What to Do When Potted Figs Drop Fruit? Cause Analysis and Solutions
For gardening friends who like growing figs in pots, the plant dropping fruit is genuinely distressing. Especially for beginners, they often do not know the reason, so they also have no idea how to save the situation. Undoubtedly, when a fig drops fruit abnormally, we must pay enough attention to it to avoid the situation becoming more and more serious.
The fruit-dropping phenomenon in figs not only affects the ornamental effect of the potted plant, but also affects fruit yield, and may even lead to the awkward situation of having no fruit to harvest and eat when the fruit ripening period arrives. Therefore, when we encounter fruit drop in a potted fig at home, we must promptly analyze the cause and then take scientific rescue measures.
In fact, there are many causes of fig fruit drop. It is not only figs; even ordinary fruit trees can drop fruit for various reasons. The reasons for fruit drop in potted figs may be improper water management, lack of nutrients, a stuffy and hot environment, pest and disease infestation, root rot of the plant, and other factors. Of course, if the fig has too many fruits, or if the fruits are not picked in time after ripening, fruit drop can also occur.
If the fig has too many fruits, it often causes competition for nutrients. Some fruits, because they receive relatively fewer nutrients, tend to grow poorly and fail to develop fully, so they are more likely to drop. Therefore, if a potted fig has too many fruits, we can selectively pick off some fruits in poor growth and development condition to reduce nutrient consumption and avoid frequent fruit drop.
If the fruits are not picked in time after ripening, they will also drop. So we need to do harvesting work regularly. Once we find that the fruits are ripe, we should pick them promptly to eat. Never forget them or leave them on the plant, otherwise fruit drop is a minor matter; the real major matter is rotten fruit attracting pests and diseases and thus harming the plant.
For the above two reasons, people usually find them relatively easy to understand, and they are also fairly normal. But if improper care and management cause a fig to drop fruit abnormally before it ripens, then we need to promptly take targeted rescue measures. Only by discovering it early and rescuing it in time can we usually minimize the loss.
When figs drop fruit due to improper water management, it is mainly caused by long-term water shortage or excessive watering during the fruiting period, so we only need to adjust watering management in time. If fruit drop is caused by a lack of nutrients in the pot, we only need to supplement nutrients for the fig in time, with emphasis on supplementing phosphorus and potassium nutrients. Moreover, apply enough fertilizer in advance; during the growing period, well-rotted organic fertilizer is suitable, and during the flowering and fruiting period, topdressing with monopotassium phosphate is suitable.
Of course, if excessive water and fertilizer cause root rot, or if the plant's roots are infected by nematodes and cause root rot, the roots cannot normally transport water and nutrients to the fruits, which will also cause fruit drop. Therefore, we need to promptly check whether the plant has root rot and whether it has been attacked by pests. Once discovered, rescue measures should be taken in time: control water and fertilizer promptly when needed, and kill pests promptly when needed.
In addition, if the care environment is too stuffy and hot, it can also cause fig fruit drop. This is because the fig fruiting period basically coincides with the beginning of summer, when the temperature also rises sharply and the light is especially strong. If the environmental humidity is relatively high at this time and ventilation conditions are also poor, then the fig may also drop fruit. Therefore, we need to promptly improve ventilation conditions and provide appropriate shading to ensure that the potted fig is not kept in a stuffy growing environment.