Moving Ficus Lyrata/Fiddle Leaf Fig Outside for Summer

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Hi all,

I am wanting to move my fiddle leaf fig outdoors for summer onto my covered porch. I kept seeing people rave in house forums and other sites about how well their trees did outdoors over the warm months and decided to take the plunge. I have googled everything I can think of and can't find any definitive advice on how to transition them outdoors or what light people move them into.

A little history on my little tree: he is probably a 4-5 yr old tree that is about 4-5 feet tall (probably was closer to 5 before I trimmed the top branches about 3 weeks ago.) I trimmed his top branches because he was getting a bit leggy and top heavy, so in a effort to encourage bushy growth and additional branches I painstakingly made the cut. (I think the experience was more dramatic for me than it was for him) Since the top branches were cut he hasn't shown any signs of distress, with no brown spots or lost leaves (and the baby pieces cut from the top have already grown roots in water!).

So as far as moving him- my patio is well protected from wind, so that's not an issue, but I am having trouble figuring out where to put it, I have three options:

1. total shade (worried this may be too dark as the suns rays don't even shine near this spot, also, a more high traffic area, so I would be worried someone might brush his leaves and over time damage the leaf veins)

2. dappled light during the sunrise, then dappled 45min-1hr hot afternoon sun (worried this afternoon sun might burn his Leaves)

3. Morning sun from 9:30am-12, possibly dappled at times depending on how an overhead tree and hanging basket fill out this year (I thought this would be the perfect spot, but as I moved him out and the direct sun hit his leaves, I panicked and worried I'd burn him)

I keep thinking he would do well in spot #3 if maybe I transitioned him into the sunlight over time? If so, how many days do you use for transition? Also, just as a note, I am being very careful about watching the temp. and making sure he isn't exposed to any cool nights.

He previously lived beside an east facing window that gets direct sun for maybe 1-2 hours each morning, but the window was frosted so all the light was filtered and direct rays never reached his leaves.

Any and all advice would be welcomed! Thanks in advance!

Featured Answer

Dave

5 years ago

Isaio or whatever your name is, you must be new around here.

Do yourself a favor and find another forum if you plan to come here and attack a longtime member who has helped more people than you could ever imagine.

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Comments (50)

Brittany Legg
Original Author
5 years ago
Going to be bold and put it in spot 3. Al, who from what I can tell is a ficus lyrata expert, said he will just put his in the sun and if the leaves burn and fall off, they will rebut and come back with leaves that fit that amount of light. Here's to hoping!!

If anyone has any experience with this though, personalized advice would still be welcomed, as I'm just assuming based off other posts!
sonni1
5 years ago
I think it's great that you care so much for your plants. So probably don't take advice from me, because I'm just the opposite. If a plant can't take my non-care, it isn't for me. I have four of these in large planters that in the fall/winter get no direct sunlight, in the summer, though, they get hit hard by the south Florida rays. I guess it's a gradual increase, decrease in light, so perhaps they acclimate. Sometimes I remember to water them. Recently, two lost all of their leaves only to begin budding out a few weeks later. Honestly, I think these plants are indestructible.
Brittany Legg thanked sonni1
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Brittany Legg
Original Author
5 years ago
Sonni,

This makes me feel even better about my fig's move into the sun, I hope mine is as hardy as yours!! Thanks so much for the response!
Dave
5 years ago
I have many Ficus Benjamina and Alii which obviously are very similar.

All get placed in direct sun and I don’t get any leaf burn.

I first place then in open shade for a week, then I move them to a spot that gets a couple hours of sun for a day, then 4-5 hours the next day and so on until they’re in full sun all day.

The process takes about two weeks, but I never lose any leaves doing it this way.
Brittany Legg thanked Dave
Ali Burgess
5 years ago
Any idea if it’s a bad idea to move it back and fourth? Like if I put mine out in the sun and bring it in at night?
Ekor Tupai
5 years ago
Ficus lyrata leaves that were growing indoor or under filtered sunlight will have brown burned spot on it, but they won't fall. New leaves that grow under new environment will be normal, healthy, and the tree will growing faster.
Dave
5 years ago
If it’s too cold at night, there’s nothing wrong with that.

Keep it out all summer when nighttime temps stay above around 55°
somegu7
5 years ago
Moving it back and forth is actually good since you will gradually acclimate it. Same goes for the end of the summer when you will start bringing it back.
Brittany Legg thanked somegu7
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
5 years ago
Hi, Brittany. That's a handsome boy friend (or girl friend) sitting next to you in your user image.

Existing leaves can only adjust to changes in light within a certain range. Let's assign light intensity levels 1-10, with 10 being brightest. If a leaf comes into being inside your home where the light level is 4, it might only be capable of adapting to a range of levels from 2-3 to 6-7. Light levels too low will cause shedding of the leaf, while levels too high will cause chemical reactions that physically damage the leaf. This type of damage is called photo-oxidation, and we more often refer to it as sunburn.

As a bonsai practitioner, I usually focus on developing a tree's size and shape before I even give much thought to what it looks like.

This ficus is startlingly ugly:

but within a few years it became this:

which I reduced to this:

Then, this:

In the case of this tree, I commonly defoliate it completely, as you can see. I also partially defoliate strong branches selectively, or cut the leaves in half on strong branches to slow them down. Even this tree, which is almost ready to come out of the training pot, moves from the basement under lights to outdoors into full sun. The leaves burn, fall off (or I remove them), and the tree puts on a flush of pristine foliage, perfectly adapted to the light levels wherever it's sited. I do this with all species of ficus I grow (but I don't grow FLF because of the leaf size), and many other tropicals, including schefflera. I found that healthy trees back-bud prolifically when treated this way. I cant tell you to "go ahead and stick your plant in full sun because I have no interest in tending such a large leafed tree, but I might need to buy one so I can see how it responds to a move from low light to full sun. I suspect it will be like all the rest of the ficus I've grown or repotted for others.

I'd probably treat your tree like this: Move to dappled or open shade when nights (and days) are reliably above 55*. After a week, move it to a full sun spot only on cloudy days. When my temperate bonsai leaf out in the garage in the spring, I move them to open shade. After several days there, I wait for a stretch when we're to have several days of cloudy weather and make the transition to a full sun site then.

Move your rooted cuttings to a solid medium asap. Be very careful with the roots. Roots that form in water are physically very different than roots that form in soil. One of the differences is the water roots are very brittle and break easily. They also don't transition well to a solid medium.

Gotta go .......

Al
Brittany Legg thanked tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
Ekor Tupai
5 years ago
The things you should consider when moving lyrata outside, this species isn't like other kind of ficus. Other ficus growing leaves one by one continuesly, the leaves fall and replaced easy, but lyrata is growing multiple big leaves at once from single bud just every 2 months or more, maybe similiar with sago palm, so if the leaves got burned or falls, need a long time to bring back it's beauty. If this species used as houseplant, it's better to leave it inside, except the leaves already ugly and you want fast leaves replacement, then bring it outside to boost it's growth will be good choice.
Brittany Legg thanked Ekor Tupai
Brittany Legg
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks Gudang and Al!

I ended up just taking the plunge and putting it in the part sun spot about 10 days ago and it seems to be doing very well! I have two new leaves currently growing in quite quickly and no brown spots or signs of sunburn. Luckily we had a stretch of cloudy days after I moved it outside, so I suspect this helped it acclimate.

As for the cuttings, I put put them in dirt as soon as tiny white bud looking roots started to show and they seem to be doing well! As long as they don't turn brown and die I guess I'll assume they rooted in there!
lpiet86
5 years ago
Hi, I have a similar question. I brought mine home about 2 weeks ago and so far so good, with one new leaf. It’s at a south-facing window with lots of indirect light. Only concern is the A/C vent above but I’ve moved it to minimize draft. Sometimes the leaves droop a little in the evening but always perk back up when the sun comes up.

I’m wondering if I should move it outside as suggested for the summer? I like having it inside but will move it to maximize long-term growth and health! But I’m in central Ohio where we have frequent 90+ degree days and the shadiest spot I can offer it (on the balcony) would have 2+ hours of direct sun. Is it worth it or better to keep it where it is?

Thank you!

Lindsay
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
5 years ago
2 hrs of midday sun, early/late morning, early/late evening?

Al
lpiet86
5 years ago
Early afternoon. Very strong and hot this time of year!
Ekor Tupai
5 years ago
Your current location have good light already. Light intensity maybe 1000-5000 lux, which is ok. Direct sunlight on early afternoon still nearly 100000 lux. 2 hours is enough to make the leaves burned. Not ok for big leaves plant that rarely growing new leaves.
Jessica Milton
5 years ago
Hi! only a few months late replying, but I moved my fiddle leaf outside on May 4 and this is today (See 2 pics). Mine is on my back deck under a covered area. It gets some morning & afternoon sun. She has LOVED being outside and has grown so much! From what I’ve read I think I will bring her in when it starts getting below 55 at night
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Strong work, Jessica! Looking good .......... Glad you came back to share your thoughts.

Al
User
5 years ago
what a success!!! i will be doing the same thing! im excited
Isaio Shirataku
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I grow mine outdoors full sun all day from morning to evening. They’ve never had a problem. These things are native to Cameroon and are planted in various spots in the wild in full sun. It’s a myth that they like shady corners as they typically grow very slowly in these conditions. This fig can be a fast grower but only in moderate to full sun. I get a new leaf just about every 3-4 days in full sun. In shade it is more like 1 every couple weeks or so. If your fig was previously indoors you’ll need to adjust light exposure gradually. Here’s a picture of a fig growing outdoors in full sun Florida. Also the OP is asking about light exposure, Al, I’m not sure what your expertise about bonsai has anything to do with her question. Please try to stay on topic.
User
5 years ago
wow!!! how oftem do you water when outside?
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
5 years ago
Lol ..... While it's true I might find some measure of pleasure in your approval of how I choose to conduct myself, you can be equally certain that your disapproval won't be reason enough to deter me from the course that has served me well for all the years I've participated here.

Al
User
5 years ago
tell us how much you water and fertilise when outdoors isaiauo! i also want new growths every 3 days!
Isaio Shirataku
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
@Mike the Fiddle Leaf Fig Guy: Generally I don't water much. Probably about the same as I do with my orchids. It's never a set schedule, it's just whenever the medium gets dry. If it rains a lot outside obviously withhold water. Usually you can tell if the fiddle leaf fig needs water cause the leaves will start to droop. I usually water before or at this stage to prevent overwatering. I just use a general miracle gro fertilizer twice a month. It's worth noting that if you are going to have full sun exposure you should never use any leaf shining or neem oil treatments. Wait a bit to let the oils dissolve/evaporate so the leaves don't get fried.

@tapla or whatever your name is. We have a saying in Japan. 猿も木から落ちる. Even monkeys will fall from trees. You're not perfect and you make mistakes just like the rest of us. So don't hold your head so high up in the clouds there. If you knew as much as you say you do about the art of Bonsai you'd also know in Japanese culture almost everything we do from cooking, to gardening is an exercise in humbleness and humility. Please don't ruin the art of bonsai with your poor attitude. Please and thank you. :)
User
5 years ago
thank you shirataku-san! what can you say about the wind outdoors? i live in the windest place on earth... will the wind break the stem or the leaves?
Isaio Shirataku
5 years ago
@Mike: a little breeze is ok! Just not too windy. They don’t really enjoy be rattled around.

@Dave: Helped? Lmao a non Japanese educating other people on bonsai. That’s literally the funniest thing I’ve ever heard. Almost like a non-Japanese teaching Japanese.
tropicofcancer (6b SW-PA)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Sorry for straying off-topic but I have a few words to say.

Isaio: I think I read upstream you said - If you knew as much as you say you do about the art of Bonsai you'd also know in Japanese culture almost everything we do from cooking, to gardening is an exercise in humbleness and humility.

Followed by: Lmao a non Japanese educating other people on bonsai. That’s literally the funniest thing I’ve ever heard. Almost like a non-Japanese teaching Japanese.

I fail to see your sense of humbleness and humility that you espouse. Almost seems your ego is hurt.

I also fail to see your point on non-Japanese teaching the art of bonsai. There are more people now outside of Japan that are bonsai masters than in Japan. Just like there are more Yoga masters outside of India. It is a good thing and holding onto a belief like only an Indian can teach Yoga will be counter-productive.

From the web: The word “Bon-sai” (often misspelled as bonzai or banzai) is a Japanese term which, literally translated, means “planted in a container”. This art form is derived from an ancient Chinese horticultural practice, part of which was then redeveloped under the influence of Japanese Zen Buddhism.

So if we believe the above quote then the Japanese owe a lot to the Chinese and then to the Buddhist (which originates in India). Looks like it is not original Japanese after all.

Finally, we are talking about plant in a container here and so Al drawing from his bonsai experience is absolutely relevant.
User
5 years ago
this forum can make use of a little love...
Erika
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
... as well as a little less ethnocentrism.
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
5 years ago
..... ever notice that some people suffer more from their anger and grievances than from the things that lead them to feel angry and aggrieved?

Al
Matt Barnett
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Just being a member of an ethnicity does not grant the right to lecture about cultural ideals on behalf of the entire country. And then blowing the image in the very next comment by contradicting those very ideals.

That being said, I'd like to see a cocky newcomer from an Amish community rise up to defeat Eminem and Ice Cube in a rap battle encompassing the topics of money, firearms, women and automobiles.
Isaio Shirataku
5 years ago
@Erika, That's rich coming from a white American. When white americans are ethnocentric it's okay but when other people of other countries are ethnocentric? Oh that's a no no. I bet half of you couldn't locate Iraq or Iran on a map after your country has gone to war for over a decade with them. Where is Bahrain? Taiwan? Maldives? None of you are qualified to speak about Japanese or Chinese things especially when most of you on this forum are monolingual. There is terminology that is NOT translatable. I can read, write, speak Chinese, Japanese, Korean, English and two other Chinese dialects. The only small minded ones are you claiming to "know" culture. I have nothing more to say in a country that thinks it's the best. You ever wonder why people hate the US so much? There's your answer. Maybe if you guys were in the business of actually making friends, not enemies, things like 9/11 wouldn't happen. You don't see ISIS attacking Japan do you?
Matt Barnett
5 years ago
Congratu-f#$×ing-lations. We are so jealous of your multilinguism and multiculturalism. We get it, you must feel so grandiose, waving your peaceable, humble ways over our heads. Wait... didn't Japan have a rich history of invading, raping and pillaging its way through China? Weren't there times when Japan was busy trying to outright conquer and occupy other countries? There are precious few countries that have no dirt on their hands, so stop pretending that you and yours are above us and ours. Its a level playing field, all around. Wave your flag with yours and we will wave our flag with ours, but try not to wave yours over ours.

You started out projecting a carefully crafted air of evolved, humble intelligence, but in the end your toxic pride exposed you for the arrogant, ignorant ass you are.
Ali Burgess
5 years ago
most humble comment I’ve ever read thats for sure
Matt Barnett
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Hey, all... Who said there wasn't a place where the sharing of botanical knowledge and political, cultural and racial idealism didn't overlap? :)
Dave
5 years ago
I’ve been to Japan many times and have of friends over there. Close friends that I see and speak with often.

Every single person ive ever met in Japan has been the kindest and most respectful.

This is guy is either not from Japan originally, or he just really sucks.
Dave
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Ive been to Japan many times and have a lot of great friends over there.

Every person ive ever met has been the kindest and most respectful.

This is guy is either not from Japan, or just has it out for Americans in general.
Erika
5 years ago
Isaio - the irony of you assuming all Americans are white is not lost on me. Your experience with plants could have offered great value to this board. We‘ll try hard not to let our Budweisers become too diluted by our tears of sorrow over your loss.
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
A parable: Mr Shiitake was promoted to vice president of the company he worked for. Every day he would go home to his partner and go on and on, bragging about his greatness until his partner could no longer tolerate the boasting. He informed Mr Shiitake, "These days everyone is a vice-president. Why, they even have a vice president of peas at the supermarket". Being the person he is, Mr. Shiitake doubted the claim, so he called the supermarket and asked for the Vice-President of peas, please. The immediate response was, "Fresh or frozen?"

It's one thing to believe all people are worms (in comparison to their favored deity) because it provides at least a tenuous foundation for humility and a sense of equality; but when you think you're the only glowworm by whose light all things are revealed, you become a god in your own eyes. If you were half as bright as you believe your bulb to be, grasshopper, you wouldn't have so very easily been led to reveal your nature. All it took was a simple statement relating I'd continue to be as helpful as I can be in a way I'm accustomed to - regardless of your approval/disapproval, and it's off to the races. Few things can harsh a mellow faster than someone whose ability to reason is parenthetical to emotion.
Matt Barnett
5 years ago
Agreed. I have traveled to many countries and lived in a few, and while my list of languages I can speak is only two, that is still something. This guy is not from Japan. Japanese people i have met tend to be polite, intelligent and humble. If this guy shares any Japanese heritage at all, he is a banana, at best.
Matt Barnett
5 years ago
Al, at first when this blowhard told you essentially to keep your advice to yourself, it felt like there was some prior bad blood between you. That confused me because his history on the site was less than mine, and i am yet a new face here. I started to think that the only explanation was that you had somehow unintentionally brought him here from another forum, much like an STD. Now i see he was simply "deposited" here by chance, as of he were the seed of an invasive weed carried in the droppings of a passing bird.
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
5 years ago
First time I've encountered him/her, and no history that I'm aware of. Chance meeting .....

Al
tropicofcancer (6b SW-PA)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Erika; Well said. I was thinking you could as well be European.

Last I checked China and N. Korea really love Japan and if it were not for those pesky US troops stationed there they would have loved to pop over to plant a kiss.

I know quite a few "foreigners" here in US who constantly bad mouth Americans but would not hesitate to collect their paychecks.
Matt Barnett
5 years ago
I don't get how people can't seem to live in a place instead of just squat there. The same people who went through (and PAID for!) the naturalization process and uprooted their lives abroad to get to a country can't let go of the old one. I get ethnic food and fond memories, but if you make a conscious effort to live near and exclusively interact with other ex-pats in the native language, what can you learn and know about the culture and people of your new home? When i have lived abroad (as opposed to simply traveled), i have left my American ways and language at the airport for me to collect on my way back to the US. I never looked for other Americans or spoke English. I interacted with and lived among the people with an open mind. If my language was not sufficient to get my point across, I invited people to correct me so that i learned. I ate the food, i visited the landmarks and learned about their significance. What would i have gained if i brought my flag and waved it to ward off people that were not like me, and only interacted with other Americans? Nothing but distrust of the people and culture of the place i called home. I would feel isolated and unaccepted by everyone around me, unaware that i CAUSED it myself. Everyone would seem like a racist from that perspective, wouldnt they?
L T
5 years ago
I left our big fiddle leaf fig outside for three days (took it out Saturday morning, brought it in Monday afternoon), and it looked like it sustained a bit of burn.

Before (June):

After (today):

I'm worried that the tree won't recover because it's fall.

Will the leaves fall out? Is there any way to save this tree? Is it worth it to remove those leaves that burned? I don't anticipate new growth until next summer because we're headed into fall and winter.

Any help appreciated!
Dave
5 years ago
Did you place it right in direct sun without acclimating it first?

If so, it’ll drop all of those leaves but it won’t die as long as you don’t over water and give it plenty of light.
L T
5 years ago
Yeah, I was stupid and thought it would've been fine outside! I only read suggestions to slowly acclimate the tree after the fact. Sigh.

It's now back indoors, it doesn't get a TON of light, but it's facing a northeast window, all glass (seen in photo).
Dave
5 years ago
Do you have a south facing window?
L T
5 years ago
Nope, sadly.
tropicofcancer (6b SW-PA)
5 years ago
It will come back. You can take out the heavily sunburnt ones at the top. The ones that are partially burnt may show signs of stress in a few days. Next time remember to take it slowly. Do it in spring/summer when night temp go over 55F. Ficus can handle full Sun very well once acclimatized.