What are the black spots on my Port Jackson Fig leaves?

[BonsaiBoy]

My poor fig is looking bad. Its got black spots on heaps of the leaves. The spots look black on top but brown like rust on the bottom.
Here is a picture.

Black spots.JPG

Can anyone please tell me what is wrong and if there is anything I can do? Is it really bad?
thanks BB

[ketutg]

what is the weather like where you are right now? has there been a drop in temperature (i.e. colder nights)?
the problem could be frost related...

[Paloma]

Is it happening all over the tree, or just on some leaves?

Looks like too much water. Perhaps it would be a good idea to repot to a more free-draining mix?
You guys have had a lot of rain recently. Check that excess water can escape freely from the bottom of the pot first.

[BonsaiBoy]

Thanks guys. Its been pretty wet and cool lately. 12 to 24 degrees. The spots are only on some of the leaves.
Cheers BB

[Bretts]

I remember reading about looking out for black spot on figs. Maybe it was in Daves book?

[bonscythe]

Hi,
Those black spots look like a fungal infection of some sort. A bit late for you now but I was just searching for something on black edges of fig leaves and saw this thread. How is the plant now?
Hoy Leong Kwong's book 'Ficus Bonsai: in The Temperate Climate' has a very thorough description of a wide range of fig pests/diseases and how to solve them, heaps of pictures too which helps to work out your problem(s)!
Here's a link to his book - http://www.bonsaisouth.com.au/cms3/inde ... &Itemid=62
Cheers

[Pup]

It is a fungal infection, one of the many rust's. It needs to be treated.With a fungicide.
The tree also needs to be kept a bit dryer than it is at the moment. Also it needs a bit more air movement around it.

Cheers Young Dog

[EdwardH]

I think that the spots are related to too much water, possibly caused by poor drainage or sitting the pot in a tray of water. I had this problem this spring as I was sitting the mini in a tray of water. The pot is 10 x 5 x 4cm. All the leaves went yellow with black spots all over. I repotted and left it out of the water tray and simply watered it like my larger pots. The tree bounced back with a complete set of new leaves about 1cm in lenth. All the leaves are now a healthy green with no black spots or yellowing of the leaves.

[bonscythe]

Good point EdwardH, but I think that the excess water alone would not be the primary cause of such a problem. The fact that an excess of water sitting around the roots would preclude a lack of air circulating around the roots, which in turn would aid fungal pests (such as the Rusts that Pup mentioned) and increase the severity of the symptoms, I would say that there is something else going on than simply overwatering.
But overwatering will exacerbate the problem, especially if the leaves are allowed to get wet during watering.
How is this tree now?

[agent_zero]

My PJ fig has the same thing. Should i pull the leaves with black spots off and spray the bonsai with a fungicide? Can anyone recommend a fungicide?

[bonsai_Dan]

My fig started to get the same problem and i caused it by over watering it. Mine's only a baby though so i removed all the leafs and I don't water it as much any more. It hasn't come back and my Pj fig is doing better then ever since i don't water it as much any more.

Good luck with it.

Dan

[kvan64]

LIke Pup and other said, it is fungus problem. If you are in Brisbane, this is a good time to defoliage so as the old saying, one stone - two birds. get rid of the fungus and improve leaf size and ramification. If you do go for defoliation, make sure it is a complete removal of all leaves and tips.
Cheers,
DK

[tom k]

I too have a serious rust problem on my figs (PJs and MBs).
Symptoms are as described above, dark brown spots above, rusty brown below with pustules developing and releasing spores. The leaves yellow, leaving irregular green patches around the spots, then drop, older leaves first.
I have recently moved to a house with a very sick F. carica (edible fig) which i suspect of having infected my plants.
There is a disease of edible figs called Cerotelium fici (Fig Rust) that is treated with copper-based fungicides so I'll probably try that.
Does anyone know if Cerotelium is is the likely culprit or have experience (successful or not) with treating this problem with any particular fungicide?
If anyone has Kwong's book I'd be grateful if you'd have a look for any advice that might help.
I'll post here with my results when I try something.
Thanks!

[Dwi]

I've got Leong Kwong's Ficus book Tom.

Reference: Ficus Bonsai in the Temperate Climate by Hoy Leong Kwong
Page34.

Here's what Leong wrote:

Rust (Cerotelium Fici)

Description - The infection initially appears as small yellowish-green spots on the leaves. The spots then develop into a dark, reddish-brown tinge on the surface and the underside of the leaves.

Symptoms - this usually occurs in mid to late summer when the humidity is high. Severe infections will cause leaf yellowing and defoliation of the plant. The infection is usually on the inside leaves that are shaded and have poor ventilation.

Control - When watering, avoid wetting leaves. Prune heavy leaf pats ti increase air circulation. Spray with lime sulphur or sodium bicarbonate. Alternatively, take preventive measures by collecting and destroying infected leaves to reduce spore inoculum.

There is also another reference in his book with a similar description

Black Spot - Anthracnose (Glomerella cingulata)

Description - The infected leaves are characterised by small, slightly pinkish-red, rusty spots that turn black as they progress.

Symptoms - This usually occurs when the night temperature falls below 15C and it exacerbated by excessive watering. The infected leaves will eventually turn yellow with black spots and fall off.

Control - Keep plant stress from water and heat to a minimum. Spray the plant with lime sulphur, sodium bicarbonate or mancozeb. Remove and destroy fallen leaves to reduce infective spores from regenerating next season.

In my opinion, if you want to grow figs, Leong Kwong's book is a definite 'Must - Have'.

[tom k]

Thanks Dwi.
Certainly sounds like the Cerotelium, will treat my plants and kill the useless unfruitful source of the contagion. Was undecided whether it was worth trying to rehabilitate, this has made up my mind.
Kwong's book sounds great, will grab it as soon as I have the cash.