what's wrong with my tree?

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Shur

Registered:1358443286
Posts: 44

Posted 1377103646	Reply with quote #1

Hi everyone, This is a tree from a cutting I started back in March and it's my only success so far. Everything was going great until about two months ago... then it started to show signs of FMV (well, I think it's FMV. see the upper leaves in the picture.) and growth stopped almost completely. New leaves fall off as soon as they bud out, and those that do make it are small and deformed. And if that's not enough, the old healthy leaves turn brown and yellow and fall off as well. At first I thought the tree lacked nutrition so I added some compost to the soil, but there's no change. I thought maybe it was the strong sun (even though the tree is adjusted to full sun) so I put it inside and still, no change. So, what's wrong with my tree? Attached Images poor_fellow.jpg (245.63 KB, 116 views) __________________ Jerusalem, Israel

WillsC

Registered:1348087628
Posts: 1,698

bullet08

Registered:1284496248
Posts: 6,920

Posted 1377105076	Reply with quote #3

and where are you located at? some of my trees are already starting to drop leaves. the weather here has been rather chilly last week, in upper 70s. where is the tree located at.. what soil mix being used.. water schedule.. and all that might help. also, we asit suddenly introduced to strong sun light? __________________ 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...***

rafaelissimmo

Registered:1335639347
Posts: 1,473

Posted 1377124139	Reply with quote #4

Make sure drainage is ok, you might be drowning the plant. Also, outside w shade is better than indoors unless it is below freezing (which I doubt). __________________ Zone 7b, Queens, New York

JustPeachy

Registered:1374695228
Posts: 304

Posted 1377127919	Reply with quote #5

Poor little thing. I'd be worried too... hope you find out what ails it soon! __________________ Sophie~ Sophies Choices: Sultane, Sal's , Hardy Chicago and varieties suitable to z7b...not too picky at this point since we are still a fig growing virgin!

needaclone

Registered:1346812939
Posts: 604

Posted 1377144190	Reply with quote #6

Shur, All I can say is that you're not alone. I have a bunch of trees and cuttings that show similar symptoms. The weather in NJ has gone from too cold to too wet to too hot...first over the course of a couple of months, and now switching ever couple of days it seems. They've been over watered (due to rain), underwatered (to combat fungus gnats), probably under fertilized, and I'm sure they don't get enough sun. So, I'll be watching this thread to note what kind of suggestions you get. Jim p.s. you should add your location (or at least your growing zone) to your profile so that the good people of this forum can be pointed in the right direction to help you out. __________________ Clarksburg, NJ - Zone 6b Wishlist - A wise man recommended: Nero600M . Malta Black . Tacoma (Takoma) Violet . Gino's . Adriatic JH . Vista Mission . Florea . Atreano . ...also...RdB, Bethlehem Black, Negronne, Grise de St. Jean, Livano, Col de Dame Blanc/Gris/Noir, Vasilika Sika, Longue D'Aout, Italian 258, Pennsylvania 6-5000

DallasFigs

Registered:1358877623
Posts: 990

Posted 1377180286	Reply with quote #7

I think rafaelissimmo nailed it. I have a Marylane Seedless that looked a lot like that after up potting to 5 gals with a bad soil mix (was too heavy and sandy). I ended up taking it down to bare roots (dangerous on an already stressed tree) and repotting in a better mix. After a few weeks, it started perking up. __________________ James - Irving, TX - Zone: 8a Follow me on EBay Wish List: 187-25 · Ice Crystal · Maltese Beauty · Maltese Falcon

Shur

Registered:1358443286
Posts: 44

Posted 1377206848	Reply with quote #8

Thanks for your advice everyone, I'm using simple potting soil mixed with some compost. I doubt it's a drainage problem, the tree had been quite happy with the the same soil and watering regime for at least three months before it started to show any signs of distress. I try not to overwater it. when it was still outside I gave it small doses of water every day. now that it's inside I water it much less, once every few days. I just stick my finger into the soil to make sure it's a little damp. It's the middle of the summer here (Israel) and I figure there's at least two months before the temps drop low enough for the trees to lose their leaves. So maybe it really is the sun... Here's a picture from two months ago, look how healthy it was: Attached Images fddfd.jpg (239.17 KB, 27 views) __________________ Jerusalem, Israel

hoosierbanana

Registered:1287901146
Posts: 2,186

Posted 1377207732	Reply with quote #9

Maybe it is calcium deficiency? __________________ 7a, DE

DallasFigs

Registered:1358877623
Posts: 990

Posted 1377208881	Reply with quote #10

How long ago did you repot it? Did the first signs of stress show up 3 to 5 days after repotting? I see different pots between the two pics.. __________________ James - Irving, TX - Zone: 8a Follow me on EBay Wish List: 187-25 · Ice Crystal · Maltese Beauty · Maltese Falcon

jimmychao

Registered:1347690066
Posts: 285

Posted 1377255744	Reply with quote #11

Shur, If you use potting soil with compost, the pH level may be acidic and no enough drainage. You should add perlite and lime. __________________ Jimmy Northern NJ - zone 6 ebay ID: jillji Wish List: Aubique Petite, Japanese White, Jolly Tiger, Maltese Beauty, Norland, San Giovanni...

ascpete

Registered:1336096379
Posts: 1,942

Posted 1377263508	Reply with quote #12

Shur, I would agree with "jimmychao" abut PH and drainage. I had a similar condition on two (2) different cultivars of healthy looking and actively growing plants that were re-potted to larger containers with a newly mixed batch of 5-1-1 potting mix (the PH was low... acidic). PH being too high or Low will reduce nutrient uptake causing visible signs in the leaves. Good Luck.

Shur

Registered:1358443286
Posts: 44

Posted 1377273941	Reply with quote #13

Thanks again everyone, The problems began even before I repotted and added compost (actually, that's why I added compost). I'll see what I can do to improve the drainage since many of you believe that's the problem. __________________ Jerusalem, Israel

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