Fw: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page

[Dick Gross]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dick Gross" <rkgross3 at cox.net>
To: <>
Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 1:14 PM
Subject: Re: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page


 Observations of a novice: 

Keep in mind that shedding leaves and small fruit  is as natural as shedding dead cells from human flesh that happens all the  time on healthy skin. If trauma from any one or a combination of growing conditions excedes the ability of the plant to respond, the plant tries to lighten its need for those resources by shedding leaves and fruit until a balance is reached where the amount of water and nutrient in combination with the root system and foliage can suppprt what is left of the organism.

Under stress, the tree may adjust by shedding more. If we percieve shedding to be abnormal, we have reason to be concerned but the most we can do is feed and water the tree properly. I assume you know the kind of culture figs require but if not, a wealth of information is on line. 

Deep watering at the drip line and feeding with the appropriate amount of 21-0-0 Ammonoum Sulfate in the same area with the right amount applied at the right time is, I believe, the proper regime but don't take my word as gospel if a fig expert tells you otherwise. There is a lot on line about fig culture and two mature trees, from which Master Gardeners eat all the time, thrive at the Maricopa County Cooperative Extension with little or no deliberate care of which I am aware. The species is, in my experience, pretty comfortable in this climate.

Rereading the above makes me think I've only skimmed the surface but if specific questions still arise, submit them. A vast wealth of knowledge dwells in the minds of Master Gardeners in this State but most of us are very timid  and reluctant to share lest they come across as stupid. Like me sometimes. Kidding, sort of.

Respond if this analysis does not serve your purpose.

I do not believe full sun is causing the problem but a lack of or too-shallow irrigation in the feeder root zone straddling the drip line could cause similar symtoms. A fruit tree without full sun is not apt to fruit at all. Irrigate at least three feet deep in the drip zone. You can check depth with a barbeque spit or a 1/4th inch brass rod 36" long with a crude handle and a dullpoint. When you can sink it full length to the hilt in several places, you are finished. When you scratch two or three inches into dry soil in the drip line or if you note a lack of luster on the foliage or detect a sag or droop in the foliage, it is time to repeat the irrigation. Frequency can vary from weekly to monthly or longer depending on a lot of factors. You can get the rod at any hardware. Make a handle from a piece of broom stick or old piece of shovel handle glued on with ordinary construction glue after you have drilled an appropriate hole of the appropriate diameter.

Don't let your kids use the soil probe to play Zorro. Store it out of reach and out of site.

Dick Gross, Master Gardener Volunteer.
Contrasting opinions invited



 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <pgehlker at fastq.com>
> To: <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>
> Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 10:11 AM
> Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page
> 
> 
>> Paulette Gehlker
>> 85053
>> pgehlker at fastq.com
>>
>> My fig tree is full of small fruit, however, the leaves ae turing yellow 
>> and falling off. It does get all day sun. Could the hot afternoon sun be 
>> causing it?
>>
>> I am at a loss. What kind of fertilizer should I use?
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Arid_gardener mailing list
>> Arid_gardener at CALS.arizona.edu
>> http://CALS.arizona.edu/mailman2/listinfo/arid_gardener
>> 
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://CALS.arizona.edu/pipermail/arid_gardener/attachments/20070520/c78e4259/attachment.html