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Potted fig #752862

Asked May 29, 2021, 2:48 PM EDT

We bought this fig a year ago snd this lemon two years ago. Both reported this year and both super sad. The fig is drooping with this speckled leafs and the lemon has yellowing leaves. Tried to research online but nothing consistent.

Clackamas County Oregon

Expert Response

Hello Michelle-Shari- Thanks for your questions and pictures of your lemon and fig trees. I'm assuming you repotted them this year and there could be several problems. First the lemon tree:
According to Better Homes and Gardens magazine, the causes of yellow leaves on citrus can be:
  • Changes in weather
  • Too much or too little water
  • Lack of nutrients
  • Pests or parasites
  • Root rot
  • Sunburn
  • Citrus diseases

I believe we can rule out the bottom four of these, and the following article tells how to take care of nutrient deficiencies, which I think is the most likely cause of your yellow leaves. There are some good citrus fertilizers which you need to apply regularly to your plant, following the directions on the bag. Also, follow the watering regimen mentioned in the article carefully by not watering until the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry. Nothing you can do about the weather though!

http://acmg.ucanr.edu/files/204721.pdf

As for the fig tree, the spots on the leaves look like fig rust and with our crazy spring weather (hot, cold, hot, cold) it has been a good year for the fungus. Attached is an article about figs from Oregon State, and if you skip down to the part about "figs in pots", you'll see that he doesn't recommend it. He does have some good suggestions, although, if the whole plant is wilted it may be too late to: 1.not over water  2. fertilize or 3.use a soiless potting mix. In that case, try propagating a cutting (see paragraph 11) and hpoe for the best!

https://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/dont-be-fooled-figs-grow-fine-western-oregon

Good luck with both!

Rhonda Frick-Wright Replied June 01, 2021, 3:46 PM EDT
Thank you thank you.  Thinking it’s root rot.  Trying a homeopathic option of garlic and water.  Hope that works.

On Jun 1, 2021, at 12:46 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

The Question Asker Replied June 03, 2021, 3:52 PM EDT

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