We must first gain some understanding of how a tree’s roots function.
Contrary to most common belief, the roots that go the deepest into the soil are not the ones that absorb the most nutrients.
These act more as feeders than as anchors to the ground. The tiniest peripheral roots are what draw the most nutrients from the soil, therefore cutting them will surely cause root shock in your plant.
Fiddle leaf figs’ aversion to change is their cardinal rule, therefore to prepare your plant for the impending shock of separating the root systems, we advise root pruning at least six weeks after purchasing the plant and roughly eight to ten weeks beforehand.
This technique, which has been around for a while, involves cutting the roots without displacing them.
Can I cut my fiddle leaf fig in half?
It’s a good idea to separate your fiddles if the soil on one of them turns rock-hard and begins to peel away from the pot’s sides because you’ll need to repot it shortly. (Just be sure to first trim the roots. This is how to do it:)
Be sure to gently massage the root ball when you unpot the plant to break up any old, dried-out soil. Take out as much of the old soil as you can from the roots.
Your fiddle (or fiddles) should be repotted in a pot that is the right size, has drainage, and is filled with new soil that drains properly.
What happens if the top of a fiddle leaf fig is chopped off?
Your fiddle leaf fig probably has no other branches that will allow it to transition from a fiddle leaf shrub to a fiddle leaf tree. In addition, bear the following in mind before proceeding:
The amount of regrowth that results from pruning depends on how severe it was. The reason for this is that the plant is trying to grow again in an effort to balance the root system below with the shoot system above, which is now designed to support the plant at its bigger size before trimming.
Usually, the most active shoot growth takes place 6 to 8 inches after the pruning cut.
Make the cut on your fiddle leaf fig
Make a decision regarding the size of the Ficus lyrata cut. Once more, the branching will be more noticeable the longer a part is clipped. (And the less the plant will grow in height, at least for that shoot.)
Your fiddle leaf fig won’t be encouraged to generate as many lateral branches off of the main trunk if you simply pinch out the fresh buds at the top with your fingers.
If you want to encourage a little lateral development to make your plant appear fuller near the top, pinching is more helpful.
On the other hand, you’ll see a lot more branching if you remove 12 of the top shoots.
Choose the node that you want to cut above. The spots on stems known as nodes are where leaves, buds, or branches can grow. However, not every node has leaves or branches; some nodes may only have a mark and a little thickening of the stem. Internodes are the parts of the stem that lie between the nodes.
3. Make use of a clean pair of pruners. Just above the top of your node, make the cut. Cut just above the node rather than into it, which would harm it.
Any plant in the fig family, including your fiddle leaf fig, will exude an oozing, milky, white sap when cut. Simply avoid eating it, getting it in your eyes, or letting it land on the carpet because it can be annoying.
4. As a final piece of advice, wait to remove leaves from the trunk of your fiddle leaf until the new branches have begun to grow. Your plant should be as robust as possible because those leaves aid in the development of the new lateral buds.
(Are you wondering what to do with the plant pieces you pruned? Why not cultivate a second fiddle leaf fig?
I’m done now! Now, give your new lateral buds, which will eventually grow into branches, a few weeks. While the exact length of time varies on a number of variables, your chances of success are higher if you attempt this in the spring, when fiddle leaves are actively growing, as opposed to the winter, when they are largely dormant. In comparison to winter, when the plant will need more time to heal the wound and form new buds, springtime will see faster new growth.
Should I remove my fiddle leaf fig’s bottom leaves?
You should be aware of what those bottom leaves do before selecting when to remove them.
Lower foliage has the same function as that fresh, vibrant growth up top: the leaves work to mix that green chlorophyll, commonly known as “the meat of the leaf,” with sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce sap, the plant’s own sweet food.
So let them alone if you want the trunk, roots, and new growth to continue receiving energy from the sun through the foliar producers and absorbing it.
Another advantage of the lower leaves is that this is typically where the most frequent watering issues show up. To put it another way, many owners of fiddles may detect overwatering and underwatering based on early warning indicators from these bottom leaves. You lose access to one of the plant’s early warning systems if you remove them.
Keep in mind that the lower leaves should be saved for the very last stage of shaping because they AID in giving the tree its characteristic shape.
Once more, deciding whether or not to remove these lower leaves depends on what they do for the plant.
How are bushy fiddle leaf figs made?
The quickest and safest approach to encourage your fiddle leaf fig to branch out is without a doubt pruning! It entails cutting your Fiddle Leaf Fig’s stem off at the height you want branches to emerge from. Remember that you may always propagate your Fiddle Leaf Fig and grow a brand-new plant from the clipped portion!
Pruning works by reawakening buds that are dormant beneath the incision. The growth hormone (auxin) is redirected to the buds that are typically closest to the cut because it can no longer move up the stem, which causes this to occur.
Usually, if you want your plant to branch, you want it to have at least a few branches, if not more. Pruning above a cluster of leaves will give you the highest chance of getting many branches. Or a cluster of closely spaced leaves.
Where the leaves and stem meet, dormant buds can be found. You should therefore aim for a region of your FLF that contains buds close together if you want to have the best chance of awakening several latent buds. Don’t panic if you can’t see them; sometimes they are tiny and difficult to see. They will be present!
The distance between the “nodes” is another item to watch out for. These locations can also produce buds. On your fiddle leaf fig, nodes—which resemble little rings around the stem—are frequently where the crunchy, browned leaf casings are located.
Within a week or two, you should start to notice buds getting bigger. Nevertheless, depending on the climate, it may take longer and even longer for the new leaves to bloom.
Since you’ll be removing a portion of stem, pruning is best done when the plant is taller than the height you’d like it to branch at. For instance, if you want your FLF to have branches that are around 3 feet high but it is 5 feet tall, you will need to prune the plant to make it only 3 feet tall.
See the section on notching if you don’t want to reduce the height of your plant.
Tips for Pruning:
- Use a set of cutters that are well-kept and razor-sharp.
- Make an angle cut in the stem.
- Remove any sap by using a fresh paper towel.
- Dormant buds (nodes) are located where a leaf meets the stem; therefore, you should prune just above a leaf. At this point, you might be able to notice a tiny brown (or occasionally green) bump.
How may new branch growth be encouraged?
One of the finest strategies to promote a tree branch’s growth is pruning. A branch can grow more quickly if upper-story plants are pruned and thinned to provide room for more light to reach a struggling understory tree or bush.
Why should I Wiggle my Fiddle leaf fig?
Your indoor tree’s trunk can be moved to simulate wind, which will help you become more resilient outside. You can also leave your tree outside for extended periods of time to strengthen its trunk and expose it to the elements. Once you get the leaves inside, be sure to inspect them for bugs.
What are the best growing conditions for an indoor fiddle leaf fig tree?
Know that your fiddle leaf fig tree prefers moderate temperature changes and place it in a sunny spot within the house. The tree should be planted in a container with well-draining soil that is kept humid but not soggy since this might cause root rot.
Why isn’t my fiddle leaf fig tree flowering?
You should be careful not to overwater your fiddle leaf fig because it is prone to root rot. When storing the fig within a container, make sure the bottom has lots of holes to allow for proper drainage.
How do I fix a leggy fiddle leaf fig tree?
Give a leggy or tilted fiddle leaf fig tree bright, filtered sunshine as treatment. Please place your plant in the area of the house that gets the most indirect sunlight, which is usually six to eight hours per day. Don’t keep it in the Sun for too long, though; doing so could scorch the leaves.
Will wiggling my fiddle leaf fig tree weaken its roots?
Every one to two weeks, wiggle your fiddle leaf fig tree for 1.5 to 2 minutes to significantly thicken the trunk. Beginning with light shaking, progressively build up the force. If your plant is stake-supported, move it about at first with the support in place. You can take the stake out once your fig tree has gotten used to this practice.
What happens when a plant is notched?
By cutting a tiny cut in the branch of your plant, you can promote new growth by notching. In a sense, you’re cutting a deep wound that stresses your plant. Yes, it initially seems terrible, but your plant will eventually try to get some relief by sprouting new shoots!
How to use the notching technique on your plants
To induce new growth on your plants through notching, follow these few easy steps:
Locate the nodes and decide where you want a new branch to emerge. Find the nodes, which are tiny lumps on the trunk that typically have some space between them.
Make the cut: With a clean, sharp knife, cut an angle through the trunk that extends about 1/4 of the way through. When you make a clean incision, a white sticky sap should appear right away. To prevent the sap from dripping everywhere, wipe it up with a moist towel. Take note that the sap may irritate people with sensitive skin.
Wait – Ensure that your plant is receiving ample light and following a regular watering routine. To create humidity, mist the leaves periodically. One or more little bumps ought to appear in the cut region within a few weeks. Enjoy your fuller ficus as they grow and be patient while they do so!
What to do when Notching doesn’t work
After a few months, if this technique doesn’t seem to be working don’t worry. Owners of ficus trees with experience report that this approach is effective about half the time. You can give it another shot or watch this space for more advice soon!
Fiddle leaf figs notch for how long?
You can try cutting up to 2 or 3 notches on a smaller tree. You can attempt up to five or six on a larger tree. Although it’s likely that not all of them will succeed, this should guarantee that your fiddle leaf fig gets at least 2 or 3 additional branches.
Single-Cut Method Notching
With the single-cut notching technique, all you have to do is make a single, 1/8-deep cut—or a 1/4–1/3 cut—through the branch with your shears. Just above the node where you want your tree to branch, make a 45-degree cut up or down.
Double-Cut Notching
In order to create a little wedge out of the trunk using the double-cut approach, you must first make your 1/8 deep cut at a 45-degree angle as you would for single notching. However, you must also make a second cut above or below that one at an opposing 45-degree angle.
How Long Does Notching Take to Work?
According to our observations, notching normally has a 30–50% success rate. However, if it’s going to work, results ought to be visible in 6 to 8 weeks. After two months, you might wish to give it another go if you still don’t notice any new growth.
Does Notching a Fiddle Leaf Fig Work?
There is no such thing as a guaranteed thing when it comes to plants! It’s a good idea to notch fiddle leaf fig trees to promote branching, but don’t be shocked if it takes a few attempts. According to our experience, you can anticipate a 30 to 50 percent success rate, or roughly 1/3 to 1/2 of your notching attempts to provide the desired results.
Can I chop my fig tree’s top off?
Yes, you can overprune a fig tree, but since they are extremely hardy, as long as you do it during the dormant season, they shouldn’t suffer too much. To maintain the tree healthy, don’t prune more than 25% of the tree overall in a single year.
A tree will produce fewer figs the following year if too much of this year’s growth is removed since figs develop on this year’s growth.
Is it possible to grow a fiddle leaf fig from just one leaf?
a single fiddle leaf with roots. Because single leaves don’t have lateral buds to produce new stems and leaves, it won’t develop into a plant. The only way it could do that is if a piece of a bud also came off with the leaf, but even then it would take years to grow.
Repot
Every two years, fiddle leaf figs typically require repotting, and spring is an excellent time to do it because the weather can help your tree recover from any root shock.
Additionally, the warmer weather makes it possible to repot your fiddle outside, which is advantageous if your tree is big.
Find a pot with drainage that is 1-2 times larger than your fiddle’s root ball if it is time for an upgrade (but no larger). Use a quick-draining soil, such as our Premium Fiddle Leaf Fig Soil or cactus mix.
After repotting your fiddle, the roots are particularly fragile, so wait a month before fertilizing. Chemical burns on your roots or leaves are not what you want!
Prune
Now is a wonderful time to prune your fiddle’s leaves if they are getting crowded or if the lower leaves are drooping.
To get rid of those leaves, just use a clean, sharp knife or a set of pruning shears. To prevent shock, be careful not to remove more than 10% of your fiddle’s leaves at once.
Bonus advice: You can reproduce any healthy branches or leaves that you prune! To encourage root growth, dip the cut end in some rooting hormone and place it in a glass of water. When the roots are one length, place in soil and change the water every day.
Clean your fiddle’s leaves
You should consider doing some spring cleaning on your instrument. It’s crucial to maintain the leaves of your plant clean because dust and grime can clog pores and hinder photosynthesis and respiration in addition to making them look ugly.
Use a hose, shower your plant, or mist it with warm water in a spray bottle to clean it. Then, gently wipe the leaves with a towel.
We advise using our Leaf Amor spray, which assists with leaf cleaning and also shields leaves against dust, dirt, bacteria, and fungus.
Adjust your watering routine
With the weather getting warmer, you may have gotten used to watering your fiddle less frequently than you once did during the winter when it was cooler.
Observe the root ball of your plant using a moisture meter, and record how long it takes the soil to dry out. As the temps rise, you might notice that your plant needs a little bit more water.
Fertilize
Now is a wonderful time to start fertilizing your fiddle leaf fig if you haven’t already.
Like a multivitamin for your plant, fertilizer gives it the nutrients it needs to encourage the growth of its stems and leaves as well as give it a gorgeous, glossy green hue.
Find a 3-1-2 NPK liquid fertilizer, and make sure you follow the instructions on the bottle. Carefully adhere to the suggested fertilizer plan. I use Fiddle Leaf Fig Food since I can never remember to fertilize on a schedule, and it’s gentle enough to use with every watering. Every time I water my fiddles, I simply add a little to my watering can, and my plants absolutely adore it!
Adjust your light
Keep an eye on the type of light your fiddle is receiving because the angle of the sun’s rays changes in the spring. You might want to move your plant a few inches to prevent direct sunlight that could scorch it if the sun is suddenly shining squarely on its leaves.
Branch out
You should foster the growth of new branches on your fiddle during the spring. Try pinching or notching your fiddle if you want new branches.
Try pinching if you want the tree to sprout branches from the top: Get some pruning shears, look for the top of the tree’s freshest growth, and cut it off. (Beware of the sap!) Within two to three weeks, new branches ought to start to form.
Try notching if you want your tree to branch deeper down the trunk: decide where you want a branch to go, identify the closest node, then make a 1/8 cut in the trunk with a sharp knife. With a towel, remove the sap.
Although notching has a roughly 50/50 success rate, if it does, you’ll soon notice new branch buds!
A caveat: don’t make too many changes at once.
The spring is a great time to increase Fiddle Leaf Fig maintenance and benefit from growth spurts, but keep in mind that fiddles don’t appreciate too much change at once. Don’t repot, prune, notch, and fertilize all in the same day, to put it another way.
To give your tree time to heal, space large procedures like this out by at least a few weeks. And keep in mind to start with the fundamentals: light, water, fertilizer, and climate.