my fiddle is making me nervous. i just moved into my apartment and, while i expected him to act finicky, he’s dropped several leaves. (i live in san francisco btw)
I plan to get a grow light and he seems to need more but i’d love to hear advice on repotting or chopping or notching? and if it is recommended to do any of the above, when should i?
by TensionThese4109
4 Comments
I don’t think u need a grow light if the pic u posted is where ur flf is.
First I would repot. If you’re in a 12” go to a 14”, if 14” go to 17” etc. I would highly recommend not skimping on the medium and go with a premium potting soil such as Fox Farms Ocean Forest. Make sure to water thoroughly and on a schedule. I drench mine once a week and make sure water is flowing all the way through the drainage hole. After this cut back as severely as you can bear. I would go all the way back to where the main Y is, but that’s only if you want to regrow all the leaves tight and full back to the trunk. If you modestly prune it’s going to leaf out where you cut it but never back to the interior leaving it kind of leggy and skeletal. Mine looked like this and I literally chopped off every branch a foot from the main trunk and it was the best thing I ever did. It took about a month but dozens of little leaf buds appeared and it was like a new tree. Pruning is like exfoliation to a tree. It will strengthen and thicken your branches and give it a chance to start over with all new growth. You will not hurt this way, it’s all about the roots.
Flf is tropical plant, they love sunlight..just move it closer to the window..
..You may shorten these two branches and remove some brown leaves
..and repot a pot that has a drainage hole
Also, the dropping leaves are due to underwatering. Whenever fiddles drop the interior (lowest and oldest) leaves it is trying to preserve life by letting everything go except the new growth. Yellowing and brown crispy edges also indicate low hydration.
Overwatering is more serious and is usually indicated by black spotting (necrosis) on newer growth. I think you will be fine, just figuring each other out.
Last thing is don’t forget to fertilize with a water soluble brand at least once a month. I use Jacks 20-20-20 but any “blue water” general houseplant formula will do. Some people will say to use half strength with every watering so you can experiment.