Fig mosaic virus?

Bill D

Well-known member
I have some funny looking leaves on one cutting. Is this fig mosaic virus? And what should I do?
 

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I have some funny looking leaves on one cutting. Is this fig mosaic virus? And what should I do?
Fertilize it well and make sure the fertilizer has micro nutrients in it as well. It should grow out of it. Do not pluck off the leaf until it starts growing normal leafs and has a good amount of them. Or do not pluck off the leaf at all. Some people just don’t like the way it looks so they remove it but early on that does harm. The plants store allot of stuff in its leafs and when you remove it you take away what ever it had stored in there. On an older mature tree not a big deal but on a newly rooted cutting that is a big deal for the little thing.
 
Just keep it happy and fed! Plus one on including micros in your fert. Which should be diluted for now. I had one that had the most deformed, ugly leaves last year. He grew out of it even after I neglected him all summer. About his 5th leaf looked totally normal again.
 
Should I isolate it or anything to protect my other cuttings or is it really no big deal? Im new to figs so I have never had to deal with anything like this. Just super worried I will do something wrong 😆
 
Should I isolate it or anything to protect my other cuttings or is it really no big deal? Im new to figs so I have never had to deal with anything like this. Just super worried I will do something wrong 😆
To be honest almost all your figs that aren’t tissue culture have probably been exposed to it. Most trees will grow out of symptoms with good feedings, micros and time. If you look around enough you’ll find there is a disagreement that weird leaves on cuttings is nutrient deficiency vs fig mosaic. The one thing both sides usually agree on is just feed it and give it time.
 
Also if after a decent amount of time the tree still shows symptoms you can air layer a branch that isn’t showing symptoms and use the branch with the lower viral load(less or no symptoms) to start a new tree.
 
Also if after a decent amount of time the tree still shows symptoms you can air layer a branch that isn’t showing symptoms and use the branch with the lower viral load(less or no symptoms) to start a new tree.
Good to know thank you. Also just so I know, its really nothing too much to worry about right? I did a little research but its been a busy couple days so haven't really gotten to dig. And would you happen to have a micro nutrients/fertilizer brand and ratio that would be ok for cuttings this young?
 
Good to know thank you. Also just so I know, it’s really nothing too much to worry about right? I did a little research but it’s been a busy couple days so haven't really gotten to dig. And would you happen to have a micro nutrients/fertilizer brand and ratio that would be ok for cuttings this young?
Yea most the time it’s blown out of proportion from what I’ve seen/read. Some trees will show symptoms or slow growth due to it later, but it’s well worth playing the odds imo. I just use diluted miracle grow, bloom city kelp and some calcium. Something pretty simple like that should get them by until they get big enough for whatever fertilizer regiment you use. Unless you specifically identify a deficiency and it persist I wouldn’t worry too much.
 
Also just so I’m being completely transparent I have some experience, but most of what I’ve learned is from talking to or reading post from other growers with tremendously more experience and knowledge.
 
About 30 percent of my cuttings if not more have looked weird mis-shapen or mottled and sometimes even ones where the first leaves look fine sometimes the next few leaves look weird. Just about every cutting I've rooted have become normal once I have given it a couple of dilute fertilizer feedings with a little bit of micronutrients like everyone says. FYI It doesn't fix the leaves that are already weird but new ones come out normal.
Just like figjig I am new too and I got advice for the great people here. I never quarantined any of my plants and I freaked out too the first time but just take good care of them and give them what they need and they will grow up pretty.👍
 
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