- How to branch a fiddle fig
- Caution: the violin fig is slightly poisonous
- Why does the fiddler fig lose its lower leaves?
Fiddlehead figs have become very popular houseplants in recent years. Unfortunately, the plant often loses its leaves at the bottom and then looks quite bare. By branching the violin fig, you achieve that the tree looks bushier and more impressive overall.
Fiddlestick figs tend to grow unbranched
How to branch a fiddle fig
Branching a fiddle fig is very easy. All you have to do is cut off the tip of a shoot. Approaches then develop in the upper area, from which new shoots grow. As a result, the crown of the tree appears much bushier over the course of the year.
The best time to branch a fiddlehead fig is early spring. Then the growth phase begins and the violin fig can put a lot of energy into the formation of new branches.
Use very sharp knives that you have previously cleaned for cutting. If the blades are blunt, the shoots will tear, giving germs and bacteria access. Unclean knives can also transmit diseases and pests to the violin fig.
Caution: the violin fig is slightly poisonous
Once you've trimmed the fiddle fig, discard the tips immediately and don't just leave them lying around. The milky sap contained in shoots and leaves is slightly poisonous. This can pose a risk of poisoning for small children and very curious pets.
The shoot tips can also be used to pull new offshoots from the violin fig.
Wash your hands carefully after the care or better yet, wear gloves.
Why does the fiddler fig lose its lower leaves?
The fact that violin figs lose their lower leaves is not only due to a lack of care or an unfavorable location. In most cases, leaf shedding can hardly be prevented if the violin fig is cultivated indoors.
The lower leaves no longer grow back. Branching occurs at the lower end of the tree only rarely.
So that the violin fig doesn't look so bare, simply plant an offshoot or two next to the trunk. Since fiddlestick figs don't grow that large overall, you don't even need a much larger bucket for them.
tips
Fiddlehead figs prefer a very bright location where it is quite warm, especially near the ground. Rooms with underfloor heating are therefore ideal as long as the humidity is high enough.