Fig Leaves Turning Yellow

Question

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!

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Answer 1

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.