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Potential rust on pj fig (confirmation required)

Posted: May 12th, 2015, 4:15 pm
by mjhc
Hi guys.
I've never seen rust before but after doing some research on here and in the book ficus in the temperate climate this is the closest diagnosis I can find. I just don't want to go spraying for one thing when it's something's else all together.
Please see pics below. If it is rust, can I ask the method that you guys have treated in the passed in relation to watering, light levels and separation.

Also I live quite close to the coast at the start of the Mornington Penisula in Victoria and as it's coming into winter I just wanted to see what other people where doing with there figs in this climate. I have a small really cheap greenhouse I was going to put them in over winter to protect from frost but didn't want to do with one being sick and then potentially all of them getting it. Last year I left the, outside with no issues but they were slow to take off in spring. I was thinking that if I can protect over winter it might give them a head start come spring.
Thanks
Michael

Re: Potential rust on pj fig (confirmation required)

Posted: May 13th, 2015, 1:50 pm
by treeman
Not rust but possibly botrytis. Too wet at the roots or too much feed or too much humidity or too cold or a combination.
Check the roots. And yes control water in the winter if you can.

Re: Potential rust on pj fig (confirmation required)

Posted: May 13th, 2015, 7:35 pm
by mjhc
Thanks very much treeman. I will treat, watch the water, greenhouse the tree and see how it goes.

Re: Potential rust on pj fig (confirmation required)

Posted: May 13th, 2015, 9:26 pm
by Homer911
mjhc, what are you going to treat with? I have the same problem.....

Re: Potential rust on pj fig (confirmation required)

Posted: May 14th, 2015, 12:00 pm
by mjhc
Yates fungus gun from Big green shed. It's a broad spectrum fungicide that will hopefully work. Let me know if it helps. I'll try this on mine tonight and keep out of the rain/weather.

Re: Potential rust on pj fig (confirmation required)

Posted: May 14th, 2015, 12:04 pm
by Homer911
Cheers mate, I also read that they do not like temperatures below 10*C. Think I might bring mine indoors. Has only got below 10*C once this year so far in Sydney.


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Re: Potential rust on pj fig (confirmation required)

Posted: May 14th, 2015, 12:35 pm
by cre8ivbonsai
How wet/free draining is the soil?

a pic of the root base and soil line might help


If the roots are soaking and rotting, spraying the foliage with chemicals isn't going to help :imo:

I'd keep outside, bring under cover so that you can control watering, but try to ensure it still gets as much sun as possible. Then repot around Oct into a free-draining mix (then you can feed it back to health)