What's your question? Ask

Fig Tree

Q.Fig Leaves Turning Yellow

Zone 8b | Anonymous added on August 30, 2021 | Answered

I read the entries you already have on the subject. But one thing that confuses me is I live in Japan which has a rainy season. This year it went on for six weeks! During that entire period, my new fig trees flourished. They grew like mad and leaves very green and healthy. Now we’re in our hot And somewhat less humid season. So seeing how they thrived in the rainy season, I have been watering daily, maybe 30 seconds with the hose per tree per day in the morning. And now, the leaves are turning yellow and falling off. I’ve just added coffee grounds as we are totally organic but I’m just confused about whether they want water or not! Thanks so much!

A.Answers to this queston: Add Answer
BushDoctor
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
Answered on September 15, 2021

No, they will not want more water at this time.

Plants take quite awhile to respond to their environment. This can take a week or two. Likely, the rain helped them, at first. For the first week or so, it was ok. By the second week, you would start to notice the growth take off, but after about 3 of those weeks, the plant's roots will start to suffocate without a dry out. Well, it will take a few more weeks of this to notice any significant problems arise. Now, it seems that the wet, and continued watering, has caught up with the health of the tree.

At this time, I would try to ensure that your tree's soil dries out to, roughly, 8-10 cm between waterings. This will keep the most important soil layer healthy by allowing fungi and bacteria (that are usually beneficial) that require oxygen to survive to get what they need. If this remains saturated, anaerobic bacteria and detrimental fungi will take over. This is what is happening, here.

I recommend Mycorrhizal organism when this happens. They can overpower pathogens in the soil, and protect plants from future infections.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/fungus-lichen/mycorrhizal-fungi-information.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/biofungicide-information.htm

Standard fungicides can help, as well.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm

Do be sure and keep all fallen foliage and twigs picked up and away from the area, and if possible, remove them before they fall to avoid sporulation.

Was this answer useful?
00

Log in or sign up to help answer this question.

Did you find this helpful? Share it with your friends!

You must be logged into your account to answer a question.

If you don't have an account sign up for an account now.

Looking for more?
here are more questions about...
Fig Tree
Join Us - Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips!

Do you know a lot about gardening?
Become a GKH Gardening Expert

OK