how can I get my fiddle leaf fig to stand straighter?

5 years ago

I’ve had this fiddle leaf fig for maybe 6 months. I love it but I wish the branches stood straight up rather than outward. Can I fix it?

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User

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

" I’ve seen lots of pictures of them in houses on Houzz and love how they add to a space. "

A picture, that took an instant to take, doesn't tell you the history of that tree. It was most likely was developed by the owner by moving it outside to inside during the seasons, so it gets enough sun to accomplish a required amount of photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis is how plants make food for the roots. The more food that can be made for the roots, the more robust the growth of the tree can be. This also includes water, nutrients and type of media. These are referred to as 'plant culture variables' which together are necessary to grow nice plants.

Cutting off branches where the leaves reside only reduces the photosynthesis the tree can accomplish, thus making less food for the roots and putting the tree under more stress than it already is.

7 months is probably not too long in a pots life, so you can probably go a year or two, if the media is correct. Bark based media, is excellent for growing trees in pots. (more information and be found in the ['Container Gardening'[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/container-gardening-dsbr0-bd~t_29858) section of this forum).

So,once the 'plant culture variables' are all met, your tree can grow into the type of tree you see others, who know what to do, have in their houses. :^)

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Comments (11)

User
5 years ago
The branches are stretching towards the source of light by the windows.

Give it light from above and it will grow in a more 'upward' direction. :-)
Kittin
Original Author
5 years ago
These windows are the best light source I have. I can move it so it’s in front of only one window. I placed a steak in there but I don’t think it’s tall enough and I don’t want to cause strain on it. All the other fig trees I’ve seen are more of a bushy looking tree, I don’t like how mine looks.
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User
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Can you put it outside during the growing season, so it gets some real light?

Trees are not houseplants. You can grow them in a container for many years but if they don't get enough light, the will develop the best they can which can be weird if not getting enough direct light.

I would acclimate it to the outside, giving it short periods the first week or two. Not a lot of direct sun at first. Then increase each week so it eventually gets several hour a day direct sun.

How long has it been in that pot? In may be time for an upgrade.
Kittin
Original Author
5 years ago
I could put it outside but I really enjoy having it in the house. :( I’ve seen lots of pictures of them in houses on Houzz and love how they add to a space. Just wish mine was shaped better. Are there ways to trim it without harming it? It’s in the same pot I bought it in, and I bought it probably 7 months ago.
T T
5 years ago
You might try *gently* tying the two limbs together (or to a central stake), starting closer towards the crotch where they join, and then, gradually (over several months), adding additional ties. Obviously, you'd want to use something that has some give, and won't damage the bark of the tree. I'd use a panty hose leg.
Kittin
Original Author
5 years ago
What months would be considered growing season?
User
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
What part of the world do you reside in?

Big city name is close enough.

In my part of the world, it's still winter. June through August is pretty much our frost free period and if I was going to wheel a large pot outside, thinking 2 wheel cart here, I would put it out during that time so I wouldn't have to move it in & out during cold spells.

If you have a deck or patio, it might be possible to put it out on that during the day and if your nights were cold or frosty, you could move it in at night. That way, you could possibly start putting it out much earlier in the year and leave it out later.

I do that to my Opuntia and started seeds (March or April) to get them acclimated to the sun earlier in the season.
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
5 years ago
To fix it, you'll need to let go of the idea that just because a tree has paid for the growth it's put on, there must be a law somewhere that says the growth is forever sacred, and therefore you commit a sacrilege if you even entertain the thought of removing a stick of it. Millions of growers willingly sacrifice the appearance of their indoor trees on the altar of growth, then fret because the trees have grown way out of bounds. It can't be had both ways. If you give your trees their head and allow them to grow as they will, you'll need to settle for ugly trees. If, on the other hand you take control over how your trees grow, you might end up tossing a fair share of growth, but end up with something special.

A Ficus benjamina story in pictures:
Ugly, yes, but there was a plan .....
Several years later ^^^
Same tree, same year, after defoliation ^^^
Same tree, same year, ^^^ about 2-3 weeks after pruning/styling, 90% of the branches gone, leaves cut in half to slow growth.

Another Ficus, this one a retusa:
Pruned hard in June ^^^
.... had grown back to this by August ^^^

Pruned a second time in same year and styled ^^^

You can see by the images that I simply use wild growth as a way to keep a tree extremely healthy so it has the stored energy to tolerate extreme work.

If you can't stand cutting the long branches back hard to correct the lean (I can tell you how to do that), or removing the smaller trunk and changing the planting angle in the pot so the long side is about vertical, you might want to start a couple of air layers now. An air layer isn't "serious work" which should be undertaken in June where you live.

I'll watch for your reply - no sense in getting too far ahead of myself.

Al
Embothrium
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Turn it away from the window and it will grow back toward it. When it is half way toward leaning again start keeping it turned often enough that it never develops a marked lean in either direction.
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
The long trunk is already 'set', meaning only the growing tip of the trunk will exhibit any notable phototropic response (bend toward the light). Can you imagine what the tree would look like if the tip suddenly veered straight up or back toward a point directly above where the trunk exits the soil?

There are 3 ways of fixing this issue, 2 of them practical in this case.

Practical:

* Change the planting angle so the long trunk/branch is vertical or nearly so - a 15-30 minute project. The subordinate trunk/branch would be removed, or cut back and it's growth redirected such that it compliments the dominant trunk.

* The tree can be cut back hard to a leaf facing the direction in which a branch should go. Basically, for visual balance, the leaf should be facing the point where the trunk exits the soil, and be allowed to grow beyond that point to restore visual balance.

The pruning cut above ensures the new branch will grow to the right, absent any phototropic influences. If it's desired that the branch grow left, the pruning cut would be above the lower leaf. A new branch will (dependably) form in the leaf axil (crotch) as above, and grow left.

Practical for a bonsai practitioner, but not practical for this application because of the growers unfamiliarity with the techniques.

* The tree could be bent using wire and one or more mechanical apparatus. It could also be notched and bent.

Al