Odd pattern on fig leaves - any ideas?

[J.V.]

Hi,

The leaves of two of my young fig trees have some odd pattern of brown markings on them - I have no idea what the cause might be

They were planted this winter in huge pots sunk into my greenhouse border. Other than the markings, there is no other sign of any problem - they still appear to be vigorous and otherwise healthy (at least for now).

Any ideas what pest, disease or deficiency I've manage to inflict them?

thanks,

JV

[VirginVegGrower]

Virus of some sort?

[J.V.]

Ouch - that was my first thought too - I really hope it's not; they're my favourite plants

I flicked through my books and the intergoogle but couldn't see any fig related virus that produced that sort of pattern. I could easily have missed something, though...

[Matt94]

Ive just had a quick google for you and to me it looks like Fig rust, have a look on the link below, it describes the symptoms:
Common Fig Tree Diseases

[J.V.]

Thanks for the link! I still don't know, though. I suppose it could be. On the other hand, rust produces lots of spots, but these aren't spotty - they have some continuous pattern on them. The colour is more brown than orange, too... At least if it is some kind of rust, it's a lot better than a virus

[FB.]

I think it's spider mites. Spider mites can be a pest in grrenhouses where predators can't get them (or where the less-numerous predators have been killed by sprays).

Otherwise I think it is a metallic nutrient deficiency (potassium/magnesium/manganese etc). But figs usually cope well with very poor soil.

[J.V.]

I don't use any nasty sprays, but maybe predators have been affected by the weather... the greenhouse has been closed a lot lately too.

What would you recommend for treatment?