I planted this fig tree a few weeks back and have sprayed it with neem oil twice to deal with a caterpillar issue, which seems to have stopped. But now I’ve noticed the leaves are turning yellow and dropping off. Could this be due to over-watering or under-watering? Fall is here, with temperatures now in the 70s during the day and down to the 40s at night. Is this leaf drop normal for the season? I’m new to fig trees, so any advice is appreciated!
If it’s autumn where you are, it’s just going into dormancy. Totally normal. Mine looks even worse right now in zone 6B.
Darby said:
If it’s autumn where you are, it’s just going into dormancy. Totally normal. Mine looks even worse right now in zone 6B.
This happens every year to mine too.
Darby said:
If it’s autumn where you are, it’s just going into dormancy. Totally normal. Mine looks even worse right now in zone 6B.
Phew! Thanks for that info!
Darby said:
If it’s autumn where you are, it’s just going into dormancy. Totally normal. Mine looks even worse right now in zone 6B.
Phew! Thanks for that info!
Your fig is just signaling it’s time to reduce watering so the new growth can toughen up for winter. Different varieties tolerate different cold levels, but since it’s young, maybe wrap it with burlap or another cover to help it survive cold days. Without leaves, it won’t need much water, so keep it on the drier side till spring.
Darby said:
If it’s autumn where you are, it’s just going into dormancy. Totally normal. Mine looks even worse right now in zone 6B.
Phew! Thanks for that info!
It’s the amount of light that tells trees it’s fall. My mature fig looks exactly the same right now.
Darby said:
If it’s autumn where you are, it’s just going into dormancy. Totally normal. Mine looks even worse right now in zone 6B.
I’m in zone 6B/7A (Oklahoma). Do you know what type of fig you have? I’d love to grow one, but my trees haven’t survived past three winters, no matter how much I protect them from cold snaps.
@Vann
We’re on the Oregon Coast (Zone 7) with a Desert King fig. Every August, it’s loaded with fruit. It drops its leaves in fall and then greens up again come spring.
@Vann
Mine were gifted, so I’m not sure of the type. I keep them in large pots and store them in the garage over winter. They come out when they’re ready to break dormancy.
@Vann
Try a variety like ‘Smith’ that fruits on new wood. Cover the roots each year with a thick layer of mulch, or bury the whole plant. You can bend the branches down and cover them too.
@Vann
You might have better luck with a Northwest clone.
Darby said:
If it’s autumn where you are, it’s just going into dormancy. Totally normal. Mine looks even worse right now in zone 6B.
I’m in 6B too! What type of figs are you growing? My wife’s uncle has a bunch, but he doesn’t speak English, so I only get bits and pieces of info.
It’s autumn, and figs are deciduous. So they naturally drop their leaves. Nothing unusual here.
I don’t get how people don’t know this by now!
Haven said:
I don’t get how people don’t know this by now!
I think it’s kind of sweet that people care so much about their plants and get a bit worried.
Are there a lot of people moving from warm places up north?
Hero said:
Are there a lot of people moving from warm places up north?
Leaves fall off in the south too! Unless you mean places near the equator.
Hero said:
Are there a lot of people moving from warm places up north?
Leaves fall off in the south too! Unless you mean places near the equator.
Yeah, I guess it’s more like places near the equator where people don’t see seasonal changes.
@Zain
Wait, all the figs grow at the bottom? That’s wild!