#Figleaf training how to#

lyrata tends to grow in a columnar or bushy shape when kept as a houseplant, and that many growers like to encourage a classic tree shape, complete with a clearly defined canopy and trunk.į. Shaping Your Fiddle-Leaf FigĮarlier, I mentioned that F. If you simply need to prune a few dead or diseased leaves off of your plant here and there, just snip them off at the base with your pruners. If you cut too close to the trunk, you risk wounding the tissue in the branch collar, and a wounded collar can allow disease pathogens to get into the trunk.Ĭut too far away and the leftover branch may rot, potentially causing the branch collar to decay as well, which can also pave the way for infection. To prune lateral branches, make a cut just above the branch collar. Just take care not to prune more than 10 percent of the fiddle-leaf fig at any given time. Or maybe you need to trim lateral branches off because the foliage is overcrowded.īy removing a branch or two, you can promote better airflow between those gorgeous, enormous leaves, which can help you to avoid issues with pests and disease. You should be sure to rotate the planter every few days if you want to avoid having a lopsided plant, but alas, sometimes life happens and we forget to rotate our plants, and they end up leaning heavily to one side. lyrata is known for straining toward the light. Sometimes, you’ll need to cut lateral branches.į. Within a few weeks, expect to see new lateral branches growing from the node just below your cut. Make a diagonal cut right in between the two nodes, and wipe the sap away with a damp rag. lyrata tree that develop into leaves or branches. Nodes are slightly raised rings in the bark of an F. You’re looking for an internodal space, or a spot on the trunk that’s between two nodes. To make a cut, locate the area of the branch you want to trim. Depending on the shape of your plant, this may be the only branch the tree has. If you’re pruning to shorten an overly tall plant you’ll be working with the central trunk or stem. If you aren’t sure if you cleaned them after the last time you used them, go ahead and clean them with soap and hot water. It’s also important to use a sharp, clean pair of pruners. Wearing gloves and long sleeves is recommended. Make sure to keep the toxic latex away from your skin, and out of reach of children and animals.

#Figleaf training how to#

So, try not to get pruner-happy until springtime, and then you can give your plant a fresh trim for summer! How to Pruneīefore you get started, it’s a good idea to lay a few sheets of newspaper on the ground around your plant to protect the floors from fallen debris and the milky latex sap that will inevitably ooze out. These plants require at least six hours of bright daylight through a window, preferably one that faces south or east. Since it’s not growing actively during dormancy, the cuts won’t heal as quickly as they would in the spring or summer, with the return of that bright, filtered light it loves so much. This can lead to sickness – or even the death of your cherished houseplant. Pruning branches when the plant is enjoying its winter rest can stress it out, or even send it into shock. lyrata indoors, it may go dormant or semi-dormant in the winter when there’s less light. If you spot a leaf that looks yellow, brown, or diseased in some other way, trim it off with a clean, sharp pair of pruners.īut when it comes to pruning the actual branches, wait until growth resumes in the spring and summer. Trimming away these harbingers of sickness or infestation is better done sooner than later, in fact. You can remove a diseased or dead leaf at any time. First, let’s dive into the when and how of pruning your beloved F.

Fiddle-leaf figs are often sold as smallish, bushy or columnar houseplants with a single central stem, but many gardeners love cultivating theirs to create a tree-like shape. lyrata contributing to the decor in a stylish home.Īs long as it’s not pushing against your ceiling, that is.Īnother thing to consider is shape. But there’s nothing quite as awe-inspiring as a tall, healthy F. You can also grow a dwarf variety if you don’t want to care for a giant tree inside your house.