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Top leaf/ branch broken off of my fiddle leaf fig.

5 years ago

Before and after. The top leaf and branch was knocked off when rough housing kids knocked a lamp into my beloved plant and snapped the top branch off completely. After deep breathing and sending the children outside, I cut the nub closer to the plant....with trees, this would be akin to “topping” the tree. Is it the same? How will it grow? I’m heart broken and afraid it is going to do weird things to the plant or wait a year for a new leaf to finally form at some cock-eyed, weird angle.

Comments (5)

User
5 years ago
Hi Heather, don’t worry your fiddle leaf fig looks fine. Many people would prune their FLF in just this manner to encourage it to branch from the top. Sometimes it takes awhile for new branches to start to grow from the top and plenty of bright light will help it do so quicker. (More often then not you should probably get 2 new branches from the top).

Pruning would usually be done in Spring/Summer while the plant is showing active growth. If you’re growing season is coming to an end you may not see new growth/branching from this area until next Spring. Sometimes fiddle leaf figs are stubborn....just like children. Lol

Don’t worry too much as your FLF looks nice and healthy. I actually love the way yours looks right now. Happy growing :)
Heather Jacks
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you, Rachael!!
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Thank you Matt. To add some additional background ... I’ve been caring for fiddle leaf figs for about four years. First in NJ, where it was much more humid, and for the past almost-two years in Colorado. I’m always learning but I’m not a complete novice with judging when my plants need water. I can tell when the largest leaves begin to droop, by the weight of the pot, how the soil feels when I insert my finger, etc. I also realize the climate, type of soil, type of pot, etc. can all contribute to its watering needs. I didn’t suspect I was over watering when I originally posted, but Al’s suspicion led me to look for additional ways to test his theory. While the electronic toys you referred to aren’t 100% accurate, for a very small investment they provide another piece of data that can help diagnose and solve the problem. As does the wooden skewer method you recommended, which is another good indicator, but again, not perfect. (Two people may determine what feels moist vs. dry differently, they may not insert it deeply enough, etc.) I suspect from clicking around that you’re letting your frustrations from other threads carry over into this one. But please note this was my first-ever post on Houzz, and your condescending tone makes it difficult to take your advice in the spirit I’m sure it was intended.
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HU-942112446
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Help! The top part of my FLF snapped off when I had put it outside to water and drain. It suddenly got windy and pushed my plant over. So so shattered. Is there anything I can do to help save it? It hasnt snapped off completetly. I’ve tried taping it for now to hold it together.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
2 years ago
cut it off properly below the damage.. and then root that piece ...

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=fiddle+leaf+fig+propagation&t=ffcm&iax=videos&ia=videos

with no insult to the root mass.. your original plant should be just fine ...

though a valiant effort.. plants do not heal like bones might ... even it the outer material heals.. it will most likely be lacking internal structure.. and on a plant that can grow to the ceiling... that might not be good ...

this really in no big deal ....

ken
HU-942112446
2 years ago
Thanks heaps Ken!

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