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Pruning/Balancing Fiddle Leaf Fig

7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago

I thank any and all help in advance - details and questions below images.















Details:

-- Gifted a FLF from a neighbor who moved to another country. FLF was just repotted last month in adequately draining/appropriate soil based on my research from other forums on this site. Neighbor said he did trim the roots but unsure if he did it accurately.

-- FLF shouldn't have been repotted given timing of year and overall health of plant - see images.

-- Leaves are now dropping, and plant is top heavy - needing securing with a bamboo stick. Latest leaves that have dropped are turning uniformly yellow, stems feel soft and weak, then they drop. Other leaves have dark brown on the edges.

-- I've watered twice since receiving the FLF based on using a wooden dowel to see when the plant was dry at the bottom. No fertilizer because I read not to feed until new growth shows following a repot.

-- FLF has three branches with a leader, mid, and shorter branch - see images. Neighbor also said the leaves on the top of the middle branch haven't grown in months. The middle branch's bud also looks like it's been damaged.

--Lighting: FLF is in front of a non-drafty, bright window that gets morning to dusk sun. If the weather is above 60F, I roll the FLF outside on the covered porch and place in position to get bright indirect light on all sides.

Questions:

-- Do I prune the top of the plant now to try and stimulate faster root growth and preserve energy despite it not being June? With the rate leaves are falling I'm concerned something should be done sooner, but will look to group advice here.

-- If and/or when I prune, so many leaves have brown on the edges. I've read that I should prune down to the last two leaves, but can anyone clarify if they need to be 100% healthiest leaves, without any browning?

-- Best overall course of action? I'm assuming repot come June, properly trim roots, and prune back branches at that time?

-- Neighbor also gave me leaves (just leaves no stem) from the FLF that rooted in water and that he also put in the same soil mix. It was my understanding that a FLF leaf won't grow into a tree, is that accurate? If so, is it safe to assume it won't grow into anything and I could pitch it?

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