Hey ya’ll
Does anyone have a reliable, organic/non-synthetic means of preventing fig rust on fig foliage? I’ve had some success with using kaolin clay. However, this summer in KY we’ve had at least 30 inches of rain and very high humidity, so pressure is intense. The kaolin clay has helped keep it in check but it is steadily getting worse. Any fig rust experts out there?
Proper pruning and airflow are the main combatants. Besides that sulfur fungicide works well. I’ve heard silica in the soil works but no experience there
@Blake
Once it appears, you can kill it by several means but the affected leaves will not heal themselves nor will the dead fungi fall from the leaves. However, after treatment the leaves can be removed and then application of a fast-acting relatively high nitrogen source should promote new leaves. Fish emulsion is an example for organic production.
The most effective fungicide for fig rust is water-soluble sulfur granules, sold over the counter as Lilly Miller Sulfur Dust and commercially as Thiolux. Some NGO accreditation agencies rate WSG sulfur as “organic”.
@snarfing
Pruning and improved airflow are not applicable to his situation nor is it feasible in a nursery operation.
Would lime sulfur work? I have five gallons of the stuff it’s getting old. Easy to obtain. Nice organic fungicide. I use it on my grapes mostly and lilacs. Helps with bud rot in hemp/pot too.
you could try LABs. maybe try it on pawpaw for phyllosticta as well.
Kaolin is pretty hopeless once you’ve had that much rain, nothing sticks. Sulfur is the only thing that’s actually held for me. Still lose leaves every August but it at least slows it down before the tree starts hardening off.
What is LABs?
I’ve been impressed with how kaolin has actually persisted through our intense rains. It doesn’t immediately all wash off the foliage. But I’ve been spraying it weekly as well.
I think it’s time for sulfur.
This is what LSU Ag Center has to say about fig rust. I have used the copper fungicide some years and I think it helped somewhat. One year I remember I had sprayed and my trees still had a good leaf cover and my brother’s trees a few miles away had lost most all of their leaves.
saw a guy spraying on apples/pears/peaches too but i cant find the video at the moment.
The problem with copper is how weak and this one needs the old school products. I use a copper that is 66% versus 10% in current products Well Southern Ag has a decent product and Kocide is still available amazingly.
Here fig rust is light not really an issue. Not bad enough to treat most years. I have zero this year.