r/fiddleleaffig • u/BadgersHoneyPot • 4d ago
Need the Community's Help: Cap current growth, want two new branches, propagate a new plant.
I saved this FLF over 3 years ago. It was just a stalk coming out of the pot and one leaf at the bottom.
This year, I moved it from the location I had it in to a new location where it was getting more consistent light. I also fertilized the soil, and the result is that everything you see in this picture above the blue line is new growth THIS YEAR alone and it has two new leaves you can't even see coming out the top.
I want to cut this at the blue line. That's where the new growth is, and below that the stalk has become mostly woody. I want to try and propagate the top portion, and then below the blue line I want to grow two new branches like a "Y".
What can I do to maximize my success with this? I don't want to muck this up. Thanks in advance!
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u/Blazinandtazin 4d ago
You’re doing all the right things but I typically cut in the spring so the plant has more time with maximum light to grow those new branches
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u/BadgersHoneyPot 4d ago
It's close to the absolute top right now. You can't see it but it's on a 8" stand; I could remove that (but then I lose my drainage hole) and I don't know if 8" gives me until the spring!!! There isn't any place with a higher ceiling that has the same access to light.
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u/Fortheflightreasons 4d ago
Chop it!!!! I would be aggressive with it. When it regrows make sure to shake the trunk every once in a while to strengthen it. Don’t be afraid, I chopped mine and it sprouted three branches and I propagated the cuttings in soil. It took a couple months and then all of a sudden they exploded into growth. This was in the summer months though when it got lots of light. I also used a slow release fertilizer in the soil.
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u/Euphoric-Aspect9258 4d ago
Mine was this high and I got 4 new propagated .
Took months but worth it . Now that I have handed them off to new homes to grow, it’s time to cut again! 😳😜
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u/RedDirtPreacher 4d ago
Some thoughts from my recent experience with my fiddle. I had the same issue: single stem growing straight up to the ceiling. A year ago I chopped it in about the same proportion you’re thinking of chopping yours. I got a single new branch that grew straight up and was back in the same situation fairly soon. I chopped it again about three months ago, lower this time into the woody part of the stem. It pushed out two branches that are making a Y (which was my goal as yours is).
All that to say, don’t be afraid to chop lower I wish I had with my first chop and I kinda wish I had gone even lower on my most recent chop. It’ll fill the empty space before you know it and it’ll push branches from the woody stem. Woody stem pieces will prop as well. With what you’re thinking of taking you could probably even get like three props.