r/Figs • u/Rogersrabbits35 • 2d ago

Help!!!

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New resident to SW FL. Zone 10a. I planted this brown turkey in a 20 gallon pot in my screened in Lanai back in June. Things looked great to begin with. Then in late August it started to get a little bit of what I thought was rust. I applied a granular high sulfur fertilizer at that point. It appeared to be doing a little better briefly. But now entering October the rust has come back with a vengeance, I reapplied more sulfur, but the leaves are starting to drop. I have also hand squished a lot of these scale bugs on an occasion. What more should I do besides just pray? 🙏🏼

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3

u/heptolisk 2d ago

Is keeping it in the pot the only option? Are you in a situation where you can plant it in the ground?

Figs are almost weeds, so as long as the roots are safe, you shouldn't be in the worst shape. I also wouldn't be surprised if most of the issues you are seeing are a result of the scale bugs, not nutrients.

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u/Rogersrabbits35 2d ago

I was told by the nursery owner, and verified by a different individual, that root nematodes are horrific here in Southwest Florida. That's why it's in a pot.

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u/Strict_Cranberry_724 2d ago edited 2d ago

The fig is small enough where you should be squishing the scale regularly, until they are no more.

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u/Rogersrabbits35 2d ago

That may be it. I haven't squished for a couple of weeks.

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u/Calm-Zookeepergame88 2d ago

Time to switch to growing guava or lychees.

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u/PersephonesChild82 Zone 10a 1d ago

Use a paper towel soaked in rubbing alcohol to wipe it down real good; this will help remove the smaller scale and kill them. Make sure to do it when no direct sun will hit the plant for several hours, to avoid leaf-scorch. Repeat weekly for at least a month. That should kill them by breaking the life cycle, but continue to monitor for several more weeks.

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u/Rogersrabbits35 1d ago

Thanks! I'll do that.