During the summer growing season, fertilize 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 fertilize.
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.
When should fiddle leaf figs be fertilized?
- Place the fiddle-leaf fig plant close to a window, but at an angle so that it doesn’t get too much direct sunshine. Direct sunlight can harm the leaves both in the summer and the winter.
- From spring to fall, fertilize plants once a month; from fall to spring, fertilize plants every three months.
- Lightly water fiddle-leaf figs with lukewarm water throughout the week to prevent the plant container from drying up. Another approach to maintain moisture on the green leaves is to mist them every day using a spray bottle.
- Finally, cutting branches at the “node,” or the place where the leaf attaches to the branch, is required for pruning to promote more horizontal growth.
Tip: Dusting leaves should be done every month. Cradle each leaf in your hands and slowly wipe the dust off with a damp rag.
Yellowing leaves
Chlorophyll, the pigment that gives leaves their green color 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 fertilizer on a regular basis to replace lost nutrients if your fiddle leaf fig hasn’t received fertilizer 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 fertilizing your fiddle if you haven’t done so for longer than a month or two.
Which fertilizer is ideal for fiddle leaf figs?
One size does not fit all when it comes to plant fertilizer! 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 fertilizer that is suitable for it.
N-P-K Ratio
The N-P-K ratio, or the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium in a fertilizer, is one of the most crucial aspects to take into account while looking for the finest fertilizer 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, fertilizers may also contain minerals including copper, calcium, sulfur, 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 fertilizer you’re contemplating!
While a well-balanced 1-1-1 fertilizer 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 fertilize.
In general, liquid fertilizer 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 fertilizer that is liquid. I devised Fiddle Leaf Fig Food, a liquid fertilizer made especially for fiddles that is gentle enough to use every time you water, because I kept forgetting to fertilize 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 fertilizer since slow-release pellets are simply too simple to get wrong unless you are an expert. Additionally, you should never mix liquid and pellet fertilizers 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 fertilizing 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 fertilizer, 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 meter 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 meters 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 fertilizer, your violin will have plenty of nutrients to get it off to a fantastic, healthy start in its new soil.
What dosage of fertilizer 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.