Fig tree issue
Admittedly, this is only tangentially related to food, but I know many of you are gardeners too (and wouldn't a gardening/farming hotline be awesome?). Anyway, some of the leaves on my young fig tree are turning brown in spots. A quick search on the Interwebs has me paranoid that my tree will die if I don't spray with fungicide or copper (?). Have any of you had experience with this? Will my growing figlets be inedible if I spray?
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Voted the Best Reply!
What I know:
I avoid using any type of sprays on food products. I just never do it. Companies will always tell you how safe something is, but the point of growing your own is often times to eliminate the risks associated with chemical products. You can't fully trust chemical companies or even the USDA and FDA for that matter, companies give too much money in exchange for influence. It's just a fact of life. (read Marion Nestle's "Food Politics" to learn more).
That said, fungal and disease issues are extremely difficult to manage after they make an appearance. Preventive treatment before signs of infection is the only way to control/manage outbreaks. Your best option at this point would be to remove spotted leaves, avoid getting the foliage wet, and prevent the plant from obvious stress (excessive drying out, plenty of available nutrients, etc) be certain it receives plenty of light and maintains consistent soil moisture.
I'm guessing that the fruit will be fine to eat (obvious if it's not).
Now what would be helpful to know:
What is the fig variety or cultivar.
Is it in a pot or the ground.
Where are you and the plant located.
How long have you had it
How big is it
What exactly do the spots look like - all one color, symmetrical, dark center radiating lighter
All this information is helpful to make an accurate diagnosis