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Fiddle Leaf Fig problems!

5 years ago

Help! I have two fiddle leaf figs that I've had for exactly one month! Within the last 1-2 weeks they have started getting brown spots and cracking along the edges. It was mostly the leaves near the bottom but has traveled to upper leaves as well. The plants are in two different locations in my home getting different lighting. I have been removing most of the leafs with brown spots. The plants haven't started getting any new growth yet since bringing them home and repotting. The bigger fiddle is in a SE location of my home getting indirect light in the mornings from a South & East window. The smaller fiddle is getting filtered light from a South window. I have fertilized them once....planning on fertilizing once a month. They still look good in my opinion I'm just worried about what to do if the brown spots continue and permanently damage the plants! Any suggestions on what to do to prevent the browning/cracking? I am confident over watering is not the issue. I have been watering once a week on the same day each week and allowing to dry between waterings.

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Comments (2)

Dave
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Likely over watering. Do not water on a set schedule. Water as the plant needs it.

Please have a look through this forum. There are literally 100’s of fiddle leaf fig posts. You’ll find all the info you need.

This link will help you better understand Ficus trees. You have a Ficus Lyrata.

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/1476078/ficus-trees-in-containers-iv?n=223
litterbuggy (z7b, Utah)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Leaves are the plant's power source, and they're not diseased, so removing them just weakens the plant's ability to replace roots that have died due to overwatering. Roots need air for oxygen, so monitor the soil moisture at the bottom of the pot with the dowel test and only water when it comes out dry to the touch.

Here's a post by Al from this thread. I guarantee that following this advice will take care of your watering issues and stop any more brown areas. Read the whole thread to really understand what's going on.

"The calendar isn't what determines an appropriate watering interval; and you, not the guys at the store where you bought the plant, are in the best position to determine when your plant does or doesn't need watering. When the skewer first comes out dry or almost dry is the appropriate time to water. There ARE some things you can do that will shorten the intervals between necessary waterings, which would mean the plant has a greater fraction of unsaturated soil for a higher % of time, which is decidedly a plus. Follow this link to info on how to deal with water-retentive soils."
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If your plant doesn't wilt while the soil is still moist, the necrotic areas on leaf tips and margins is from over-watering and/or a high level of dissolved solids (salts) in the soil solution. The best fix, and the one that makes the most sense, since it will rid you of both issues, is to get your plant into a soil that allows you to water correctly w/o worry that you'll rot roots or your plant will suffer from diminished root function for days on end. There ARE ways you can deal with excess water retention, and now isn't a good time to be repotting, so my suggestion would be to start a conversation centering around dealing with excess water retention for the temporal, with a projected plan for next summer that will get your plant back on track. You can't expect a happy plant if you can't keep the roots happy, and fighting your soil for your plant's vitality surely isn't a good way to improve your proficiency. Al
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If you're watering when the soil "feels damp when I put my finger about an inch into the soil, it's almost a sure bet you're over-watering. Use a wooden dowel (from a hardware or big box store), ends sharpened in a pencil sharpener, stuck all the way to the bottom of the pot to tell you when it needs water. If the dowel comes out wet or stained dark with moist soil, withhold water until the point in time when it first comes out clean/dry. Also, flush the soil thoroughly the next time it needs water. Your watering method ensures all salts from your tapwater and fertilizer continue to accumulate in the soil. The high level of salts + the plant's inability to move water efficiently because of waterlogged soil conditions are pushing the plant to a death by thirst in a sea of plenty. Al
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