Badly Infected Trees - To Keep or Not to Keep

Author

Comment

TheASTrader

Registered:1462409587
Posts: 43

Posted 1464784800	Reply with quote #1

I'm wondering if I should keep some of my UCD trees that have the worst FMV symptoms (slow growth, badly deformed leaves) in the hopes that they grow out of it or should I just dispose of them and start fresh with a different source? I'm also taking into account the health of my other trees. __________________ USDA Zone 10a & 8b Wish List: Bebera Branca, Ischia Black and as many else I can fit.

zeitgeist

Registered:1428939457
Posts: 104

Posted 1464791500	Reply with quote #2

You could try heavily pruning them and then giving an aggressive fertilizer regimen for a season and see if it helps? __________________ California Central Coast Zone 9 Wish List: Figo Preto/Black Madeira, I-258, Genovese Nero

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1464794104	Reply with quote #3

Hi, Depends on what they are and their "value" . Depends on how slowly they grow. If they grow an inch a year ... If they are not that current, and you have space, keep them and let them grow. If you are sure that they are adapted to your locales and have space, I would keep them. Of course, if you find an healthy replacement tree for a few bucks ... Well, replace the defect tree ... My first "Longue d'aout" is a slow grower. Now she seems to grow quicker. The spot she is in - maybe a bit shadowy- and damage from hidden rodents may have helped her. Now that I'm taking care of the rodents and since I fertilize as one should, this year for the first in 8 years in that spot, she has 3 brebas :) . __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

Sas

Registered:1350079929
Posts: 1,363

Posted 1464795054	Reply with quote #4

Some varieties are hard to find. Not all UCD trees are infected that badly and some are more than others. Since you are in a hot area and hopefully have some good soil, your trees will have an easier time to recover, but It will still take much longer than usual for these trees to get going. I usually disinfect my cutter with alcohol before pruning each tree in order to prevent spreading the FMV to other healthy trees, that I know did not come from that part of the world. Trying to guess which one is infected and which one is not is a guessing game and you might still end up with an infected tree that does not show the symptoms. There are many varieties that are known to be Potentially FMV free. Usually the grower can tell which one looks like it's ok and which one is not, but unless you do some testing, this would be based on the source and the growth characteristics of the tree. Briefly, of the varieties you're growing I have a UCD Col de Dane Blanc which is productive but not growing fast enough. It keeps on getting trimmed by winter freezes. My Col de Dame Gris after getting established outgrew both the Blanc and the Noir and has been more cold resistant than the UCD Blanc. I have another version of Col de Dame Blanc, which is a more aggressive grower, but it took much longer to produce than the UCD version. My in ground UCD Black Madeira is hardly growing this season, after pushing healthy new growth last year. If it needs more time, I'm not in a hurry since I'm also growing a Preto and another vs of BM etc... __________________ Sas from North Austin TX Zone 8B Wish list: Becane

AltadenaMara

Registered:1422990132
Posts: 375

Posted 1464806124 · Edited	Reply with quote #5

Quote: Originally Posted by zeitgeist You could try heavily pruning them and then giving an aggressive fertilizer regimen for a season and see if it helps? I would second the fertilizer advice before trashing the tree. Some of my trees are growing rapidly and seem to need extra nutrition right now to stay healthy. The tree with the worst infection (originally from Florida, not CA) has a recent basal sprout that shows no signs of infection at all and is almost as tall as the parent plant. I plan on making cuttings/air layers of it. You might get lucky with some healthy new growth on your infected plants as well. Most fig trees are carrying fig viruses but not all show symptoms of an infection. Protecting those that appear to be uninfected might be a lost cause and in the long run, unnecessary. __________________ Mara Southern California Zone 1990= 9b 2012= 10a 2020=?

brianm

Registered:1389664758
Posts: 971

Posted 1464808174	Reply with quote #6

Airlayer a healthy sucker. __________________ Wish list: Galicia Negra,UC Davis Black Ischia, Maltese Raven

paully22

Registered:1195324538
Posts: 2,719

Posted 1464813130	Reply with quote #7

Heavier fertilizing, up frequency in fertilizing like dilute fertilizer program in between regular heavier fertilizer application, frequent watering and some shade. I have done well with miracle gro and good quality composted fertiliser(5 to 6 yr old horse manure).

ricky

Registered:1444161045
Posts: 214

Posted 1464818839	Reply with quote #8

Deformation and mottling (FMD) can also be symptoms of poor Culture, including incorrect pH, nutrient deficiency or not balance, poor soil aeration and or improper watering. I find that Ants/aphids can cause FMV alike symtoms as well on younger trees. I totally agree that you should try heavier fertilizer with frequency in fertilizing first, of course, you can dispose them. __________________ - BC, Canada, PNW Zone 8 with windy ( Zone7 - branches damage at winter) - Wish list - Granthams Royal, RdB, any heavy breba varieties or early one crop varieties.

Sas

Registered:1350079929
Posts: 1,363

Posted 1464824305	Reply with quote #9

Here are some pictures of some UCD trees in their fourth leaf taken today. The first UCD Black Madeira. 2 Col de Dame Blanc. 3 Col de Dame Noir. 4 Col de a Dame Gris. The BM and Col de Dame Blanc look like slow growers, but the Noir which is from another source has been also a slow grower. Many things could slow down growth including the type of soil. These trees were planted feet away from each other at almost the same time with different results. The only difference was that the Black Madeira and Col de a Dame Blanc were rooted and were put in ground within three months after rooting while the Col de Dame Noir and Gris came as rooted plants. The last picture is the Col de a Dame Gris which looks like it finally has taken off this season. Attached Images image.jpeg (683.04 KB, 94 views) image.jpeg (641.62 KB, 88 views) image.jpeg (661.24 KB, 87 views) image.jpeg (670.87 KB, 88 views) __________________ Sas from North Austin TX Zone 8B Wish list: Becane

TheASTrader

Registered:1462409587
Posts: 43

Posted 1464833259	Reply with quote #10

This is the VdB that looks the worst of them all. Keep it as is?? Nip off the tip to encourage more growth? __________________ USDA Zone 10a & 8b Wish List: Bebera Branca, Ischia Black and as many else I can fit.

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1464865724	Reply with quote #11

Hi, I would pot up in pure loam and add fertilizer too - swim or sink ! __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

EB18702

Registered:1448986849
Posts: 51

Posted 1464902485	Reply with quote #12

I thought it was maybe just me. my VDB has looked sickly since I got it from BURNT RIDGE NURSEY last year. mine looks worse then the one pictured. I used a 9-3-5 pretty heavy. what happened was I got a ton of deformed leaf growth all over. I grow it organic so im hoping I could bring her back. I got a cutting from another member hoping it isn't as infected. I was thinking about tossing mine too. I may just plant it in ground and let nature takes its course. __________________ Growing: DK, VdB, Brown Turkey, Hardy Chicago, Black Mission, Verte, Negronne, Natalina BI, U. Italian Yellow BI , U. Yellow Greek AD, U. South Plainfield, U. Orangeburg U. Carini RG, Rooting: Prosciutto, Naples Dark, Azores Dark, Columbaro Nero, De La Tira, I376, Des Roig Manyo, Greek Church U. Wishlist: ANY PEACH OR PLUM SCION PLEASE PM ME. Smith, any in ground figs for zone 6. Erik zone 6A northeast Pa

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,712

Posted 1464959068	Reply with quote #13

I have a Negronne in the ground and last year, a couple of branches showed some heavy FMV. This year, all new shoots from the roots look beautiful with a deep green color and nicely shaped leaves. I'm glad the energy is going through the right channels of the tree so far! __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

RAYNDING2

Registered:1442223763
Posts: 10

Posted 1464962137	Reply with quote #14

As with all virus infections it cannot be removed,it's systemic,it can be removed by meristem tissue being cultured but with great difficulty, mainly with more valuable plants than figs.It can be hidden with good culture but not eradicated and it is no good looking for a "clean shoot" to grow on,it's still contaminated.

hoosierbanana

Registered:1287901146
Posts: 2,186

Posted 1464998178	Reply with quote #15

It can be removed with : organogenesis, somatic embryogenesis, thermotherapy, shoot culture, apical meristem culture, and apomixis. It does make a difference selecting a healthy shoot, absolutely, but you need to try it for it to work. __________________ 7a, DE

Jerry_M

Registered:1427223807
Posts: 344

Posted 1465044172	Reply with quote #16

If it were mine I would do what others have suggested here, pot it up and apply fertilizer. I use liquid plant food applied every 7-10 days. Be sure to water well before applying the liquid fertilizer. __________________ Jerry Canyon Lake, TX 8b Wanted: Cajun Gold, Louisiana Honey, Schar Israel-114 grams

TheASTrader

Registered:1462409587
Posts: 43

Posted 1477425798 · Edited	Reply with quote #17

I just wanted to give an update to this post to perhaps encourage others not to give up on their badly infected trees. This is the same VdB(UCD) today. It grew completely new growth that started under the soil line. You can still actually see the old growth still stunted at the base. I took everyone's advice and did the following: 1. Up-potted. It went from a 1gal to 3gal and used 5-1-1 in this one. 2. The roots looked sickly, so prior to up-potting, I root pruned and shook off existing potting mix. I also soaked the bare root plant in water with Superthrive and Tappin Roots All Stages for maybe 20 minutes. 3. Added Mykos to the roots when up-potted. 4. More fertilization and nutrients. I initially added 1 scoop of Osmocote Plus and a handful of lime and worm castings per gal of 5-1-1. I also began fertigating with very dilute measures of each Dyna-Gro Foliage Pro + Protekt + Superthrive with daily watering. Then I started following ascpete's suggested dose of Ironite and Garden-Tone. Things really took off with this combination. Thank you all for the help. I really did almost throw this one away. Glad I didn't! __________________ USDA Zone 10a & 8b Wish List: Bebera Branca, Ischia Black and as many else I can fit.

Brooklynmatty

Registered:1434844871
Posts: 279

Posted 1477428087	Reply with quote #18

Looks great - i agree that one shouldnt give up on plants. Half the time its lack of micronutrients and needing better medium/bigger pots and they will thrive. Great job __________________ Matt - Long Island - Zone 7B Wishlist: CDD Roja, Planera, CDD Rimada Please use the following thread if your growing my "unknown Sheepshead" to track your progress. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/saved-brooklyn-tree-unknown-sheepshead-community-growlog-7808733?pid=1290171384

AltadenaMara

Registered:1422990132
Posts: 375

Posted 1477447084	Reply with quote #19

Both my VdB had leaves that looked just like yours did in your picture of 6/01. I dug one up, put it in a SIP pot with afternoon shade, doses of fertilizer, and it is growing back healthy like yours is. The other one dropped all its leaves and is trying to revive. Now I have a Incharo Preto that has a top 10" with leaves that look the same. (Aren't they weird looking?)Guess it's time to go to work on it also. Some fig trees must need more care and attention than others. __________________ Mara Southern California Zone 1990= 9b 2012= 10a 2020=?

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,712

Posted 1477492495	Reply with quote #20

Thanks for the update. Nice to see you overcome the potential loss. __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1477495720	Reply with quote #21

It looks great!! Glad you kept it :-) __________________ Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a Looking for... Socorro Blk Wuhan Jolly Tiger Lamperia Preta Herschtetten St. Jean Black Ischia "The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa "Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~ "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

coop951

Registered:1217167527
Posts: 595

Posted 1477532903 · Edited	Reply with quote #22

I also have a UCD VdB that was badly infected. I just didnt have the heart to throw it out so I planted it in ground last year. and on the complete opposite area from my figs. It died back to the ground and then grew about 3 feet this year. No ripe figs but definitely many less mottled leaves. I'm just leaving it out there and will see just how tough it is. Maybe next year..... __________________ Coop Northern NJ Zone 7a

helike13

Registered:1456145451
Posts: 185

Posted 1477556109	Reply with quote #23

Graft them onto some fast and hardy vigorous varieties and they will overgrow their virus. __________________ My varieties: Baracska [P], Tihany [P], Gustissimo® Peretta [P], Dark Portuguese Unk [P], Zidi (UCD) [S], UK Purple [C], Black Bursa [S], Roscoff [PC], Capri UNK [C], Black Malta [P], Panachee Tiger [P], Feng Chan Huang [P], Iraqi (Palmata Hybrid) [P], Ice Crystal [S], Ficus racemosa, De la Reina (MP) [P], Doree Goutte d'Or [P]

striveforfreedom

Registered:1322497326
Posts: 437

Posted 1478134332 · Edited	Reply with quote #24

Keep, keep, keep. I had 7 that were 2 years old displaying heavy FMV and no fruit. Last year when they went dormant I root pruned and repotted in fresh soil and stored inside cold basement for winter. My thought process was if the roots grew strongly over winter the results would be seen above the soil level. In early April I moved them to warmer part of basement where they got light and I pruned them heavily. End result: Lots of fruit and healthy tree this summer. No FMV. Your trees may be able to grow it out. Hope this helps. __________________ Vince Russo Norwalk, CT Zone 7A Wish list - Any cuttings of the Col de Dames would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Previous Topic | Next Topic

Modal title

Insert Code

Please paste your code into the box below: