Discolored lower leaves

[Pdiscool]

Hey all, am I correct in thinking this is nitrogen deficiency? It looks like it’s the oldest leaves. Thanks

[Vladimir]

I doubt that it is nitrogen deficiency. Mine are doing that now because they are getting ready to go dormant. Those leaves will fall off, followed by leaves higher up.

[Vladimir]

TorontoJoe They are not yet dormant but bottom leaves on some are turning yellow and dropping. Still a lot of green leaves left. I doubt that they are nutrient deficient because I feed every two weeks.

[TorontoJoe]

Fair enough... Personally, I don't think the trees are being triggered toward dormancy just yet. (please no)

I do think lower leaves, like in many other plants just age out and die during the course of the season.

[ginamcd]

No sign of dormancy going on here, so I think you are in the clear Joe. I think Pete is right in his post below given the paleness of the leaves higher up.

[Sulev]

Don't worry, that's definitely NOT a disease or even sign of nutrient deficiency.
This is most likely premature leaf discoloration because of drought or hot weather. Insufficient watering during heat wave, too high soil temperature etc can force similar dormancy as cold weather.

[AscPete]

Possibly Mobile Nutrient Deficiency...


Possible Magnesium, Nitrogen and or Sulfur Deficiency



Visible Leaf Nutrient Deficiency

[acerpictum]

This is the absence of chlorophyll. Why the destruction of this pigment occurs, I do not know. In one variety, I also have half of the leaves turned bright yellow, like ginkgo leaves in the fall. And after 3 days they all fell to the ground. I suppose that not all varieties withstand the stress of drought and heat equally easily.

[Red_Sun]

This is not any kind of nutrient deficiency. This is caused by the recent heatwaves across the country. It is taking a toll of all container plants.

If you take photos of your entire trees, we can see that you get large trees in small black-colored pots with potting mix far below normal capacity. Also they sit on paved surface. All those things are heat sinks. The local temperature was so hot that the plants would not able to take in water. More nutrient fertilizer actually is even worse in this kind of situation. You'd need to mist the plants from the top. Or shade the plants during this kind of conditions.

With the stress and lack of water, plants shed leaves to survive. We see this all the time in early fall during drought condition.

This is why in late season, we withhold watering and remove top leaves to simulate stress condition and speed up fruit ripening. Plants want to survive. Making fruits and seeds are things they want to do.

[AscPete]

Pdiscool ,

Just curious, what is your Fertilizer Schedule? The amount and frequency? Thanks.

[Pdiscool]

I’ve been doing about 1 ounce per gallon of Alaska fish fertilizer every two weeks

[AscPete]

Pdiscool ,
Thanks for the reply. If that was your only Fertilzer other than any nutrients inherent in the Potting Mix, you may have several nutrient deficiencies...

https://www.ourfigs.com/filedata/fetch?photoid=1035234

Note the attached Nutrient Analysis of Alaska Fish 5-1-1 to Miracle-Gro All Purpose 24-8-16 and Shake nFeed Tomato 10-5-15. The Shake nFeed Tomato is the "More" complete with a Ficus carica (Fig) appropriate NPK Ratio.

https://www.ourfigs.com/filedata/fetch?photoid=1033443

Fig Nutrient Requirements (Fertilizers)... https://www.ourfigs.com/forum/figs-h...42#post1033442

[Pdiscool]

Thanks Pete I will look into