Removing them denies you one of the plant’s early alert systems. Remember, those lower leaves are HELPING that tree to become a tree-shape and should be left until the very last step of the shaping process.
Can I cut the top off my fig tree?
Cut off the top of the newly planted fig tree about 24 inches from the soil. Act in late winter or early spring before the first buds appear. Trim all remaining branches back to 6 inches.
What does notching a fiddle leaf fig do?
Notching is a method of encouraging a Fiddle Leaf Fig to branch that doesn’t involve removing any height off the plant. Instead, small cuts or ‘notches’ are made up and down the stem or trunk to encourage new growth to form further down the plant.
How do you get multiple branches on a fiddle leaf fig?
But in order for the Fiddle Leaf Fig to grow multiple branches, we need to prune at about 18″ or more from the top of the stem to get to the woody part. When we cut a stem at a lower woody point, buds form much slower than they do at the top green part of the plant.
What do I do if my fiddle leaf fig is too tall?
Plants look best when their top leaves are at least 8 to 10 inches below the ceiling, so you will want to remove any growth above that height. By pruning your plant to keep it from getting too tall, you’ll create a stronger and more compact plant.
Why is my fiddle leaf tall and skinny?
A fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus Lyrata) with leggy or unstable growth usually indicates inadequate light. A healthy and happy fiddle leaf fig requires a lot of light. When the plant doesn’t get enough light, it starts becoming leggy.
Why is my fig tree so leggy?
Answer. A fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) with leggy or unstable growth usually indicates inadequate light. The entire plant may grow tall and weak, with a frail trunk. Leaves may be spaced far apart on long branches or this may happen only to the lower branches if they are blocked from sunlight.
Should you rotate a fiddle leaf fig?
Don’t move your fiddle leaf fig tree, but rotate it often. Since fiddle leaf figs tend to grow toward sunlight, rotating your planter once a month can help your plant grow more evenly and keep it from bending on different sides.
Why does my fiddle leaf fig have multiple trunks?
Whenever we prune or trim back the fiddle-leaf it will grow extra stems in that place. This is nature’s way of ensuring that the plant continues to grow and also gets enough food to keep it growing well. If you have recently bought a fiddle-leaf fig, you may also see that there is more than one stem.
When should I prune my fig tree?
Figs are best pruned in March or April after the worst frosts have passed, all dead and diseased wood should be removed. ‘ says Sue Sanderson of Thompson & Morgan. This way the frosts will not be able to cause damage to the wounds left by pruning but the plant will still be dormant enough to cope with the pruning.
