Advise on how to encourage branching of fiddle leaf fig
6 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (12)
- 6 years ago
Related Discussions
fiddle leaf fig: encouraging growth?
Comments (1)Yes, I have one growing next door in the open ground and it is huge! yours looks very healthy, however, I think I'd be thinking about repotting it in a larger pot with good quality potting mix. I'd also give it a dose of seasol at planting time and about every 3 months a dose of slow release fertiliser suitable for potted plants. As there are now a number of variations of slow release fertiliser, and I'm not sure if there's one specific for this plant, I'd check the labels before purchase. Off hand, I'd reckon a general one would do ok. b....See MoreFiddle Leaf Fig sprouted random branch
Comments (8)Hi, Gilbert. The best way to get branches to form is: make sure the roots are healthy - get the plant outdoors where light is very bright and there is plenty of air movement ...... but there are other ways, too like judiciously defoliating (more on that below) or notching. Dividing your Ficus isn't all that traumatic for the plant. In fact, you can actually "divide" large ficus with an axe if necessary, not that I'm recommending that practice; but, you can actually hack the plants apart so each half has an appropriate volume of roots attached, dividing them is no more dangerous than repotting. How about sharing a few pictures of your tree from different angles. Often, if there are ACTUALLY 2 or more individual plants in a pot, you can actually separate them by pulling them apart after removing most of the soil with little force. Your tree produces a growth regulator (hormone) called auxin in all it's dynamic tissues. One of its functions is suppression of lateral growth, which would be new branches. Most auxin is produced in apical meristems, which are the active growth regions near branch tips, but auxin is also produced in leaves. Removing leaves reduces the polar flow of auxin - "polar" because it only moves downward. This means there may not be enough auxin flowing downward to inhibit growth from latent (like dormant) buds, which allows another growth regulator (cytokinin) to activate buds proximal (closer to the roots) to the leaves removed. The result of the newly activated bud is a new branch. In many cases, the outcome is very predictable, in other cases, the result is quite predictable, but the pattern random. IOW, given any healthy ficus with a branch that has 100 leaves on it, all of which are removed in summer, you can bet as much as you like on the fact that significant back-budding will occur on that branch as it pushes a new flush of growth, and the number of leaves that emerge after defoliation will be much higher than the 100 you started with. It's also very likely there will be additional back-budding on other branches close to the trunk or off the trunk itself below the defoliated branch. I'm not sure where you live, but the month of June in the N hemisphere is a very good time to do any serious work on your trees. Potting up isn't serious work, but repotting is. Repotting (includes root pruning and a change of soil) ensures your plant will not be limited by root congestion until about the time the root/soil mass can be lifted from the pot intact. Potting up ensures the limitations imposed by root congestion and soil compaction will continue until the plant dies or the grower intervenes and eliminates the congestion by repotting. You might find value in the info this link will take you to. If you like that thread, I can link you to another that discusses caring for trees in containers for the long term. It goes into considerable detail about root work and other tips to keep trees happy in containers. There is no reason a well-tended tree in a container can't outlive both of us and be kept healthy and compact, with proper care. Trees in pots have far more potential to outlive their counterparts growing in situ (where they naturally occur). Al...See MoreFiddle Leaf Fig - Help With Branching!
Comments (3)It's getting late in the summer, but: cut the plant below the first cut, actually, above the leaf on the left side. Put the plant outdoors in light shade/EARLY morning sun. GRADUALLY, over a couple weeks at least, acclimate the plant to nearly full sun, this should cause back-budding at the leaves. Sudden exposure to full sun will burn those leaves to a crisp. Once this occurs, (budding) move the plant into shade, still outside, in preparation for much reduced light indoors over winter. Keep outside as long as night temps don't fall below 50F, then bring in. Give as much sun as possible indoors, a full sun south window, assuming northern hemisphere won't hurt anything. Allow soil to get fairly dry, then water till water drains out bottom of pot. Repeat as necessary....See MoreTop leaf/ branch broken off of my fiddle leaf fig.
Comments (5)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 :)...See MoreRelated Professionals
Choctaw Landscape Contractors · Porterville Landscape Contractors · Woodburn Landscape Contractors · Saint Charles Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Fort Payne Landscape Contractors · Uxbridge Landscape Contractors · Milton Landscape Contractors · Oak Forest Landscape Contractors · Paramus Landscape Contractors · Tavares Landscape Contractors · Waterford Landscape Contractors · York Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Fort Worth Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Kissimmee Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Richmond Fence Contractors- 6 years ago
- 6 years ago
- 6 years ago
- 6 years ago
- 6 years ago
- 6 years ago
- 6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago
- 6 years ago
- 6 years ago
- 6 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 Story
DECORATING GUIDESA Glimmer of Gold Leaf Will Make Your Room Shine
Make a unique, unexpected statement in any space with this precious metallic finish
Full Story
WINTER GARDENINGPruning Secrets for Exquisite Roses
Encourage gorgeous blooms year after year with this time-tested advice on how to prune your rosebush in winter for health and shape
Full Story
CONTAINER GARDENSConsider These 10 Pet-Safe Houseplants
Help keep cats and dogs healthy with the right selection of indoor plants
Full Story
TREES10 Spectacular Trees for Courtyards and Tight Spaces
Here are some top small-scale trees for 4-season interest, easy care and little mess
Full Story
CONTAINER GARDENSHappy Houseplants, Happy People
Potted plants add life and beauty to a room. Learn easy ways to keep them healthy
Full Story
GARDENING GUIDESNew Ways to Think About All That Mulch in the Garden
Before you go making a mountain out of a mulch hill, learn the facts about what your plants and soil really want
Full Story
DECORATING GUIDESTop 10 Interior Stylist Secrets Revealed
Give your home's interiors magazine-ready polish with these tips to finesse the finishing design touches
Full Story
DECORATING GUIDESDitch the Rules but Keep Some Tools
Be fearless, but follow some basic decorating strategies to achieve the best results
Full Story
WINTER GARDENINGHow to Prune Your Fruit Trees in Winter
Garden chores may slow down this season, but pruning your fruit trees now means healthier plants that will produce more
Full StorySponsored
More Discussions
Dave