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Multiple trunks/stems of a Fiddle Leaf Fig in one pot. What to do?

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

@tapla Hello, I've inherited a FLF and not sure what to do. It has about 12 'trunks' or maybe they are called stems, in one pot. I've started to make cuttings of some of the smaller ones. So far I have 3 and only just started so no progress to give you . What should I do with the remaining? Also, it looks like it really needs to be repotted but not sure if I should re-pot all the trunks or...? And, the diameter of these stems/trunks are not very large at all. Thank you so much for your replies and answers to so many of these questions. I've been reading the forums but haven't found an answer yet to this type of issue.

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Comments (4)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
3 years ago
looks like it was starving for light previously ... that caused the height and flimsiness of the trunks ...

be careful moving it into more sun .. especially if you decide to put it outdoors for summer ... harden it off before such ...

i see that heat register there ... come winter.. it may not like hot dry air blowing on it ... so you might have to think about that ...

ken
User
3 years ago
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0212/1030/0480/products/braided-ficus-benjamina_570x570_crop_center.jpg?v=1584723405
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Thanks again for the feedback! I was already mid-repotting session when I read Al's reply so I didn't incorporate any ballast at the bottom of the pot. Now I wish I had thought of that, or even thought to put a wick in the bottom of the pot. I made the mix I described above. The bag of orchid mix looked like it was a combination of fines or peaty soil and a lot of bark/sapwood. After adding the perlite, I think (I hope!) the net effect is something like the mix Al suggested above (using one part soil similar to what it's potted in already with two parts perlite). In other words, there's perlite, lots of bark, and some fines that are similar in texture to what the tree was already planted in. I watered to beyond saturation and held the pot at a 45° angle for a few minutes to let it drain even more. It drained really well, and the soil was definitely damp, not wet. It's on the porch now. It will get open shade for the first half of the day and full sun in the late afternoon. I've got a chair in front of the pot to keep it shaded for the first hour or so the sun is on the tree so it doesn't spontaneously combust. Thanks again for all of your help. I'll keep you posted if and when any new growth starts!
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How fast your plant's trunk thickens is directly related to the amount of photosynthesizing (leaf) surface the plant has, which determines the number of files of cells laid down in the cambium, which in turn is what determines the rate at which branches and trunks thicken. From this, we can see that pruning is actually a counterproductive act when thickening is desired. If you only tip-prune (remove the stems apex), however, the impact on thickening is insignificant. Ideally, you would wait to terminate the main stem until the plant is about 2/3 the ht (measured from the top of the soil) at which you'd like to maintain the plant. This allows for a bare trunk that is 2/3 of the tree's ht and then 1/3 of the tree's ht in foliage. You'll get the most enthusiastic response from healthy trees grown outdoors for at least a month before you terminate the main stem, and later from terminated branches. Also, if branches occur on the lower part of the tree, allow them to grow for a year or two - they provide additional additive growth (thickening) the plant would otherwise not have put on, absent the additional source of food (photosynthate) they contribute. Al
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..... no reason to think your plant or any part of it is doomed. It has built-in mechanisms that will ensure the separate stems will find their way to adequate light if there is adequate light to be found. A pyramid has 3 line segments that terminate at a common point. Think of your plant as a pyramid that's standing on its point. The longer the line segments/stems are, the greater the amount of space they can potentially occupy, ensuring that each leaf gets a full light load. Keep in mind that you can guide the direction your stems/trunks grow by pruning back to a leaf that grows off the stem on the side you want the stem to turn to. Pruned as shown, the new branch in the leaf axil (crotch) will grow to the right. Move the pruning cut down one leaf and the branch that WILL form in the leaf axilo will grow to the left. Al
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tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
3 years ago
I've inherited a FLF and not sure what to do. It has about 12 'trunks'
or maybe they are called stems, in one pot. Hi, Jil. Either term is appropriate. I've started to make
cuttings of some of the smaller ones. What should I do with the
remaining? I'm not cracking wise when I say, "Whatever you want to do with them". Among your options are more cuttings, leave them as part of a multi-tree/trunk/stem composition, air-layer them, remove and discard. They look flexible enough that you could braid or plait several for one planting, too ...... not sure what you're up for? Also, it looks like it really needs to be repotted but not
sure if I should re-pot all the trunks or...? I think it's pretty much a plant one - plant all kind of a situation. Let me know what you decide and I'll help if you need it. And, the diameter of these
stems/trunks are not very large at all. Ken's right in suggesting lack of light has been a tong term limitation for the planting, but that can be resolved by positioning it in a better spot indoors, and even growing it outdoors in summer. Thank you so much for your
replies and answers to so many of these questions. You're welcome. I've been reading the
forums but haven't found an answer yet to this type of issue. No doubt we'll be able to figure out something that works for you. What do you have in mind, insofar as what you want the planting(s) to look like eventually?

Al
Jil thanked tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
Jil
Original Author
3 years ago
@tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a) I would like at least one to be lollipop in shape and would love to have one that is more layered (not sure how to describe it). I didn't know I could braid them! I might try and go for a more sculpted look with the cuttings (if they grow that is).

I am thinking I will repot this one. I plan on making more cuttings of some of the smaller stems and then repot the remaining bigger, fuller ones. Maybe try braiding if that is an option.

When you say take it outside is Colorado weather good for a plant like this? It averages about 90 degrees with little humidity. I do have shade. And, should I take it outside after repotting or before? Leave it out all night and day? Use a humidifier inside?

Wow, I'm really getting into this plant thing. Thank you so much!

Jill

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