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.
The best time to fertilise a fiddle leaf fig is when?
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.
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.
Which fertiliser is ideal for fig plants?
You must first understand what to feed fig plants. It is acceptable to use a general-purpose fertiliser with an analysis of 8-8-8 or 10-10-10. With heavier fertilisers, it’s simple to go overboard.
The optimal time to fertilise fig trees is when they exhibit signs of sluggish development or pale leaves, however there are a few instances in which fig trees require regular feedings. If the tree grows in a sandy area, you’ll probably need to fertilise every year because nutrients quickly leak out of sandy soils. Additionally, fig trees that are flanked by other plants that compete for nutrients must be fertilised.
Furthermore, you must understand when to fertilise figs. To avoid giving the tree an excessive amount of nitrogen at once, it is advisable to spread the feeding across several months. One ounce of fertiliser should be applied to one and two year old trees once a month, starting when the tree begins to sprout new leaves and ceasing before the end of July. Three times a year, in late winter, midspring, and midsummer, treat older trees with one-third pound of fertiliser for every foot (31 cm) of bush height.
What dosage of fertiliser is ideal for my fiddle leaf fig?
One teaspoon of Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Food should be applied to a small to medium-sized plant per week (less than three feet tall). You can apply up to two tablespoons per plant per week if it is taller than three feet. Ensure that each teaspoon of plant food is diluted in at least two cups of water.
Can fiddle leaf figs use Miracle Grow?
Managing soil moisture is essential for fiddle leaf fig success. Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Mix is ideal for growing plants because it contains coconut coir, which stores and releases water while facilitating simple soil rewetting. It should be placed in a container with multiple drainage holes that is 1/3 broader than the plant’s root ball. Place the plant so that the top of the root ball is approximately an inch below the top of the pot and fill the bottom third of the pot with potting soil. More potting soil should be added around the root ball, and once the plant has been fully watered and allowed to drain, it should be placed.
When you notice roots poking through the bottom of the container, repot fiddle leaf figs using the instructions above. These plants don’t want to be disturbed, so don’t repot them more frequently than required. Depending on how quickly the plant is growing when it is still little, you might need to repot it every year.
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.
Are fiddle leaf figs able to tolerate coffee grounds?
Applying coffee grounds directly to the soil of indoor plants can lead to excessive moisture retention, fungus infestation, and plant growth impairment due to excessive acidification of the soil.
Without a comprehensive system for composting and decomposing organic matter, together with adequate drainage, the grounds themselves will accumulate and may obstruct the soil’s ability to breathe. As a result, the soil will start to produce mould and attract gnats.
What should I give my fiddle leaf fig?
The big leaves of fiddle leaf fig plants require a lot of resources to develop. Give them a weekly feeding of liquid fertiliser, such as Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Food, which is uniquely made with an NPK ratio of 3-1-2. Giving your plant a lot of nutrients enables it to stay healthy and promotes new development.
Do fig trees benefit from Miracle Grow?
Eating figs, or Ficus carica, are strange, delectable, and exotic fruits that have been cherished for ages. Although they may thrive in a range of environments, these natives of the Mediterranean region prefer a lengthy, hot growing season. If a neighbour cannily declines to share his fig bounty, offer to accept a cutting from his plant instead. Fig cuttings root well and only require knowledge of how to choose a branch to make the cutting from and what to place it into afterwards. A fig cutting can be successfully rooted in the majority of commercial potting mixtures, including Miracle-Gro soil.
Are fiddle leaf figs good with eggshells?
Some of the secondary nutrients that plants require, most notably calcium, but also modest amounts of potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium, can be found in eggshells.
Eggshell addition won’t likely be of much use to fiddle leaf figs because they don’t require much calcium. Eggshells, on the other hand, are free and would otherwise be wasted, so using them on your Fiddle Leaf Fig won’t pose any problems. Just be sure to properly prepare them.
Eggshells must be carefully cleaned of any egg protein before drying (you can bake them or just let them air dry for a few days). After that, pulverise the eggshells into a fine powder that you can scatter over the surface of the soil. Your plant will receive calcium more quickly if the powder is finer.
Do fig plants benefit from coffee grounds?
Coffee grinds might be an excellent addition if you have alkaline soils or want to lower the pH level of your garden soil because fig plants like acidic soil. The addition of coffee grinds close to the root zone will aid in moisture retention and generate soft spots for new roots to enter. If adding coffee grounds close to the tree, make sure the soil is thoroughly mixed with them before spreading them to prevent hard, dry spots from forming.
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.