Encourage fiddle leaf fig to branch?

7 years ago

Hi! I have a small (24 inches from top of soil), single-trunk FLF. I’d eventually like it to look a little fuller, and prevent it from growing straight up forever and becoming really top-heavy (this happened to my last FLF, about 5 years ago). I don’t mind if it looks more like a bush than a tree. So, my idea was to notch it low on the trunk to encourage branching and fill it out a little bit.

Is this a good plan? Or is there a better one? If so, should I do it this summer or give it a year to grow and try next year in June?

Thanks so so much for any advice!

-Lindsay

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Comments (5)

lpiet86
Original Author
7 years ago
Picture :)
Jeanne Su
7 years ago
Hello! You’ll want to prune the top off completely to encourage branching. I’ve heard July is a good time to do this- middle of the growing season.
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lpiet86
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you Jeanne! I was afraid this would be the answer... I’m a little hesitant to chop it because I’m an amateur and I’m afraid I’ll ruin an otherwise beautiful plant. But I might have to risk it :) How far down would you suggest I prune?
Jeanne Su
7 years ago
Your fiddle is still small so you can prune just the tip growing shoot. If you want to propagate and get another whole new FLF though, wait to prune until your plant gets bigger and cut the trunk right under the top two full grown leaves. Then you can stick the top portion (trunk with two leaves) in soil with some rooting hormone and you’ll get a second FLF with luck! I’ve heard July is a good time so you’ll want to decide this July or next July! If you want a tree form, maybe waiting is better so you get a taller trunk before branches come out?
lpiet86
Original Author
7 years ago
I wasn’t planning on shaping it into a tree (although they look really nice!) I don’t mind the “bush” shape and I am little worried about it getting too heavy and falling over if it’s a tree (like I said, I’m an amateur). I’ll probably let it grow until July and then take your advice! Thanks again