Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)

Thanks to the Internet and globalization, nowadays it is relatively easy to get plants from other countries. One of the exotic evergreen trees that we can get is the ficus lyrata. Although it is very sensitive to cold, it is one that has a somewhat slower growth than other species of the genus, and since it does not grow much, it is often enjoyed in a pot.

It is a plant that I personally love, since it is not very demanding considering its origin, which is West Africa. What I want to say is, although it is very sensitive to cold, you have the option of keeping it outside for much of the year, since the lowest temperature it supports is 10ºC.

How is he ficus lyrata?

El ficus lyrata It is a tree known by the name of fiddle leaf fig tree, since its leaves have that shape. As I said, it is originally from West Africa, where it lives in the tropical forest. In its natural habitat, it can start its life as an epiphyte, germinating on the branch of a tree and ending up strangling it as its own roots get bigger and stronger. Now also it can do it as a solitary tree, in which case it will reach 15 meters in height.

If we talk about the leaves, over time they can measure about 40 centimeters long by 30 centimeters wide.. The margin is wavy, and the main veins are visible to the naked eye. These also have a leathery texture.

In temperate climates, since it is kept indoors, it is difficult for it to flower and, therefore, to bear fruit. However, in warm climates without frost, it produces fruits, which are green children that measure about 3 centimeters in diameter.

where to put the ficus lyrata?

The fiddle leaf fig tree needs a lot of light, just like the others Rubber plant. It is a tree that will not develop well in shady places or indoors where there is little light. In fact, this could perhaps be one of the few drawbacks that it has: that, yes or yes, it has to be in an area where the sun's rays can enter without difficulty.

But beware: this does not mean that it has to be outdoors. Of course, it would be the best, but as long as there were no frosts. Otherwise, we will have to bring it home, where we will find a room with windows through which light enters and where there are no fans or other devices that generate drafts.

How to care for the plant ficus lyrata?

Turning now to its care, if you plan to buy one, or if you have already done so but you do not know how to water it or if you have to change its pot, now I will tell you what you need to know so that your plant is well:

Irrigation

The fiddle leaf fig tree needs to be watered from time to time. It does not like drought at all, so it is important that it is watered every so often. It would not be correct if I told you »water it every 2 days» for example, because the frequency of irrigation will depend a lot on the climate in your area, and if you have it outside or inside.

For this, I prefer to recommend that you check the humidity of the soil before watering. You can do this very simply and quickly. You simply need a wooden stick, which you will insert to the bottom of the pot. Then, when you take it out, you will see if it is practically clean (in which case you would have to water it), or if, on the contrary, it is full of soil.

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It is highly advisable to pay at ficus lyrata during the months that the good weather lasts. You have to think that the more it can grow, the stronger it will get to winter and, therefore, the more chances it will have to get through it without any problem. In fact, if it's brought indoors in the fall, a little before the cold sets in, it may continue to grow indoors for a few more weeks.

For this reason, it must be paid with a quick-efficiency fertilizer, such as guano (for sale here) for instance. Others that are also interesting are the universal fertilizer, or the one for green plants (for sale here). However, they must be applied as indicated on the package.

Transplant

In general, the plants that we buy in the nursery usually need an urgent change of pot, because they spend months -some even years- growing in that same container, and when we finally acquire them, their roots have already run out of space. Therefore, the first thing we have to do is see if these come out of the drainage holes. In the event that they do not come out, I also advise doing the following to make sure:

1. With one hand, we will take the ficus lyrata by the base of the trunk.
2. With the other, we will take the pot.
3. Then, we pull the pot out, holding the plant which does not have to come out of the container at all. Simply, we have to see if the root ball comes out whole or if, on the contrary, it begins to crumble. In the first case we will change the pot; in the second you will have to wait a bit.

As a substrate we will put any of these: coconut fiber; universal substrate (for sale here) mixed with 30% perlite; mulch mixed with 40% perlite or substrate for green plants.

Why do the leaves fall off? ficus lyrata?

If your ficus leaves are beginning to drop, it may be due to any of these reasons:

• Insufficient light: when placed in an area where there is little light, the leaves lose color and end up falling. It is important that you change places.
• Air currents: If you are in a room where there is an air conditioner, fans or the like, the leaves will also suffer a lot because the air humidity drops considerably. Therefore, in these situations you have to look for another area.
• Low ambient humidity: This may or may not be related to the above. If you are in a place where the humidity of the air is less than 50%, the leaves of the ficus lyrata they will dry To avoid this, you have to spray them every day with water.
• Lack of water: If the leaves start by turning yellow and then brown, they will eventually drop. But to know if he is thirsty, you have to check the humidity of the earth: if it is dry, then you have to water conscientiously. Submerge the pot in water and keep it there for a few minutes.
• Excess of water: when it is drowning, the leaves also turn yellow and fall, starting with the oldest ones. In this case, you have to space out the waterings more, and make sure that the pot has drainage holes. If it doesn't, then you have to plant it in one that does. Likewise, it is advisable to treat it with a fungicide, as fungi could harm it.

I hope that with these tips you can enjoy your fiddle leaf fig tree.