Fig mosaic virus/disease.

[GoodFriendMike]

It seems many fig varieties are infected with this virus.
But with proper care they can "grow out of it".
Some like Sbayi and Black Maderia have many strains of this virus.
And are known for there slow growth because of it. Sometimes the infected trees will
produce a healthier branch. That branch should be marcotted and grown as a separate tree.
That way later it can replace the mother tree with a healthier "strain".
Photo of a badly infected young tree.

 

[Rob]

This paper seems to suggest that in the near future plants will able to be grown FMV free, and at a guess the price will not be cheap. The conclusion and complete paper are below.

 

[ktrain]

I have a few that are infected...one of them does indeed have a nice branch growing, setting some more air layers tomorrow.

 

[TorontoJoe]

I just accept FMV as part of life now. I usually just wait for them to grow out of it. I've never lost a tree but it can really set them back. I never tried marcotting a health looking branch as I always assumed it would be infected but just not presenting the symptoms. I'll give it a try.

 

[superdave336]

I’ve been seeing more guys talking about nutrients and minerals for them that seem to help. Also the addition of epson salt to help uptake them.

 

[scott_va]

I once grew 5 fig trees from a single USDA Wolfskill origin Black Madeira cutting. 3 were variably affected by mosaic, 2 were seemingly unaffected. Cuttings taken from the most unaffected tree were reported by others to root readily and grow well. The most affected ones that I kept responded to fertilizer and eventually seemingly grew out of it. I assumed they were all infected, just variably.

 

[bushdoctor82]

Some of the cuttings I rooted a few years back were all wonky and unhealthy looking with what could have been FMV so I threw them away.

Many claim it’s a nutrient deficiency of some sort or it’s no issue at all and the tree can live and produce fine with the virus, akin to herpes in humans - Me, I don’t want herpes or unhealthy trees.

 

[Figless]

I've had a Bass's Favorite Fig be so heavily stricken with FMV. I had to prop it up for months with a V shaped cane, or it would have withered into the dirt. Eventually it did recover

 

[Figgerlickinggood]

One thing I noticed at my other house when most of my trees were inground, not one had FMV or other the other usual problems. they were very healthy trees. On the other hand my container trees were a constant battle, FMV, fig mites, scale, fungus gnats.

 

[Figless]

Interesting Teresa probably has a lot to do with the container, pot soil mix. I personally think a mineral soil potting mix that is fertilizer dependent is the very best one for containers. The compost potting soils often breed some sick figgies. At least in my. Opinion.

 

[scott_va]

I heavily pruned all my potted figs last fall and also root pruned and repotted them. I changed the soil mix by adding about 30% potting soil (coast of maine soil builder) that contains kelp, peat, shellfish compost, manure, worm castings, and aged bark. I think it made a difference. I’m also a big believer in putting pelletized lime on during the season.