During the summer growing season, fertilise fiddle leaf fig trees about once a month using a high-nitrogen plant food, such as one with an NPK ratio of 3-1-2. Winter is not the time to fertilise.
Supplements like coffee are good for them since they prefer neutral pH soil (the ideal level is 6.5).
despite the fact that it contains a reasonable amount of nitrogen, are overly acidic and may hurt the plant by turning the leaves yellow.
Yellowing leaves
Chlorophyll, the pigment that gives leaves their green colour and enables plants to perform photosynthesis, cannot be produced by plants without the right nutrients.
Your fiddle leaf fig leaves will not only turn an ugly yellow without nutrition, but they will also struggle to convert sunlight into energy.
The leaves may begin to develop a lighter shade of green between the veins before turning yellow if your plant is deficient in nutrients.
Remember to examine your plant’s lighting conditions and the soil’s moisture level as well. Overwatering and a lack of light can both lead to yellowing. Make careful to fix those problems as well if the soil is damp or the location is poorly lit.
Start using a liquid fertiliser on a regular basis to replace lost nutrients if your fiddle leaf fig hasn’t received fertiliser in a while and is beginning to yellow.
Stunted growth
It’s a solid indication that your fiddle lacks the nutrients it needs to thrive if it doesn’t appear to be expanding, especially in the spring or summer when it should be sprouting plenty of new leaves. Yes, the sun provides the energy for fiddles (and all plants), but for them to develop and thrive, they still require nutrients like phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium, and other minerals.
During the growing season, if your violin isn’t growing any taller or putting out new leaves, it may be time to start nutrient supplements.
You can’t remember the last time you fertilized
A fiddle leaf fig requires a lot of nutrients to develop its big, lovely leaves, and as we have explained, a fiddle can quickly use up all the nutrients in its potting soil. In order to avoid having to deal with yellowing leaves or stunted development in the future, it is definitely time to start fertilising your fiddle if you haven’t done so for longer than a month or two.
What kind of fertiliser works best on a fiddle leaf fig?
One size does not fit all when it comes to plant fertiliser! Fiddle leaf figs are no different from other plants in that they require varying amounts of different nutrients. In order to prevent your fiddle leaf fig tree from developing an excess of some nutrients and a deficit in others, it’s crucial to choose a fertiliser that is suitable for it.
N-P-K Ratio
The N-P-K ratio, or the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium in a fertiliser, is one of the most crucial aspects to take into account while looking for the finest fertiliser for fiddle leaf figs. The main minerals that plants require to maintain their growth and operations are listed above, however various plants require varying amounts of each. In much lower levels, fertilisers may also contain minerals including copper, calcium, sulphur, boron, and chlorine.
Fertilizer with a 3-1-2 N-P-K ratio, or 3 percent nitrogen, 1 percent phosphorus, and 2 percent potassium, is optimal for fiddle leaf figs. Keep an eye out for these statistics, which ought to be prominently stated on the package of any fertiliser you’re contemplating!
While a well-balanced 1-1-1 fertiliser can also come in handy in a hurry, 3-1-2 is the best for your fiddle leaf fig’s long-term health.
Liquid vs. Granules
Fertilizer normally comes in two forms: liquid that you give to your plant’s water and pellets or granules that slowly dissolve into the soil.
Each has advantages and disadvantages, of course. We find that it’s challenging to monitor exactly how many nutrients your plant is getting because the rate at which the pellets dissolve can be unpredictable. The slow-release granules are supposed to be used less frequently, which can make it simpler to remember when to fertilise.
In general, liquid fertiliser is simpler to manage, but it must be applied more frequently and frequently according to a more complicated plan than once every six months.
I like fertiliser that is liquid. I devised Fiddle Leaf Fig Food, a liquid fertiliser made especially for fiddles that is gentle enough to use every time you water, because I kept forgetting to fertilise my plants. Now that it’s become a habit, I simply add a little to my watering can when I water my fiddle. All of my fiddles are gorgeous!
We usually advise using liquid fertiliser since slow-release pellets are simply too simple to get wrong unless you are an expert. Additionally, you should never mix liquid and pellet fertilisers as this can quickly lead to overfertilization and chemical burn on the roots of your violin.
Soil pH
For a brief moment, let’s discuss soil pH because it has an effect on both the health of your tree as a whole and your fertilising efforts.
When the pH level of the soil is a given value, plants grow and function at their best. This is important because a plant’s roots’ capacity to absorb water and nutrients depends on the pH of the soil. This means that even if you routinely use the proper fertiliser, if the pH isn’t right, your plant may end up being over- or under-fertilized owing to malabsorption.
Particularly fiddle leaf figs prefer a pH level of 6-7, which is rather neutral. The pH level of certain potting mixes will be listed on the package, but many are not. We’ve discovered that it’s wise to evaluate the pH of a potting medium before applying it to a plant. We adore this 3-in-1 soil metre that monitors light, pH, and moisture (which is also quite important). Test it out!
We also heartily recommend our Premium Fiddle Leaf Fig Potting Soil, which is the ideal pH for fiddles if you don’t want to fuss with metres and labels. Additionally, it offers the perfect ratio of drainage and water retention to prevent over- or underwatering, and it’s also quite healthy! Even before you start adding fertiliser, your violin will have plenty of nutrients to get it off to a fantastic, healthy start in its new soil.
How frequently do I need to fertilise my fig tree?
As soon as it starts to develop leaves, fertilise your young tree once each month in 1-ounce dosages. Stop fertilising before August. Established trees require less fertilisation; ideally, 1/3 pound per foot of height should be applied once at the end of winter, once in the middle of spring, and once more in the height of summer.
Can a fiddle leaf fig have too much fertiliser?
You are surely aware by this point that excessive fertiliser can be harmful to plants, particularly fiddle leaf figs.
Summary: Chemical burns and dehydration can result from consuming too much fertiliser. Very bad!
You could always employ the trial-and-error approach with smaller houseplants, keeping an eye out for overfertilization symptoms and doing an emergency leaching at the first indication of difficulty, but that’s much trickier to do with an indoor tree!
We don’t want to endanger your fiddle leaf fig, so let’s speak about how to fertilise your tree correctly the first time, preventing the need for emergency measures.
How are indoor fiddle leaf figs fertilised?
A fiddle leaf fig can be fertilised in a number different ways. No matter how you fertilise, be careful not to overdo it because this can cause fertiliser burn or scorched leaves in indoor plants of all kinds, not only fiddles! Also bear in mind that winter is a time when plants normally slow down their growth and require less additional nutrients, so fertiliser is not necessary during this time.
Several methods for fertilising your fiddle leaf fig are listed below:
using liquid fertiliser, which is typically diluted with water and applied to the soil by simple watering.
Dry fertiliser is frequently applied to the soil’s surface and then watered after.
How can a fiddle leaf fig be encouraged to produce more leaves?
Fiddle Leaf Figs can be encouraged to branch by notching, which doesn’t entail the plant’s height being reduced. Instead, tiny cuts or “notches” are made all the way up and down the stem or trunk to promote the formation of new growth lower on the plant.
There are two distinct notching patterns. The first slashes diagonally through the FLF trunk at a depth of about one-third, immediately above a leaf or node. Similar in nature, the second involves two cuts and the removal of a tiny “chunk” or piece of the trunk. To remove a small portion of the trunk, make the two slices just 1-2 mm apart.
It might be challenging to properly notch a plant without accidently decapitating it or cutting too deeply. It’s unquestionably a more sophisticated technique with variable outcomes. If you want to try it, I also advise going numerous notches. Not all of them have a 100% success rate. So if you want two or three branches, you might want to do six notches.
The best stem for notching is one that is more aged or woody. It might be advisable to wait till your FLF stem reaches maturity if it is still green before attempting to notch.
Tips for Notching:
- You may have more control over the notch with a craft knife than with a pair of cutters.
- Directly above a leaf or node, cut the notch.
- Cut the notch diagonally, about a third of the way into the stem’s depth.
Can fiddle leaf figs be grown with Miracle Grow?
For your fiddle leaf fig to develop as best it can, you should fertilise the soil more after planting. Apply Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food directly to the soil or combine it with water for indoor plant growth. This product is especially designed for indoor plant growth. Make sure you read and adhere to the label’s instructions.
How often should fiddle leaf figs be watered?
Overwatering or failing to provide adequate drainage are the two most common ways to destroy a fiddle leaf fig. About once every 10 days or once a week, water your plant. As we just discussed, FLFs are accustomed to receiving a massive amount of water with intermittent dry spells because they are native to a rainforest-like habitat. Therefore, it’s recommended to water indoor plants until the soil is barely dripping before letting the soil dry fully in between applications.
There are two ways to accomplish this. Bring the plant inside after watering it and letting it drip for an hour or two outside or in the bathtub. Place your FLF on a plant stand above a drip tray if you don’t want to carry it back and forth to be watered. Make sure the roots don’t spend a long period sitting in extra water, whichever method you pick.
Watering a Fiddle Leaf Fig
Overwatering or failing to provide adequate drainage are the two most common ways to destroy a fiddle leaf fig. About once every 10 days or once a week, water your plant. As we just discussed, FLFs are accustomed to receiving a massive amount of water with intermittent dry spells because they are native to a rainforest-like habitat. Therefore, it’s recommended to water indoor plants until the soil is barely dripping before letting the soil dry fully in between applications. There are two ways to accomplish this. Bring the plant inside after watering it and letting it drip for an hour or two outside or in the bathtub. Place your FLF on a plant stand above a drip tray if you don’t want to carry it back and forth to be watered. Make sure the roots don’t spend a long period sitting in extra water, whichever method you pick.
Not sure of the next time to water? Simply press your finger into the soil’s top 2 inches. If it’s still wet, don’t touch it. Don’t believe in yourself? Purchase a cheap soil moisture metre, and water when it indicates that the soil is practically dry.
Having trouble deciding when to water your fiddle leaf fig? Simply press your finger into the soil’s top 2 inches. If it’s still wet, don’t touch it. Don’t believe in yourself? Purchase a cheap soil moisture metre, and water when it indicates that the soil is practically dry.
Fiddle-leaf plants: do they require fertiliser?
Plants should be fertilised in the spring and summer, when they are actively growing. Your plants need all the assistance they can get right now because they are developing new leaves. In the spring and summer, you should supplement your weekly watering schedule with liquid fertiliser. The simplest to apply and typically the safest for your plant is liquid fertiliser. To avoid mistakenly using too much, you must always follow the directions on the package during dilution into water. If you’re not careful, fertiliser can burn your plant.
When fall arrives, you should reduce your Fiddle Leaf Fig fertilisation to every three to four weeks. This will help your plant prepare for its winter dormant stage.
What NPK Ratio Does a Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Need?
If you’ve never used fertiliser terminology before, it can be difficult to understand. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are referred to as NPK. Because each plant has a unique requirement for a combination of essential nutrients, there are fertilisers made specifically for plants.
The NPK ratio for fertilisers that are best for fiddle leaf figs is 3-1-2. This is because they contain a lot of nitrogen, which is what these plants need.
When ought my fig tree in a pot to be fertilised?
Figs planted in containers require regular fertiliser. Early spring, late spring, and early summer are all good times to fertilise fig trees with a balanced fertiliser. Fertilizer with the ratio of 5-5-5 works effectively. An alternate method for providing the fig with the nutrients it needs is to cover the soil with a layer of rich, well-rotted compost. After late August, stop fertilising to let the fig to enter its winter dormancy. Immediately following the fruit harvest is the ideal time to trim figs. Figs only require a modest trim to preserve shape and size because they don’t require a lot of trimming to produce properly.