I have a potted Fig tree, I put it on my balcony, which is northeast facing on the 28th floor. What I could do to make it grow better? There are a couple fruits in May but they has not been growing any bigger since June, and now the leave are turning yellow and falling. Would it helps if I spot light the tree? I have a southeast facing corner inside my apartment, will this be a better location for the fig tree? If so, any advise to avoid insets invading my apartment? I am very new to planting, and the tree is given to me as a gift. I would appreciate any advice, thank you.
May need more or less water, that is what the leaf problem suggests. Won't want to sit outside during Arctic spells in a pot way up in the air, exposed to north winds. You will have to do something about that. Putting it in a heated indoor room is not the answer. Do you have access to an enclosed garage? That might be okay. Do not leave it in there all winter, just when it is cold and snowy.
Thank you Rob for your reply. My fig tree survived one winter already, I covered it with clear plastic bag with a few holes for air and took off the plastic this April and leaves started to grow. I just don't understand why it stopped in the middle of the summer. Now, first week of August, all leaves are gone. the figs are started to dry out. I did water it, but not sure if I am watering it too much or too little. the tree is around 4 ft tall. any advice on the watering? also, I don't have access to an enclosed garage where I can keep the tree. and it is too heavy to move the pot around. It came in a smaller pot and I replanted in a bigger one last year to give the roots more room. so my question is, it is better off staying in the balcony with the wind facing northeast or moving it to indoor with a southeast facing window? my apt is always warm even in the winter (no heat). anyone advice? thank you.
You may have a drainage problem is one possible cause. What kind of soil did you pot it in? Potting soil, garden soil a mix? It could be kind of a delayed shock reaction cause I've seen some plant and trees do some odd things when they have went into shock. It could be also that the variety of the fig tree has slightly different requirements than you may think. Try to find out the variety. Back to the soil, having the right mix for a plant is very important. Sometimes the wrong mix can lead to a sudden death or a long drawn out one but in most instances a good balanced soil like a mix of regular potting mix, garden soil and some sand with pebbles in the bottom of the pot generally will work for almost any plant. Some plant also when you are potting up if you go to big they quit thriving. General rule repot one, no more than 2 sizes up, should typically have about an inch or so around the root ball to the outside of the new pot. Then back fill with soil around the root ball.. It could also be a mold or fungus that has gotten on your tree, probably tha was there before you got it and something happened that brought into play at it has spread. What do the leaves look like before they fall off? Spots? Rusty? White powdery? Describe them please. What about the trunk? Does it seem to be health? Are limbs dying back from the tips all over the tree? A few here and there are normal but a lot is a sign of shock, certain diseases and fungi and sometimes drought from under watering or inconsistent watering. I this has helped some. These are possibilities of what it could arm your self with knowledge of the plant, it's particular requirements, a proper soil mix and check to see if there are normal chemicals like chlorine in water than can cause it harm or naturally occurring minerals in the water than can harm it as well.
