Pruning Ficus Lyrata (fiddle leaf fig)
erich60660
16 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (646)
Michelle
6 years agoMichelle
6 years agoRelated Discussions
please help me make my fiddle leaf fig tree happy
Comments (1)The spoiled foliage is likely attributable to a combination of a poor soil and over-watering. The leaf loss might also be attributed to a drought response from over-watering, or a decrease in light levels. Your plant prefers a soil you can water to beyond saturation w/o concern that an extended period of soggy soil will damage roots or impair their function. Peat-based soils simplt don't drain well, and hold much more water than your plant appreciates. I'd urge you to think about building your own pine bark based soils, or something based on coarse gritty material. I can help there. PLEASE - no dishsoap on your plants. The detergents dissolve cuticular waxes that serve as protection against water loss, and diseases. It also is very bad for roots because it dissolves root cell membranes. There is a very long thread that goes into a LOT of detail about FLF care: http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/1458685/pruning-ficus-lyrata-fiddle-leaf-fig?n=247 Al...See MoreFicus lyrata fiddle leaf fig - all leaf drop -HELP
Comments (1)My before and after no leaf current state of my plant. The above post has all my information. Not sure why the post made me split it...See MoreFicus lyrata / fiddle leaf fig leaf peoblem
Comments (4)Hi Dave. I took the plant from a 4" plastic nursery pot & put entire root ball with all existing dirt into a 5" clay pot. Did not remove any of original dirt. In the half inch around outer part of pot I added 'Fafard complete potting mix' for flowering, foliage, tropical plants. Breakdown: total nitrogen 0.09% (from ammoniacal, nitrate, water soluble, & urea nitrogen), available phosphate 0.04%, & soluble potash 0.06%. In the soil I added a small pinch of vermiculite mixed thoroughly. Less than 1/4 teaspoon. To help with drainage. I watered after putting in new pot with the small amount of additional new soil. Before that it had been about a week prior since watering. The FLF has been housed in a southeastern corner room with a ceiling fan on low. It would completely dry out the soil in about 5-7 days in that small plastic pot. The fan has been helpful for other plants in that room. After the pot change Friday, I did move it to an upstairs southern facing window where it remained for the weekend until today. It would have had a bit more direct sun for sure through that window. :/ I hope these details are helpful. I appreciate your time and any insight. I am devestated. As an avid indoor gardener, I'm heartbroken to see this and think that I've caused it....See MoreFiddle leaf fig brown
Comments (4)From the looks of it to me, you are looking at oedema. Below is an explanation from a pro that often posts on fiddle leaf fig questions. (his name is Al and he seems to know the answer to most every problem presented to him) "The brown, corky spots on the underside of the leaves is oedema, a physiological disorder that can affect all plants. It occurs when the plant takes up more water than it can rid itself of via the process of transpiration. In afflicted plants, internal water pressure (turgidity) can become so high that some leaf cells rupture or cell contents leak into inter-cellular spaces in leaf tissue. Oedema is most often driven by excessive water retention in the soil, but cool temperatures, high humidity levels, low light conditions, or partial defoliation can individually or collectively be additional contributors, as can anything else that slows transpiration. As well, nutritional deficiencies of Ca and Mg are known contributors to the malady. Symptoms vary by plant, but can include wet or weepy areas on the foliage, blisters that turn from white or tan to dark brown or black, then gradually turn corky/ scaly/ ridged, and wart-like or gall-like bumpy growth." (it was on this post, which seems to be a holy grail of information on issues relating to the tree. https://www.houzz.com/discussions/pruning-ficus-lyrata-fiddle-leaf-fig-dsvw-vd~1458685) I'd be willing to bet that it was exposed to cold temps at the hardware store. I saw many fiddle's outside in the cold at my local Home Depot this year. Advice I'd give is make sure you've got it in a spot with lots of light and not to overwater it! Those spots won't go away but as the growing season starts new growth will emerge! I've also read that putting them outdoors will do wonders for growth as long as you can protect them from the wind and temps lower than 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit. Lots more advice on that post if you need it, as well as more info on potential solutions too! Best of luck!...See MoreMichelle
6 years agotapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
6 years agoMichelle
6 years agonoelle_e_mckinley
6 years agotapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
6 years agonoelle_e_mckinley
6 years agoashley_n_
6 years agoDave
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agotapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
6 years agoashley_n_
6 years agoBianca
6 years agospjin
6 years agoBianca
6 years agoBoutsaba Vongphone
6 years agoanamika_singh1991
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agotapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
6 years agoThe Ficus Wrangler
6 years agotapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
6 years agoanamika_singh1991
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoalbert_135 39.17°N 119.76°W 4695ft.
6 years agotapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
6 years agoDan Steck
6 years agolovelynance_
6 years agoMatthew Galloway
6 years agotapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
6 years agoThe Ficus Wrangler
6 years agoMatthew Galloway
6 years agoJames Hu
6 years agoAna Martinez
6 years agoDenice Contag
6 years agoThe Ficus Wrangler
6 years agoThe Ficus Wrangler
6 years agoThe Ficus Wrangler
6 years agoJames Hu
6 years agoLauren J
5 years agotapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
5 years agoLauren J
5 years agotapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoLauren J
5 years agoJem
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoSvdl
5 years agoAli Burgess
5 years agomochajacq
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agowillstuff
5 years agoEmőke Hillman Marsovszky
5 years agoThe Ficus Wrangler
5 years agosparsudi
5 years agoAmalia Diaz
5 years ago
Related Stories
HOUSEPLANTSPlay Up Some Fiddleleaf Figs for a Lively Indoor Tune
Strike a dramatic chord in a minimalist scene or a country note in a rustic setting — fiddleleaf fig plants harmonize with any style
Full StoryHOUSEPLANTSSee How Fiddleleaf Fig Trees Can Liven Up Your Decor
The tropical houseplant with big green leaves adds a cheerful and striking design element to rooms
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGot Frost-Damaged Plants? How It Happens, and When and How to Prune
Crispy brown leaves are a sure sign that Jack Frost has been to your neighborhood
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Common Fig
A full form and delicious fruits make this Middle Eastern tree a favorite in gardens around the world
Full StoryHOUSEPLANTS10 Top Plants to Grow Indoors
Brighten a room and clean the air with a houseplant that cascades artfully, stretches toward the ceiling or looks great on a wall
Full StoryHOUSEPLANTS8 Essentials for Healthy Indoor Plants
Houseplants add so much to our homes — and can thrive when grown in the right conditions. Keep these tips in mind
Full StoryCONTAINER GARDENSHappy Houseplants, Happy People
Potted plants add life and beauty to a room. Learn easy ways to keep them healthy
Full StoryLIVING ROOMSNew This Week: How to Punch Up a Modern White Living Room
Consider these easy combinations to bring personality, color and texture to your neutral backdrop
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDESDitch the Rules but Keep Some Tools
Be fearless, but follow some basic decorating strategies to achieve the best results
Full StoryCONTAINER GARDENSContainer Garden Basics: How and When to Water Potted Plants
Confused about soil moisture, the best time to water and what watering device to use? This guide can help
Full Story
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)