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Sharing recommendations on deal with a fiddle leaf fig tree, how usually to water it, how a lot water, how a lot daylight, all of these vital questions!
Meet Frida Kahlo. She’s our attractive fiddle leaf fig plant that greets everybody who walks into our dwelling.
Frida receives SO many compliments each in actual life and on-line, and I usually get questions on deal with the following tips for vegetation.
I hesitated to write down this submit as a result of I was a infamous plant killer. Over the previous handful of years, I’ve FINALLY discovered my groove, and whereas I really feel fairly assured about my routine, I’m nonetheless scared to jinx something.
I can’t assist however worry that as SOON as I publish this submit, Frida’s leaves begin to recoil and burst into flames. However I’m going to go for it.
I hope you discover some useful suggestions right here and my fellow fiddle leaf lovers, please share your high suggestions within the feedback.
What Is A Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree
A fiddle leaf fig plant can also be known as a Ficus lyrata. They’re tropical timber that do extraordinarily nicely open air in reasonable and humid environments.
Over the previous 10 years or so, they’ve surged in reputation. Fiddle leaf figs generally grace journal covers, Instagram, and Pinterest posts.
It’s a lovely houseplant that may add to the aesthetic enchantment of your house and could be a gorgeous, architectural assertion in your house. It makes a decor influence and can also be infamous for being a difficult houseplant to maintain alive.
On this submit, I’m sharing tried and examined recommendations on deal with a fiddle-leaf fig tree, discover time to repot it, and preserve it wanting lush, wholesome, and thriving for a very long time.
How To Take Care Of A Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree
Correct Placement and Lighting Necessities
The important thing with fiddle leaf figs, tropical vegetation, and home vegetation is to discover a place in your house the place they’ll be pleased. Often, this can be a north or south-facing window, the place it will possibly get plenty of daylight. These vegetation additionally are inclined to do nicely in areas with excessive ceilings, skylights, and enormous home windows. Should you stay in an space that’s not well-lit, you need to use a grow light. I’m in a fiddle leaf Fb group (obsessed) and lots of members use develop lights on their vegetation. Have a look across the space and be sure you don’t have AC vents that will likely be blowing straight on the plant.
Whereas the solar is an effective factor, be careful for an excessive amount of sizzling solar on the plant as a result of it will possibly trigger sunburn. We’ve one other fiddle leaf, Fred, who was forgotten outdoors and was sunburned. He had brown spots for fairly some time however has lastly recovered. Vibrant, oblique mild is often greatest. Lightening circumstances make all of the distinction.
Watering
Okay, so there are fairly a number of strategies right here: the cup methodology (watering a small quantity often) or the extra rare methodology (LOTS of watering about as soon as per week). I discovered that the cup methodology did NOT work for me. She was dropping leaves like loopy and I used to be pacing across the plant, attempting to determine what the heck was taking place. A sport changer: the water meter! I ordered this from Amazon and checked her water each 7-10 days. I ONLY water the plant when the soil dries and the meter reaches a moisture degree 2 or 3, after which I soak the heck out of it. I’ll use 4 giant measuring bowls filled with filtered water and drench the soil. (Frida prefers filtered water from the fridge and never from the sink. Our ranges right here in Tucson are too acidic and it was affecting her leaves.)
Earlier than watering, use the water meter or a chopstick to poke holes within the soil – don’t fear it won’t disturb the roots. This can assist to oxygenate the soil and the water to stream by way of extra freely. rule of thumb for the quantity of water to make use of: water till it begins to come back out of the drainage holes after which go away it alone.
A word: fiddle leaf figs LOVE rain and I really feel like rainwater is so a lot better for vegetation than sink water. Name me loopy, however they reply in another way. If it rains, drag your sturdier vegetation outdoors!
Potting Medium
Tip: earlier than you pot your fiddle leaf fig, preserve it within the pot from the nursery within the space of your home the place it would stay. This manner, it will possibly have time to regulate to the lighting and surroundings earlier than you additional shock the plant by repotting. For potting soil, just remember to use one thing that allows water to stream by way of as an alternative of holding the water, which may trigger root rot. They promote particular soil for fiddle leaf figs, and I do know many who’ve had good luck with cactus/succulent soil. I used Miracle Develop potting soil and it labored nicely. Verify along with your nursery to see what potting combine they suggest to your local weather.
Whenever you pot the fiddle leaf fig, you don’t want an unlimited pot as the basis system doesn’t want a ton of room to increase. They really do higher after they’re barely certain, and lots of fiddle leaf figs do nicely within the preliminary pot from the nursery. I’d select a pot round that dimension, or barely larger. Necessary: ensure that the pot has a drainage gap so the water can simply stream by way of. I additionally prefer to put small rocks on the backside of a pot earlier than including the plant and soil, so water can simply transfer by way of and stop root rot.
Fertilizing
You don’t *have* to fertilize your plant if the soil is wholesome and the plant is prospering. Should you discover that it wants a little bit increase, I like this fertilizer combined with filtered water. (It was too acidic with our sink water and brought about issues, so I finished utilizing it.) Should you select to make use of fertilizer, do that twice a yr: as soon as in the summertime and as soon as within the winter.
Routine Upkeep
Misting! As I discussed earlier than, FLFs love humid environments. Should you stay in a dry local weather, misting could make a optimistic influence on the leaves. You possibly can place a humidifier on low near your plant, or sometimes mist by hand. I use this mister from Amazon and solely mist the leaves once I water (as soon as each 7-12 days). I mist the leaves after which wipe off any mud with a paper towel. This manner, dusty leaves don’t hinder the power to get daylight.
Weak trunks: I’ve heard of individuals gently shaking their tree’s trunks each few days, particularly in the event that they’re weaker/smaller. That is to stimulate the excessive winds and encourage a stronger trunk. I haven’t completed this for Frida, however might do that for Fred.
Enjoyable word: fiddle leaf figs will develop as excessive as their ceiling permits. Our ceilings are 30 ft tall, and I HOPE SHE GROWS THIS HUGE with all my coronary heart.
Repotting
I’ve discovered that these vegetation are greatest left alone, so I’d solely suggest repotting if completely mandatory. (It will possibly trigger stress for the vegetation and we don’t need to stress them out!) Some websites suggest repotting each 2-3 years to get contemporary vitamins from the soil, however I really feel like if the plant is pleased, go away it alone haha. Some indicators you may need to repot: the soil is pulling away from the perimeters and you’ll see plenty of roots, a bacterial an infection (plenty of brown spots on the leaves), or root rot. You possibly can keep away from root rot by ensuring there’s plenty of drainage and avoiding overwatering.
If it’s worthwhile to repot, shake off the surplus soil from the roots, and trim away any of the roots’ ends which are overgrown. (It’s like giving it a haircut.) Should you see any mushy roots, trim these off too. Place right into a pot with a number of inches of soil, encompass with plenty of contemporary new soil, and water.
Okay, mates! That’s all I’ve received for ya, and I’ll add extra to this submit as I consider new suggestions.
Do you could have plant infants? Any nice suggestions you’ve discovered over time? Please share the entire fiddle leaf fig care suggestions with us!
xo
Gina
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