Pinching/Pruning Recommendations for Fiddle Leaf Fig

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

My fiddle leaf fig is in need of some radical pinching, but I'm nervous to make the wrong cuts! I've had him for exactly 2 years (about 5ft high when purchased) and, while I've trimmed him back over time in order to avoid hitting my apartment's 8ft ceiling, I've not been strategic with my cuts -- thus resulting in a very lopsided shape. (At first, the wishbone-like Y-shape was charming but now he looks like a demogorgon!) I have south-facing sun and am located in the northeast corridor of the US so, with fall upon us, I realize my window of opportunity to make radical cuts is quickly closing (if not already closed).

My goals are to (a) immediately correct the parallel-growing branch and to (b) promote growth and have a long-term branching strategy, so that he will eventually grow into a densely-branched tree shape. I've read responses from @tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a) and would love your expertise! Below are labeled photos and I can answer any questions/provide additional information as well. Thank you, Houzz community!

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Comments (4)

Victoria Bagden
Original Author
6 years ago
Hi there! Would love some feedback from the Houzz community (ideally from @tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a), if possible!!) I care a great deal about my FLF and I'd love to move forward with making the appropriate cuts. Thank you!
Chloé
6 years ago
Hi,

I’m not much help as 2 FLF’s haven’t survived in my hands but I’m just here to say *wow*! What a beautiful tree! I kinda like the wandering branches haha.

I love the info and effort you’ve put into this post, I’m sure it’s well and truly in good hands no matter what you end up doing.

Hope you get some answers soon!

Chloé
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Victoria Bagden
Original Author
6 years ago
Hi Chloé, thanks for the nice note! Appreciate the good karma! –Victoria
Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
6 years ago
Well, I don't know where you live, but if in the Northern hemisphere, we're moving toward winter and shorter days. You plant will only get more dense with much more light. You're growing yours indoors (all year, I assume), so it will naturally become leggy and elongated. I'd leave it for now, unless you want to do a temporary cut back of maybe a foot or two of the longest growths.

These are tough plants. If you really want a dense plant and if you can put it outdoors for the summer, chop it down next early summer to about 1 to 2 feet above soil line, then set it in shade to part shade for the summer. It will put out lots of new branches and by summer's end you will not recognize the plant. Of course, when you bring it inside again in the fall, it may very well drop some leaves.