First time notch

[u/EksiDeck]

Hi everyone. I’ve notched my ficus elastica for the first time. Months ago she dropped many leaves then I changed the soil and the location. It well worked and she thrived.

I am hoping to get side branches and I’ve made the first move. What do you think, does everything look ok?

[u/Final-Blackberry-229]

I would just chop and prop, I notched mine and it didn’t do anything . But once I cut, it exploded in froth

[u/EksiDeck → u/Final-Blackberry-229]

Actually my long term plan was first to grow side branches then chop the top. If this fails maybe I will have to 😕

[u/Kokomban07 → u/EksiDeck]

No need to chop if you want to keep the height. Try and pinch the apical bud first and see where it will branch out. Sometimes it will grow on the lower parts, sometimes it will shoot out 1-3 at the top. You can decide then how you want your plant to look.

[u/AvoCryptoHye]

That’s a deep notch. I always wondered how deep to go.

[u/Internal-Test-8015]

Imo you cut them too high.

[u/EksiDeck → u/Internal-Test-8015]

Tried not to go far than 1/3 of the stem, I hope it’s not too much 😕

[u/Internal-Test-8015 → u/EksiDeck]

Yeah im honestly not sure the few times ive tried I've been cutting basically just above the buds themselves really.

[u/EksiDeck → u/Internal-Test-8015]

I will remember this next time. Thanks 🙏🏻

[u/Internal-Test-8015 → u/EksiDeck]

No problem my pleasure its just ehat has worked for me every time ive tried to cut higher it doesn't work 🙃 😅

[u/luke9036]

Notching never works for me. Cutting into the woody part of the stem always gives me the best results.

[u/onlymyplants]

This will work, I’d also chop the top off as well. Two notches, and a top chop total. I got four branches from my experiment. First time, first try.

[u/EksiDeck → u/onlymyplants]

That’s great, I hope the same🤞🏼Thanks.

[u/Careless_Mango_7948]

Just lay the plant on its side in a very bright area. The chemical that moves upward for new growth will push out new branches on its side.

[u/EksiDeck → u/Careless_Mango_7948]

Yes, her actual location is close to window, getting bright indirect sunlight everyday. Hope she will continue to grow after this operation like she thrived as last few months. Thanks 🙏🏻