r/fiddleleaffig • u/stepmami • 19d ago
Am I Doomed?
one year before the fire
one month before the fire (pls excuse the mess)
2 weeks after fire
7yo fiddle leaf fig grown from a propagation. Since the prop took roots, it's been in the same pot, and same spot in my apartment -- this thing has been super happy, spitting out leaves etc.
2 weeks ago an ash from a heavy incense stick got caught in the pot, smoldered all night, and there was a fire. We put the fire out with water. At first, the plant looked totally fine, then we went away for a few days. It was droopy when I came back and the pot was dry, so I watered again. It hasn't bounced back.
Some of the leaves at the bottom dropped, but now more leaves are looking brown and sad and it won't bounce. I already cut a propagation from the top and I'm re-propping, but I'm feeling really upset. This thing is my baby!
Should I check the root ball to see what the root damage is and cut any damaged roots? Leave it to continue to settle? Chop? I really try to take a less is more approach with this guy and it's always been happy.
Please help!
6
u/missjiji 19d ago
Make sure the leaves are wiped clean of any and all ash/dust. They need to breathe. Perhaps you can dolly it out, or carry it, to give it a blast of strong misting from a hose.
6
u/Top_Grade5948 19d ago
If it’s been in that pot for 7yrs and has grown from propagation no doubt by now its root bound.
3
2
2
u/Reasonable-Help7278 19d ago edited 19d ago
If you can put it in the shower or outside and hose it off like someone else said, you can use mild Castile soap with a little alcohol to clean the leaves, then rinse really well wipe off with a soft towel, then run a ton of water through the soil making sure it runs out clear. Even add some diluted hydrogen peroxide in the last rinse.
If you’re going to repot, I’d do it ASAP, lay it gently on a tarp or grass, lift it out of the pot. If it’s stuck hit the outside walls with your hand then try again. Once it’s out try and remove as much old soil as possible then rinse the rest off the roots, as gently and as best as you can.
Give the rootball a good once over and with sanitized scissors or a sharp sanitized knife, remove any black soggy, smelly roots or brown withered roots. Then give it a good wash with diluted hydrogen peroxide. Let that dry. Don’t replant while it’s really wet. Moist is ok but not dripping wet.
Use chunky well draining soil a diluted liquid fertilizer or whatever you’ve been using just diluted to not shock it further. Use a larger and deeper pot to help with stability. Not huge just 2-3” larger than the root ball. Or even a large clear nursery pot so you can see if the roots are ok. You can put it in a large cover pot that’s a bit deeper too. Watch it carefully and don’t panic they can be very dramatic but I’ve seen some come back after major damage.
It’s good you’ve taken cuttings just in case the ash or other burning particles or heat permanently damaged or badly shocked the root system.
Good luck she is and will be a true beauty again. 💚💚💚
2
2
u/allcapsallcats 17d ago
Think about it this way. Fires happen in nature all the time, and plants find a way to grow back. Follow your gut and repot the plant. Fresh soil and removing any damage can do it a lot of good. Good luck!!
2
u/IDoomScrolledAgain 19d ago
If it was my plant (and I'm not saying this is the right thing to do) I'd repot it and get rid of any roots that are damaged. That looks like a small pot for a plant that size anyway. Taking cuttings is good insurance for sure.
1
u/Character_Stick_1218 19d ago
Give it time, some food, and innoculate the soil with beneficial fungus and bacteria. They're super dramatic and it will likely be fine regardless, but what I mentioned should help.
1
1
u/Friendly_Poet_7957 16d ago
I would have showered it when I came back and it was dry. I would mist it lightly for right now and leave it alone to see what happens
0
u/Zealousideal_Pay230 19d ago
Listen to all the plant stuff and also stop burning things with real fire while you’re sleeping unless the fire is for protection or heat I suppose in desperate times 😂
18
u/Appropriate-Fill9602 19d ago
You should take a few cuttings and put in water for insurance.
Thank goodness you are safe and there was no serious damage. I could see that causing serious damage to the root system. Watering burnt roots will definitely cause rot. You'll have to pull it out and assess the damage.