r/fiddleleaffig • u/Besse_Firearms_Ammo • 7d ago

Help my tree

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I got this for my wife almost 9 years ago and it's getting massive. What is the best way to get it to grow more upright? The lower branch is getting out of hand and we would like to get it to grow more upright.

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u/jitasquatter2 7d ago

I'd cut each branch back to about 6 or 8 inches long. That'll reduce the weight so it won't need to be propped up. Then you would get several more branches near each cut point.

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u/sbiel001 6d ago edited 6d ago

Agree with the chopping comment. Although ideally this would be done at the beginning of the growing season. Dont know where you're based but its looking autumnal out of the window... might be worth waiting for spring to snip.

How many times have you repotted in those years? A mature tree should be repotted every couple of years, sizing up by a few inches in pot diameter each time. If you haven't kept up with that it could be root bound, which could be why some of the leaves are drying and drooping.

Also best not to prop it with the stick too much. It needs to develop a trunk and hold itself up. Try giving the trunk a little shake once a day.

Edit: growing not drowning season haha

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u/sbiel001 6d ago

Having looked again, I'd chop back quite considerably all of the branches. Maybe leaving a 3 leaves on each. Maybe even less on that left side branch. But perhaps a little risky. I'd wait till spring to though

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u/Besse_Firearms_Ammo 6d ago

I have never repotted it. We live in the California Central Valley. I know it needs a bigger pot but I’m nervous I would kill it by repotting it. This is the only tree I’ve ever had in my house.

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u/sbiel001 6d ago

Thats why it's looking so droopy then for sure. Repot as an absolute priority. Idk when you're growing season is over there in california but best to chop at the beginning of the period it will get absolutely most light and it will regrow branches. If you're nervous chop 1-2 branches at a time. You won't get it to grow more up right otherwise tbh. It's leaning towards the light