PJ fig leaves deformed

Post Reply
Thomo
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 23
Joined: December 14th, 2010, 8:14 pm
Favorite Species: Acer
Bonsai Age: 3
Location: Rosanna, Vic

PJ fig leaves deformed

Post by Thomo »

Hi All, Does anyone know what will cause a Port Jackson fig leaves to be stunted, deformed and off colour like in the first image below?
I've narrowed it down to over watering, under watering, lack of feed, or a disease :palm: :D

It is about 20 years old. Was repotted in Dec 2021. I think the issue was present then, but not as bad. It seems to drain ok. It gets watered the same as other healthy figs on the same bench as it. I fed it with some slow release plant fert after the repot.

It seems to be worse on one side of the tree. The third image is of some healthier growth. But I think it is getting worse.

20220606_125000.jpg
20220606_143036s.jpg
20220606_125014.jpg
Thanks!
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
treeman
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 2842
Joined: August 15th, 2011, 4:47 pm
Favorite Species: any
Bonsai Age: 25
Location: melbourne
Has thanked: 29 times
Been thanked: 577 times

Re: PJ fig leaves deformed

Post by treeman »

I hope I'm wrong and it's an insect of some kind or a root problem, but that looks very much like a virus that got into some of figs a few years ago. If the new growth comes up the same again and again, I'm afraid it's off to the burn pile because there is no cure. Make sure you sterilize your tools before touching another fig.
Mike
tgooboon
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 100
Joined: February 9th, 2019, 9:07 am
Favorite Species: Japanese Black Pine & Ficus
Bonsai Age: 7
Location: Mackay Queensland
Has thanked: 82 times
Been thanked: 35 times

Re: PJ fig leaves deformed

Post by tgooboon »

Are there any insects curled up inside the leaves. Thrips can attack benjamina leaves.
User avatar
Grant Bowie
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 3809
Joined: February 18th, 2009, 3:22 pm
Favorite Species: Banksia
Bonsai Age: 52
Bonsai Club: Canberra
Location: Canberra
Been thanked: 347 times

Re: PJ fig leaves deformed

Post by Grant Bowie »

It’s Thrip. See what chemicals are available to treat it.

Grant
Thomo
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 23
Joined: December 14th, 2010, 8:14 pm
Favorite Species: Acer
Bonsai Age: 3
Location: Rosanna, Vic

Re: PJ fig leaves deformed

Post by Thomo »

Thanks all for the advice. I'm hoping it is thrip and not the virus.

I didn't see any insects, but it is cold and they may have disappeared for the winter.

For now I have moved it away from my other figs, out of caution. I think I have some natrasoap in the shed and some confidor. I'll see if any of them work. And come spring, keep vigilant to find them early.
Ozyswed
Posts: 1
Joined: September 24th, 2022, 10:16 am
Favorite Species: Fig
Bonsai Age: 25

Re: PJ fig leaves deformed

Post by Ozyswed »

Hi Thomo,
How's you go with checking for thrip or other cause of the leaf curl, discolouration?
My fig has what's looks to be same affecting it.
Dendrophile Dave
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 24
Joined: December 1st, 2022, 4:53 pm
Favorite Species: Ficus
Bonsai Age: 3
Bonsai Club: Victorian Native & Northern Suburbs Melbourne
Location: Melbourne, AUS
Has thanked: 21 times
Been thanked: 14 times

Re: PJ fig leaves deformed

Post by Dendrophile Dave »

i second fig mosaic virus sorry to say
Post Reply

Return to “Ficus”