Share tips about the way to take care of fiddle leaf fig timber, how usually you water, how a lot water you may have, how a lot daylight you may have, and all of these essential questions!
Meet Frida Kahlo. She is our attractive fiddle leaf fig plant that greets everybody who steps into our house.
Frida receives so many compliments each in actual life and on-line. I’m usually requested about the way to take care of a majority of these crops.
I used to be as soon as a infamous plant killer and killed a number of indoor crops, so I hesitated to put in writing this submit. Over the previous few years, I lastly discovered a groove. And whereas I am fairly assured in my routine, I am nonetheless terrified of jinxes at something.
As quickly as I publish this submit, I can not assist however be afraid that Frida leaves will begin to recoil and explode into flames. However I am going for that.
Discover some useful suggestions right here and my fellow fiddle leaf fans. Share your prime suggestions within the feedback.
What’s a fiddle leaf fig tree?
The fiddle leaf fig plant is also referred to as the ficus srirata. They’re tropical timber which might be fairly often carried out outdoor in medium humid environments.
Over the previous decade or so, they’ve been gaining recognition. Fiddle Leaf Figs are typically posts on Grace Journal Covers, Instagram and Pinterest.
It’s a lovely houseplant that may add to the aesthetic enchantment of your area and could be a gorgeous architectural assertion in your house. Additionally it is well-known for being a difficult decorative plant that can give it an impression on ornament and preserve it alive.
On this submit, I share trial and examined tips about the way to take care of fiddle leaf fig timber and repaint them, discover time to thrive lush, wholesome and prosper, and thrive for a very long time.
Find out how to take care of fiddle leaf fig timber
Correct placement and lighting necessities
The important thing to fiddle leaf figs, tropical crops and home crops is to discover a place in your house that can make you content and get loads of mild. Sometimes, it is a north or south going through window that may get a number of daylight. These crops additionally are inclined to work nicely in areas with excessive ceilings, skylights and huge home windows. Should you reside in a brilliant space, you need to use Develop Gentle. I am within the Fiddle Leaf Fb group (obsessed), and plenty of of my members use plant cultivation lights. Check out this space and ensure there aren’t any ac holes which might be blown instantly into the crops.
The solar is an effective factor, however watch out of the recent solar and robust direct daylight on the crops, as it will possibly trigger sunburn. There’s one other fiddle leaf, Fred, forgotten exterior and tanned. He had brown spots for fairly a while, however he lastly recovered. Often brilliant and oblique mild is finest. Lighting circumstances make all of the distinction.
Watering
OK, there are fairly a couple of methods right here: cup technique (watering a bit continuously) or extra continuously (watering about as soon as every week). I discovered that the cup technique did not work for me. She was dropping the leaves like loopy, and I used to be strolling across the crops making an attempt to determine what the hell was happening. Sport Changer: Water Meter! I ordered this from Amazon and checked her water each 7-10 days. Water the crops solely when the soil is dry and the meter reaches moisture degree 2 or 3, then I then soak it. Use 4 giant measuring bowls crammed with filtered water to soak the soil. (Frida prefers water filtered from the fridge quite than from the fridge. The degrees right here in Tucson had been too acidic and had an impression on the leaves.)
Use a water meter or chopsticks to drill holes within the soil earlier than watering. Don’t fret about not disturbing the roots. This helps to oxygenate the soil and water and circulate extra freely. rule of thumb for the quantity of water used: water from when the water leaves the drain gap till it’s left in place till it’s left in place.
Observe: Fiddle Leaf Figs love rain and really feel that rainwater is significantly better in crops than in water. Name me loopy, however they react otherwise. If it rains, drag the sturdy crops exterior!
Potting medium
Tip: Earlier than potting the fiddle leaf figs, put them within the pot from the nursery within the space of the home the place they reside. This manner, you’ll have time to adapt to the lighting and atmosphere earlier than additional impacting the plant. For potted soil, use one thing to permit the water to circulate as a substitute of maintaining it. They promote particular soil for fiddle leaf figs and I do know many individuals who’ve success in cactus/juicy soil. I used miraculous development soil and it labored. Test along with your nursery to see the potting combine really useful to your local weather.
When making fiddle leaf figs right into a pot, you do not want an enormous pot, as the foundation system doesn’t require a considerable amount of room to increase. They really get higher when they’re barely tied up, and plenty of fiddle leaf figs work nicely within the first pot from nursery. I select a pot round that measurement or improve it a bit. Essential: Ensure that the pot has drain holes in order that water can circulate simply. Additionally, I like to put small rocks on the backside of the pot earlier than including crops and soil, so the water can simply transfer and forestall root rot.
Fertilization
If the soil is wholesome and the crops are thriving, don’t fertilize the crops. If you end up needing a bit increase, I like this fertilizer combined with filtered water. (I ended utilizing it as a result of it was too acidic within the water within the sink, inflicting issues.) 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.
Common upkeep
fog! As talked about earlier than, FLF loves humid environments and thrives at a bit humidity. Should you reside in a dry local weather, mist can have a constructive impact on the leaves. You may place the humidifier down close to the plant or typically mist along with your fingers. I take advantage of this Mr from Amazon and simply mist the leaves when watering (as soon as each 7-12 days). I mist the leaves after which wipe off the mud with a paper towel. On this approach, dusty leaves don’t intrude with their capacity to get uncovered to daylight.
Weak trunk: I’ve heard that each few days folks gently shake the trunk of a tree. That is to stimulate robust winds and promote stronger trunks. I have not completed this for Frida, however I would do this for Fred.
Enjoyable be aware: Fiddle leaf figs are as excessive because the ceiling permits. Our ceiling is 30 ft tall. I hope she grows to this huge extent.
Repotting
I’ve discovered it finest to go away these crops alone, so I like to recommend reposting them provided that completely needed. (It could possibly trigger stress on the crops, and we do not wish to be stressed on them!) Some websites suggest peeling off each 2-3 years to get recent vitamins from the soil, but when the plant is completely satisfied, go away it alone. Some indicators you may wish to insert: the soil is pulled away from the sides and you may see many roots, bacterial infections (with a number of brown spots on the leaves), or root rot. By ensuring there’s loads of drainage and avoiding water drainage, you possibly can keep away from root rot.
If repainting is required, shake off extra soil from the roots and prunes the sides of the overgrown roots. (It is like giving a haircut.) Should you see mushy roots, trim these as nicely. Place in a pot with a couple of inches of soil and loads of recent, recent soil and water.
OK, associates! That is all I’ve for YA. I am going to add extra to this submit as I provide you with some new suggestions.
Do you may have a child plant? Are there any nice suggestions you have realized over time? Share all of your fiddle leaf fig care suggestions!
xo
Gina
