Help: Looks like I made newbie mistake (forum)

db starts with ...
Recently I decided to grow some fruit trees, but having small backyard I decided to grow them in pots. So as I my first fruit tree I bought fig tree from Bunnings (White Adriatic). Now just couple of days back, I've planted it 90L black pot. I used cheapest quality potting mix from Bunnings - so that's my mistake. I mixed around 50% of this potting mix, 40% of Garden soil from Bunnings (so its not pure soil), roughly 10% peat moss and blood n bone. When I watered it for the first time, water was not draining quickly as expected, I had to wait for a minute or so to let water pass through and then continue watering..

Anyway, Now I have read that I shouldn't have used cheap quality potting mix and should not have used soil at all.. So I'm worried. But I've also read that fig tree does not need best quality potting mix, so I'm confused.. I'm worried abt the root rot as I have used soil. I must tell since I have planted it in pot, its continuously raining here in Brisbane since last 2 days, water seems to be draining fine as I don't see any water clogged on the soil surface. Should I replant it with good quality potting mix (it will be a hassle) or is it ok to leave it and take my chances?

Thanks

Time: 24th January 2012 9:31pm

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Original Post was last edited: 24th January 2012 9:36pm

About the Author Db
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MaryT says...
Your decision, db. Might be easier to do it rather than worry about it even if it's a hassle. On the other hand it may be OK to leave it. This might help you: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/119501/fig-growing-nsw.pdf

Time: 25th January 2012 7:14am

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About the Author MaryT
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db says...
Thanks MaryT for ur reply.. Looks like I'll leave it now and work on it later if it does not grow properly..

Most of ur trees are in pot, so do you use pure potting mix or mix some garden soil in it? Can you please let me know how you make ur mixture, which fertilizers you use and how much? Thanks

Time: 25th January 2012 11:11am

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Original Post was last edited: 25th January 2012 11:21am

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MaryT says...
I ordered premium potting mix by the ton (1 ton = 30 bags) initially from Australian Native Landscapes; it works out much cheaper than buying by the bag. With ordinary potting mix I would mix in some cow manure, coir 'peat', water crystals and some slow release granules. Sorry I don't use a recipe - like cooking I just throw in whatever I feel like at the time - but no soil. Then I give them some seasol, b&b, dynamic lifter once in a while depending on the plants.

Time: 25th January 2012 11:54am

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About the Author MaryT
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db says...
Thanks MaryT

Time: 25th January 2012 1:56pm

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About the Author Db
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db says...
Please help, it rained here heavily for almost one week since I have planted this plant in the pot. I think root rot or something wrong has started to happen to my healthy White Adriatic fig plant, New growth is started showing some damage. 1st pic below shows healthy plant as now, but you can see what now started to happen to new growth in 2nd and 3rd pics. Any idea whats causing this, will it be root rot or is it something else?

I'm thinking to re-plant it on this weekend in good potting mix (but no soil this time) but still I would like to know whats going on here. Any idea?
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1
Picture: 2
Picture: 3

Time: 3rd February 2012 10:50pm

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Original Post was last edited: 3rd February 2012 11:02pm

About the Author Db
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Peter says...
Should be fine, db.
Fig trees are not vulnerable to the pathogens causing serious root rots. Your plant has full turgor, so no indication that roots are disfunctional.
Certainly what you spotted (excellent pictures by the way)is some issue, but minor as long as the new leaves fully develop and not stunted in growth.

Time: 4th February 2012 1:09am

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About the Author Peter36
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jakfruit etiquette says...
Trees look fine, might just be a bit of tip burn from xs fert in your pot mix??

Time: 4th February 2012 1:23am

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MaryT says...
yes, fert and excess water (the rain!!!) makes fert more accessible to plant. Figs don't need much watering but your tree looks healthy; healthier than mine :)

Time: 4th February 2012 6:41am

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db says...
Thanks all for replies.. I don't think I over fertilized it but I could be wrong. Only fert I mixed is Blood & Bone (may be 2-3 of big handful, will that be too much in this 90L pot?) and roughly 10% peat moss.. Anyway, I'm happy to know that its not root rot.. Lets c how it grows in coming weeks. I can see new leafs has started to open, so its good thing..

Time: 4th February 2012 11:11am

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MaryT says...
Don't fret, db; you have a lovely tree there.

Time: 4th February 2012 12:17pm

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Db says...
Just wanted to update that my fig plant is now very well n growing fast, new leafs - new growth after those dried leafs in above pictures - has now grown very well n growing very fast :) I think above issue was just a 'plant shock' being just planted that time.

Time: 11th February 2012 8:51pm

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au0rey says...
Db, wow your fig tree surely looks very healthy in the picture. Love fig trees, they fruit while still so small. :)

Time: 12th February 2012 6:27pm

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