot issues the leaves looked like crap.
__________________ Wish list: Galicia Negra, Violetta, Violette de Sollies, Dan_la's Black Beauty 10, Craven's Craving, Most important : YOUR FAVORITE FIG . A lot of people put emphasis on popular/exotic cultivars, which is great because it highlights some of the better fig varieties; however, I am most interested in the figs our members love regardless of pedigree. Currently Growing: a bunch of varieties.
twovkay
Registered:1340623156 Posts: 264
Posted 1456606997
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#4
Preto, like a lot of tougher varieties to root have a stalling period. I also had one I rooted from tyro and right around this time, it stalled on me and didn't start growing again until late summer. I thought it had died on me a few times. So, if the stem where the leaves were are green and healthy, keep it barely watered for the roots. And if you are able, take it outside, above 60/70, and bring it inside if it's lower than 60 or so. Good luck, hope this helps.
__________________ Von Northern VA 7a
brianm
Registered:1389664758 Posts: 971
Posted 1456614980
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#5
Check the roots like Richie said. They are so fragile at that stage. Preto is very tough as I can attest as I have had only a few make it to uppotting stage. These are all from Tyro also. He has a good way of rooting them you should reach out to him. Here's one I shifted to a 3 gallon.
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SuperMario1
Registered:1441853363 Posts: 441
Posted 1456617471
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#6
I'll check the roots and update you all. They did have some nice ones, but maybe they got over-watered or died. The cutting still looks fresh and healthy so worst case, I'll just re-root them. Thanks
__________________ Wish list: Galicia Negra, Violetta, Violette de Sollies, Dan_la's Black Beauty 10, Craven's Craving, Most important : YOUR FAVORITE FIG . A lot of people put emphasis on popular/exotic cultivars, which is great because it highlights some of the better fig varieties; however, I am most interested in the figs our members love regardless of pedigree. Currently Growing: a bunch of varieties.
figpig_66
Registered:1416870358 Posts: 2,678
Posted 1456625800
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#7
I have to agree. Very hard too root. I dont know if the roots,are wet and died but i would check at least one so they can be saved. Maybe just stalled. I have a martinenca rimada that took 1 year 1/2 to take off it would also loose leaves. I have thought it died many times but just last month it looks like a normal tree growing very fast. So you never know
__________________ RICHIE BONI
HICKORY LOUISIANA ZONE 8B WARM HUMID
WINRERS ARE VERY MILD LOW 20'S BUT WARMS RIGHT UP DURING THE DAY. SUMMER IS EXTREMELY HOT & HUMID 100 degrees 100% humidity fig tree grow like crazy but some split from rain & humidity
Wish list. Col de dame blanc
Col de rimada
Lsu numbered figs
tyro
Registered:1305930864 Posts: 230
Posted 1456627180
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#8
Hi Mario, It's difficult to assess what you've got going there without a photo.As has been noted,most people find Preto more difficult to root than other varieties.They can have a tendency to stall out and sulk.Here's a photo of a couple that will not get with the program<G>.
__________________ Paul.Simi Valley,Ca.Zone 9a/Sunset 18
Lewi
Registered:1441222269 Posts: 149
Posted 1456627609
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#9
Got 2 JH Adriatics doing this..nice little green leaves...cant wait till spring to chuck them Outside (in the shade)...maybe in 10 days in this area...
__________________ West Florida (West of the Apalachiola River as defined by the proclamation of 1763). zone 8a winters can get cold for figs...down to 12 F twice in last four years. Lewi = Levite
SuperMario1
Registered:1441853363 Posts: 441
Posted 1456632669
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#10
Thanks for the input. I've had no issues getting the Pretos to root, they did just great. I took some pics of the roots from one and I think they look fine... maybe not? I posted 2 pics so you guys could look at it. I have them in tiny 3 inch pots, so maybe it was root-bound. Check it out and let me know what you think.
__________________ Wish list: Galicia Negra, Violetta, Violette de Sollies, Dan_la's Black Beauty 10, Craven's Craving, Most important : YOUR FAVORITE FIG . A lot of people put emphasis on popular/exotic cultivars, which is great because it highlights some of the better fig varieties; however, I am most interested in the figs our members love regardless of pedigree. Currently Growing: a bunch of varieties.
brianm
Registered:1389664758 Posts: 971
Posted 1456632784
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#11
Hey I think it looks fine. I bet you throw it in a gallon pot with some fertilizer it will take off.
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SuperMario1
Registered:1441853363 Posts: 441
Posted 1456633635
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#12
Moving on up. I'll keep you posted. Thanks.
__________________ Wish list: Galicia Negra, Violetta, Violette de Sollies, Dan_la's Black Beauty 10, Craven's Craving, Most important : YOUR FAVORITE FIG . A lot of people put emphasis on popular/exotic cultivars, which is great because it highlights some of the better fig varieties; however, I am most interested in the figs our members love regardless of pedigree. Currently Growing: a bunch of varieties.
rafaelissimmo
Registered:1335639347 Posts: 1,473
Posted 1456640109
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#13
I rooted an alleged Preto last spring. I mistreated it thru various experiments and it nearly died, pulled through, and then stalled for over a month, never losing its lone leaf. Then it grew more later in summer. We expect it to do well this summer. My 5 year old preto from Encanto purchased as a 1-gal grew like crazy its first year and hardly at all the last four years. It crowds a good amount of excellent fruit each year on relatively little growth. One of my favorites. I think yours will pull through, just be good to it. Richie would agree that Floralicious Plus is a great supplement to good fertilization.
__________________ Zone 7b, Queens, New York
Jamie0507
Registered:1435895205 Posts: 167
Posted 1456671308
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#14
I am experiencing very similiar circumstances with the two little preto cuttings I rooted this past November.. I've anxiously watched over them since they rooted and boy they have been giving me scares the whole time.. The first one that rooted was very slow to put on leaves and then completely stalled on me & lost the one leaf it had! For two months it stayed bare & I thought it was a gonner for sure! I found that I had definitely overwatered it & have since really tried to restrain myself where watering is concerned.. FINALLY it grew a new leaf and is now working on a second one :) Lol I was delighted when I saw that so Im trying not ruin the progress its finally beginning to make. I think the roots in your pic look great, dont give up on it.. With time & patience I believe it will be just fine.. Good luck with it!
__________________ Jamie Zone 6A My List of Fig Varieties:https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13MXbhU3b-5Y4bkNSWHVikw6m-vovlHZcBjcsxMwQ7iY Wish list: Col. Littmans, Figoin, Black Tuscan.. And now for my "Hey..A girl has got to have dreams!" wishlist: Sangue Dolce, Montenegro, Rigato del Salento
jdsfrance
Registered:1376988473 Posts: 2,591
Posted 1456685086
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#15
Hi, The stem looks fine.The roots look fine. But I'm curious : how did you get the medium out of the roots ? What kind of dirt are you using ? At that point, I would be using dirt from the nurseries ... but that's me . I would pot it up in dirt from the nurseries for that little thing to have more nutrients to feed on. Good luck ! For the leaves, perhaps an opened door and a cold breeze got the leaves ... It could be from over watering too. So stop watering until the medium gets really dry/light and then just a little cup of water, until the medium etc... I had one two years ago do that. I thought it was lost and when April or May came since it had no leaves left, I put the pot in the garden. The little things wanted to hang on to life, and bounced back. It is a nice little tree by now. In the future, try to avoid bare-rooting your trees like that as that may shock them (so not helping them). To remove excess humidity just put the pot on a newspaper or a paper towels and let it drain.
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SuperMario1
Registered:1441853363 Posts: 441
Posted 1456698472
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#16
Quote:
Originally Posted by jdsfrance I'm curious : how did you get the medium out of the roots ? What kind of dirt are you using ?
For the little trees I use coco and pearlie mixture I mix myself. When the weather warms up, I up-pt them with a coco/pearlite/potting soil mix. Quote:
Originally Posted by jdsfrance At that point, I would be using dirt from the nurseries ... but that's me . I would pot it up in dirt from the nurseries for that little thing to have more nutrients to feed on.
I agree that would be ideal, but the trees are indoors until the weather permits and I am afraid of fungus gnats. It only takes a couple and next thing you know it is a big problem. Right now I supplement the mix with Dyna-Gro or Miracle Grow. I up-potted them last night.Quote:
Originally Posted by jdsfrance So stop watering until the medium gets really dry/light and then just a little cup of water, until the medium etc... I had one two years ago do that. I thought it was lost and when April or May came since it had no leaves left, I put the pot in the garden. The little things wanted to hang on to life, and bounced back. It is a nice little tree by now. In the future, try to avoid bare-rooting your trees like that as that may shock them (so not helping them).
That is encouraging. I have my fingers crossed and hope that my story sends up like yours :) I usually let my mix get fairly dry, but if there are trees that suck up a bunch of water daily, then they get watered more. These Pretos were one of those trees that continuously sucked up water. They stopped sucing up a bunch of water right about the time the leaves started dropping off. Accordingly, I stopped watering them as much. The thing about coco is that the top dries out and turns color, but that may or may not be an indication of the soil underneath. Sometimes the soil get VERY dry if you aren't careful. Do you think that it will be okay if the coco gets super dry? If so then I'll let it get that way before I re-water. Please advise. I usually never bare root trees but I only bare-rooted this one to adequately inspect the roots and trunk, otherwise I would have been guessing. The other one was left in the medium and up-potted as-is. Quote:
Originally Posted by jdsfrance To remove excess humidity just put the pot on a newspaper or a paper towels and let it drain.
The coco drains well, and the soil is never saturated to the point where paper towels could wick anything from the bottom. As always, THANKS to everyone for helping me out and advising me. You are so wonderful!
__________________ Wish list: Galicia Negra, Violetta, Violette de Sollies, Dan_la's Black Beauty 10, Craven's Craving, Most important : YOUR FAVORITE FIG . A lot of people put emphasis on popular/exotic cultivars, which is great because it highlights some of the better fig varieties; however, I am most interested in the figs our members love regardless of pedigree. Currently Growing: a bunch of varieties.
SuperMario1
Registered:1441853363 Posts: 441
Posted 1456710139
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#17
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Originally Posted by
tyro Hi Mario,
It's difficult to assess what you've got going there without a photo.As has been noted,most people find Preto more difficult to root than other varieties.They can have a tendency to stall out and sulk.Here's a photo of a couple that will not get with the program<G>.
Paul, good to hear from you. I'll do my best to give these little trees a chance for success. Maybe they are taking a break and will get with the program when Spring is in full swing. :)
__________________ Wish list: Galicia Negra, Violetta, Violette de Sollies, Dan_la's Black Beauty 10, Craven's Craving, Most important : YOUR FAVORITE FIG . A lot of people put emphasis on popular/exotic cultivars, which is great because it highlights some of the better fig varieties; however, I am most interested in the figs our members love regardless of pedigree. Currently Growing: a bunch of varieties.
Herman2
Registered:1189809424 Posts: 2,625
Posted 1456763355
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#18
SuperMario:It seem to me that your plant has root nematodes. I see a few nodules there,and that might be why it dropped leaves!. I am not sure of that because the pix is small,but ,it is only an opinion,and i fill sorry to tell you bad news.
levar
Registered:1392366658 Posts: 195
Posted 1456764875
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#19
If it does end up being nematodes, this is a setback but you can proceed without buying a new tree. The good news is that nematodes only affect the roots. Isolate the tree and let it grow until you can get cuttings. Don't pinch it and don't allow it to produce fruit. Try not to not take cuttings that grow too close to the soil, or else you're at a risk for contamination. I once got a VdB that was infested with rkn nodes. I tried to chop all of the roots off the main trunk, give it a hot water soak (125F or something - don't remember anymore) and spritz it with a bleach solution. That didn't work for me, but I'm not an expert and probably made mistakes along the way. The main trunk rooted but the rkn were still present and the new roots grew with nodes. All of the cuttings from higher up on the tree worked perfectly and continue to grow vigorously. If you want to double check on whether your tree has nematodes, please take a high res photo of the root ball. Also, don't go poking around in the other figs after touching infected soil. I *always* wash my hands with soap and hot water, and then rub them with ~90% rubbing alcohol to sterilize them if I suspect I was touching soil infested with nematodes.
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SuperMario1
Registered:1441853363 Posts: 441
Posted 1456771349
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#20
Herman and Levar, It is hard to tell from the pic, and I did re-pot the plant so I won't be re-checking it. Maybe it is nematodes, but when I inspected the roots I didn't notice any nodules. However, I definitely could have overlooked them if they were only a couple little ones on there. I'll see if the plants recover, take cuttings and re-root new ones. Hopefully this was a stall-out situation due to root bind or stress from pinching the fruit, but if it is nematodes then I'll follow everyone's advice. THANKS AGAIN!
__________________ Wish list: Galicia Negra, Violetta, Violette de Sollies, Dan_la's Black Beauty 10, Craven's Craving, Most important : YOUR FAVORITE FIG . A lot of people put emphasis on popular/exotic cultivars, which is great because it highlights some of the better fig varieties; however, I am most interested in the figs our members love regardless of pedigree. Currently Growing: a bunch of varieties.
FiggyFrank
Registered:1347560723 Posts: 2,712
Posted 1456846847
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#21
Whatever you do, don't give up on it. It may simply need the summer heat and some fresh soil. A couple years ago I rooted a Preto over the winter and eventually appeared dead. I transferred it to a SIP and after a bout 2 months, it came back to life.
__________________ Frank zone 7a - VA