Question
I live in the Raleigh area of NC. There are times when it seems hotter here than in FL where I moved from.
My garden here was much better than any garden I had in FL. I discovered some interesting "tricks" in FL to help control pests and other conditions that effect gardens down there.
However my question for now has to do with a fig tree that I purchased at the farmers market back in July. It was about 12" high including the pot and had one fig on it. I transplanted it as soon as i got home in a clay pot that was about twice as large as the pot it came in and used Miracle grow soil. The tree started gowing so quickly it surprised me. The one fig fell off but soon there after new figs started forming. But the leaves started spotting and a few fell off. I did a search on line for answers and from pictures and what i read it seems that what it has is RUST.
That said, i have spent what seems to be far too much time attempting to identify the problem for sure and to definitively know what to do about it. So far most answers are spotty them self.
Can you tell me exactly how to identify the problem, to access whether or not there is something else wrong with it.
( I do bottom water and in the midst of the heat wave if i didn't water twice a day the plant would wilt. )
Only one fig managed to ripen enough to eat but it was small and not completely matured. The rest of the figs fall off while they are still small, hard, and whitish inside.

Thanks!

Stepp

Answer
Hi Stepp,   Sounds like you are growing in a container?  If so you need to empty the water out of the bottom of the dish or it could cause root rot.  Rust does go on the leaves especially during our humid times or if we are over-head sprinkling.  This time of year the leaves will start dropping off if it is colder where you are as they are loose there leaves in the winter.  There is nothing you can do to stop the rust, I just live with it.  In a container I water everyday just once and they are fine.  Another problem could be it is time to move it up to a larger container as it may be all roots.  If you could Saturade at the store it will help keep the water in the container and get it to the roots, you  will notice a difference almost immediately.

The next thing I have been hearing around here is that their plants are dying using miracle grow soil with the fertilizer in it, just a thought.