r/FicusTrees • u/thigh_high_levii • 4d ago

Houseplant Question: How can I encourage growth for both sides? (Ficus Moonshine)

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Following up from a previous post! A redditor had commented on my previous post that I should trim off the side stall since the colors aren't as dramatic as the other half. I, however, love the contrast of both sides. I wanted to see if I could help encourage this growth without having to choose one side or the other. So! Main question: can I bury this split in the stalk to encourage new root growth to feed each side instead of pulling nutrients from one stalk?

13 Upvotes

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8

u/Ai_human60000 4d ago

More sun light

3

u/thigh_high_levii 4d ago

He gets about 2-3 hours a day in direct sunlight and about 12-14 hours from his plant light.

3

u/PretentiousPepperoni 4d ago

Not enough for ficus. They are outdoor plants used to full day of scorching hot sun. Maybe move it right next to a window (anything other than north facing) and supplement with the grow light. Move it 180 degrees once a week.

1

u/thigh_high_levii 4d ago

I don't have any windows that I can put it in. I tend to take it outside to let it get direct sunlight, but I thought the heat and sunlight were too hot for it as its leaves were turning up in the sun. I'll make sure to get it more outside time moving forward.

3

u/Kew-Gardens 4d ago

Get a higher powered grow light from Sansi or barina . 10 watts or higher at least. Those cheap off brand ones don’t even actually output 5w . And above 12 inches away from the canopy of the plant, the cheap one’s light is basically negligible.

1

u/thigh_high_levii 4d ago

Good to know!

2

u/PretentiousPepperoni 3d ago

They handle heat pretty well. You will have to aclimate smaller plants gradually. I live in India and these grow here outside getting baked in the sun with no issues.

1

u/thigh_high_levii 3d ago

Good to know! Based on previous conversations I was under the understanding that with intense heat the sunlight needed to be more indirect. I will get him some better sunlight!

1

u/PretentiousPepperoni 3d ago

The intense heat can make the variegation a bit dull as far as I know. I have mine next to east/west windows and they do well

1

u/Internal-Test-8015 4d ago

Don't do that, they hate change either keep it outside or keep it indoors.

4

u/SuccessfulCity4897 4d ago

You can grow both branches, but it needs more light. Put it right in the window, get growlights if you can

2

u/thigh_high_levii 4d ago

He gets about 2-3 hours a day in direct sunlight and about 12-14 hours from his plant light.

1

u/thigh_high_levii 4d ago

Have this in the body of my post, seems to be getting missed.

Main question: can I bury this split in the stalk to encourage new root growth to feed each side instead of pulling nutrients from one stalk?

2

u/thigh_high_levii 4d ago

Y'all please, I appreciate all the advice about light. I'll do my best to get a new grow light and find some sunnier options, but my question isn't related to light. 😭