In this video I will show how to prune your Fiddle Leaf Fig to promote branching with some amazing results! I also provide some basic care tips for this plant. #fiddleleaffig #ficuslyrata #everythingplants
I had a cutting which was totally leafless. Just a stick! I waited. And waited! And WAITED! Not kidding it probably took 6 months for a very tender little root to form. Probably a year for a little leaf to pop out! Patience! If you can wait it out I’ve had success (slow success 😃) with about 90% of cuttings.
I love your video!! It's concise and covers everything we need to know about this plant. I appreciate that you don't have a :10 second video open…a waste of time. I appreciate that you get right to the point. I appreciate that you gave time lapse in the same video and I didn't have to search around for part 2! Basically, your video is the best I've seen and I've watched a ton with regard to this plant. THANK YOU!!!!
I have a really big one on my patio in Florida, it became top heavy so I tried to air layer 2 branches. The wind snapped the branches so I put them in water one rooted well and just potted it recently! So happy to say it now has new leaves!
I accidentally pruned the top while moving about a year ago and it was very touch & go, but my plant eventually recovered, and I got 3 branches out of it! I did such a dorky happy dance when I finally spotted the new growth on it again
I've looked at a few of these Fiddle Leaf care video's. I rescued one that I was in my Apt. dumpster. It was sad with only 2 leaves that were alive. I've ALWAYS had it by my outside entrance/front door on the north side I'm on the 1st floor a lenght of shade is right over my entrance that leads into a very shady courtyard. My Fiddle Leaf Tree is happy, thriving and over 7 feet tall with 29 leaves. I take good care of it. Moral of story- If you rescue/adopt a sad Fiddle Leaf it will be happy and thrive in an area where there is absolutely No Direct Sunlight! I did water it just right- Not over Not under. Plus polished/cleaned the leaves now and then & re-pottted/resoil/fertalized. Yes I fertilized when repotting. (They all say wait some time after you re-pot before you fertalize.) My shady, fertalized Fiddle Tree is thriving. If your given one and you don't have a sunny place for it don't give up hope! But YES If you DO have a sunny place you should listen to the supposed advice that tells you it 'will die/not survive/thrive in a shady area. I think because I live in So Cal my plant is OK. You may not be so lucky if you live where it's colder.
Thanks for sharing this plant rescue story! I think it also helps with the California heat and humidity that you tree is growing so nicely. I've said many times to people "just give it a try" as plants adapt so well to changing conditions.
Great video! Love that you fast forwarded and showed new growth after you prude it. I’ve been growing these for 5+ years and it’s been a learning lesson along the way. But they aren’t difficult to grow if you give them lots of sunlight and adequate water. Give them a good fertilizer.
Glad to see your video. We are “watching” a FLF that belongs to my daughter-in-law since she and my son began a four year tour in Japan. When we got it, there was only one leaf and now after three years it is almost ten feet tall and covered with leaves. It’s now too tall for the windows and the top foot is getting very little light. I think I’ll try to prune it to promote additional branches. So far, it’s one ten foot stem with only one branch and has to be supported off of a bamboo stake.
Great video! So glad you talked about using moisture meter. When I got my first FLF I tested two inches down with my finger and it was dry so I’d water! Then it started getting brown spots, beginning rot root I feared. So I started using meter and my problems cleared up. Please stress using the meter more! They are accurate if you use them correctly. A meter saved my plant. I now have nine Fiddles…they seem to be addictive! Great video.
Great video and so much detailed information. Mine began 2 years ago at 2 feet; now it's almost 9 feet, and sits outdoors in the southern California weather; this past winter la great deal of rain, and off days almost 5 hours of sun. I was afraid it would snap with 45mph winds but was afraid to prune it. Thanks, feel better now about getting it (charlie) to grow more branches. :)
I don't have a lot of space, but this video makes me want to try again with this plant. I did everything wrong with the first one I had (including putting it straight outside in the sun which caused a lot of burn) and eventually it didn't want to tolerate my abuse anymore haha. If I see a nice looking bambino I might just pick it up this summer.
You definitely need to try again. These are such wonderful looking plants in the home. I almost gave up a few times after pruning because it was in the awkward phase. Now that I have some experience with pruning them now a few times, I think I finally understand some of the techniques to branching.
Tysm 🎋4 how to prune..my fast growing almost 7’ r 8’ fig tree. Bought for $6 @HD had maybe 6 leaves couple yrs ago. Astonished how fast it grows indoors indirect light. Anxious to see it branch off when I prune it back couple ft..🤞
Thanks Sam. I've heard if you take a small cutting and propagate in soil then cover it with a bag for humidity they usually work out. I have had success once with water propagation.
I keep mine in a pot with drainage that sits inside another without - so when I think I may have over watered I can lift the plant up and get the water out of the bottom. Honestly I’ve never had to empty the basin pot but I check every couple weeks because it really likes getting a lot of water once a week.
One more tip. If you want branching all over the trunk? You need to remove any and all leaves shading the nodes. Light to the nodes, and cutting the apexical meristem of the plant, as well as cutting the tip makes them branch from every node. Did it to all but one of mine.
@@seiyuokamihimura5082 I agree and that's why I make these videos....to share what I've learnt along the way and I love when people give extra tips too!
My fiddle leaf is 8 feet tall and has three huge branches at the top. He is gorgeous and brings a great vibe to the livingroom.. I'm afraid to prune it and may make the plant look awkward with my cuts🌿..love your video and will get the courage to prune🪴
Thank you for this video! Great tips! My flf is tall, about 5 feet, but only 1 stem🙄. I need this inspiration to MAKE THAT CUT ✂️. Maybe now I can! Thank you!💚🌻🌿
It is extremely hard to make the cut...trust me haha. The first time I pruned I think I said oh shit...😢 what have I done, but then you start to see the new growth and realize things will be okay.
I got from my local nursery and when I brought it home all the leaves start falling. I almost threw it away coz I thought it was dying...lol Good thing I didn't coz now it's big and tall! Gotta learn these tricks and prune it ☺👍
Thanks for the video. I just bought one that is a single stem and about 4 feet tall. I want to prune the top to encourage branching but I noticed you also mentioned to not remove the lower leaves. Is there a better time to remove the leaves from the lower portion of the stem if I am also trying to get new branches on the top by pruning up there?
Great video! I propagated from 1 leaf that I snapped off a branch. So far ( a very long time later) I’ve got three new leaves ( small) & the mother leaf has died off.
It's such a great video, so informative. ❤ new subscriber...lol. why didn't I find your video sooner.. Now I just have a long stick with leaves. 😂 I'm gonna take a chance and prune it to see if I can get some branches.
Very informative, love the video! I have a FLF that is about 6ft now and I should have started trimming it sooner to encourage lateral growth at about 5ft, but it is just a long tree with no branching now! How much of the tree can be pruned from the top of the tree without doing damage to the plant?
Thanks so much for your video, I am about to hard prune back my plant after five years. Mine is now about 10 feet tall and only prune it once with one branch. 👏
Thanks for this video. I purchased a fiddle leaf fig but the leaves are not very large like the ones I've seen in magazines and elsewhere. I guess I have the smaller version of the plant. I love it and look forward to watching it grow. I just subscribed to your channel and look forward to learning more. What type of fertilizer is best?
Hey Sharon! Not saying you have it, but there is also a small leaved FLF called Bambino. I use Dyna grow foliage pro for all of my houseplants and they love them!
I’ve been using Elm Dirt plant food for everything I have in pots and am very happy with the results. They’ve all gone crazy growing outside. My question is, has anyone tried Elm Dirt on FLFs? Thanks.
Great video and very informative - a very naive question, can I just cut leaves (not the stem, just at the bottom of the leaf) that are not doing well? I put my plant in direct sun for some time and a few leaves were burnt out. One of them is at the bottom and I heard that wouldn't be good. What's your experience with that? Thanks again!
Great question! I think the only time you shouldn't cut a leaf off is when you also pruned to get the tree to branch. They say not to prune and then remove some leaves as you want the plant to focus on the branching area.
I had the same plant but unfortunately it got worms attack. I cut all the leaves down leaving a trunk. After two month a bud come out from the top and now it has 3 big healthy leaves showing. Now how do I promote leaf growth below the trunk ? Is that possible ? Or do I just have to wait for the top to grow longer and prune it ? Thanks needing your advice. 😊
Thank you for the video! I want to do this to my plant to promote the same look you have there. I do however have two leaves really low close to the pot. Can I remove them without promoting growth in that area? And also mine tend to lean towards the window and I would like the stalk to be straight up. Anyway to fix this?
Hello Cherie. Jist an FYI, I have another pruning video of the FLF coming out soon (filmed it yesterday) and I hacked it up again. Lol While you prune for branching, leave those lower leaves on. You can always take them off at another time, but let the plant focus its energy making branching. Be sure to fertilize as well....if you haven't already. I rotate my plant so it's not always facing the same direction. Maybe once every couple weeks. Pruning also helps establish thicker trunks as well. You can use a stack as a temporary support, but long term you aren't helping the plant out.
I have two ones and I really want them to branch out since they are just a stick with leaves on them. I tried to make a cut halfway through the stem on my smaller one a couple of months ago but it didn't respond well. A lot of leaves dropped but I think it might be because of root rot and the fact that I did not clean my knife before my cut. However, I fixed the rotting roots and it has had perhaps four new leaves since and is looking pretty cute. I was wondering if I could make a new cut or cut the top off again or if it is too late since it is July now. Worth mentioning is that I live in southern Sweden and don't have as much light in the winter (they made it last year without dropping) but the sun is out longer in the summer. Is it worth shooting the shot?
My plants were struggling and slowly losing leaves and dying, as soon as i repotted them with about 50% worm castings mixed into the potting mix. About 6 months later 1 plant is completely full with leaves and more branches. The other plant which was pruned back to almost nothing has regrown from the base and has about 6 or 7 leaves.
Hello! Reference section 2:49: could you clarify? So, if I were to twist off that new growth at the top, will it no longer grow any taller and force growth laterally elsewhere on the plant? Thanks!
I got my fig tree a month ago from Home Depot, I noticed the leaves were falling, I inspected the roots, they seemed dry. So I watered it, and the next day checked with a water meter and it’s showing dry again. I don’t want to give it root rot, what do you recommend to help this plant 😢
I have a plant that has grown taller and has no branches. Is it fine to prune the midway with no leaves remaining with the main stem ? Please let me know.
Hi. I know this is 2 yrs ago, but I've just watched this video and snipped my tall leggy 4 Yr old fig. I nearly fainted!! Anyway, so when would you suggest removing the lower leaves to make it look like a tree?
My flf is basically one straight stem with leaves at all heights, and one tiny branch really low like half foot above the soil, so if I want to use your method to make it grow to a tree shape, should I remove the tiny branch and all leaves lower down?
I am not a professional, but I probably would start with the prune into the tree like structure before removing those other branches. If you remove those other branches and prune it might focus energy repairing those areas instead of new growth, but like I said I am not a professional.
Can I actually do that on a bambino or are you just using it for an example? I thought I bought my fav tree form but recently found out it was a bambino although I do love it too I want the true flf tree
It is the same process for the bambino too. I recently purchased the bambino, so it may be awhile before this one gets its first prune. Go buy the regular FLF and you can have a collection of them lol. Thanks so much for watching my video.
I just came across your video, best explanation I've seen so far on pruning a FLF! Thank you! But it is late October, can I still make the cut now or should I wait till Spring? And...can I propagate the top part of the plant that is cut to make a new plant?
I would definitely wait until spring. It probably won't have enough energy to produce multiple branches. You can propagate the top cutting, but I have found this hard to do. For me, the leaves all fell off pretty fast.
So you didnt experience any problems with spraying water on the leaves? Would you even recommend it?I know for the monstera it loves to be sprayed, but the ficus are not supposed to like it. Great video. I'm going to prune mine today to get some more branches on it, and some extra plants =)
Where do you live? I would only recommend pruning it for more branches in the spring time when it is firing up for the spring and summer growth, otherwise you may only get one branch slowly....the plant won't have enough energy to produce multiple. As for the misting....I do occasionally, but with any plant you run the risk of a possible fungal infection on the leaves.
Hello. I love your video. I'm new to fiddle leaf and mine grew too tall. It's over 7 ft. Can I still prune it and cut about 2 feet or more off? I really don't want it to die.
@@EverythingPlants Mine is bout 7 ft too and I just pruned a bunch of leaves on a 2 ft branch. Hoping for new growth! And also hoping the one I cut will root!! Think I have a chance??
I bought my first Fiddle Leaf a few months ago. So far its doing fine but mine is only about 1 1/2' tall and extremely bushy and the bottom has tons of leaves. Can i start cutting the bottom leaves off to it starts to grow like a tree instead of a bush?
Hello, I have a question for you... A portion of my fiddle leaf fig became leggy, area of no new leaves, because during the summer the out door umbrella blocked it's sun for many hrs a day I just didn't notice it. So now what's happening is it's top heavy and bending over a bit because the leggy area is not strong to hold up the new growth. I read not to tie it back because the stem won't strengthen that way. I have always jiggled it too. The new growth at top is making it bend more and more. What to do? Shall I take off the whole top portion past the leggy part? Or will that prevent new growth at top? Or will I kill it? Or shall I leave it because it will fix itself. Tree is about 5 ft tall and I water it every 7 days about 5 cups of water. And it always gets some sun and in a bright spot.
Is it currently a single stem? Are you wanting it to branch out? For this Im going to assume it is a single stem. For right now I would definitely stake it up temporarily. The only way to fix this and strenghten up the stem is to prune it, but don't do it over the fall and winter months as the plant is probably not growing or it has very slow growth. I would recommend waiting to prune the top in the later spring when the growth really starts to happen and you may get multiple branches like in this video. Your plant may even send signals to those inactive nodes that you lost leaves on. Does this help?
@@EverythingPlants No there are two stems the more dominant or taller one is leaning. The 2nd stem is 2 ft and hasn't grown much. The taller stem has the leggy area which is leaning. When a plant is staked, it doesn’t have to do any work to support itself, so it never really strengthens. So I dont think I'll go that route.
@@tessafox1329 the stake is only temporary until you make the prune which will also help strengthen the stem in the long term. Good luck with which ever route you take.
lol, Kid Damage, the worst kind of pest. My flf's are doing great, but every time I've pruned them, they haven't branched, and then I have these wonky stems that I have to train back into a straight stem. it's been frustrating. lol.
Kid damage is the worst hahaha. I have been learning off this plant and the harder the prune the greater the results. Maybe it's just me, but I have read that the plant tries to balance out the new growth with the size of root structure that is already established.
Just a couple drops mixed in a spray bottle. I've actually changed practices as you have to be very careful to not use a soap that is a degreaser. For pest prevention, I think I'll switch to an insecticidal soap that you can buy. And for just cleaning the leaves, a damp cloth.
I have one that have been gifted to me. It’s tall with very few leaves at the top. Someone advised me to cut the plant down to 2 feet tall. It would just be a stem if I do that. Would you recommend that?
Hey Anuradha. Here is my very first video I made 3 years ago. It is horrible, but here is the FLF ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-sC1azQdml44.html
Love your explanation of pruning so it branches. I’m sorry but I could not understand what you called the tip of the stem that you pinched off. Can you repeat that word or post me a notification. Thank you.
I believe he called it the “apical dominance”. The Apical bud is the bud at the tip of main stem. When you cut it off or pinch it off it forces the growth hormone auxin back down the main stem that stimulates the dormant buds just below.
Yes! Absolutely....I propagate it in water. Once it grows large enough roots, place it in soil and cover the entire thing with a clear plastic bag and give it lots of light.
I would do it only in the springtime just as the plant is ramping up energy for new growth. If you have the plant under grow lights and getting consistent light and growth then you can prune anytime of the year. You prune in the fall time when the plant is under natural sunlight. There is less light throughout the day so that means there is less energy the plant is producing.... So you may only get one stem instead of multiple branches if you prune in the fall
You can prune it or try the notching technique to stimulate inactive nodes. Hope this helps and only do this in the growing seasons of spring and summer for the best chance of success.
Will it work,if i prune it now...its fall season in India... its been 2years and still not showing any branch..only 1stem and the leaf keep on falling when they turn to dry like yellow and holes are always there..
I would only prune these when it is actively pushing out new growth. There is a better chance of multiple stems as the plant has enough energy to do so. If you prune it now it may only push out one branch....which in my opinion looks awkward. You can definitely try it now but it may grow slow
How long does it take for the branching to start? Cause I haven’t seeing any on mine since I pruned it. But the bottom leaves have become yellow and fall off
@@EverythingPlants I pruned it back in August I believe or end of July. It sits in front of a large south facing window. I just brought a grow light couple of days ago also to try to help it.
@@millenniallivingdiaries409 assuming you are in North America a south window is good if you have acclimated in to that window. They love bright light! Feel free to send a picture to my Instagram account to take a look at it.
Depends of course when you make the cut. I had really good success pruning in the spring time and that way it has all summer to focus on growth. I probably took a couple of weeks before I saw new growth popping through.
Is it possible for a new leaf to have holes in the leaf? I can't find any bugs anywhere on my plant!!! I've had three people look for bugs and we cant find any. Are there some sort of bugs that are not visible? Feeling devastated
Trauma and humidity are often issues according to this article. I have read alot from this source in the past. Lack of humidity This is especially problematic for new leaves as they unfurl and stretch out. If your fig isn’t getting enough humidity, your little buds can stick to themselves and tear as they grow. fiddleleaffigplant.com/fiddle-leaf-fig-leaves-have-holes/
@@EverythingPlants Hi thanks. We've had a heat wave here with high humidity and alot of steam from cooking in the house I cant imagine its dry air bit you never know. I do use a pebble tray is that enough?I will by a humidifier just in case.
@@tessafox1329 my FLF is in regular house humidity. I wouldn't stress too much about it. It gets pretty dry in the winter time (🇨🇦) and I just leave it alone. Just say those are fenestrated leaves hahaha
What if I have several stems in one pot, should I wait to repot my plant and separate all stems? I want to achieve what you have so far. Currently, mine looks like a bush.
You can seperate them if you want. Just remove as much of the soil as you can and untangle the roots. Depending on where you live most big box stores sell the single stem ones for a decent price. The fiddle leaf fig can be a bit temperamental so separating it might put it in a bit of a shock, but it can be done.
