Notching a Fiddle Leaf Fig: The COMPLETE GUIDE to Encourage New Branches!

I followed this and it worked! Thank you! It took 1 month and I made sure to hit sap. I applied Keiki cloning paste.

This is the most informative video I have seen about notching

Very clear instructions. Thanks!

Hi! I have a question, should I only cut one notch at a time, or can I make several notches at once? Thank you!

Had anyone tried and found effective? I tried on my fiddle leave fig and nothing happened

Can I notch my fiddle leaf fig while it has new growth at the top? I know notching encourages new growth to the area near the notch. I don’t want to stunt the growth that is occurring naturally at the top of the plant. Thank you!

Trying this today!

Will this tree do okay in Sebring florida outside? Sandy soil zone 9b where it can get down to 50F some winter nights.

my flf tried to produce new growth naturally last year as I saw the green leaf tip but then browned out and stopped. Can it still grow out from the same spot? It is at the very top of the branch/tree.

I have two beautiful fiddle leaf figs in my house. I will try this since they have only grown up on one branch. How big of a pot do they need? Thanks!

Thanks!

I think I’m a bit more confident about notching, after watching this video. I’ll also be sure to complete my notchings with a second cut. And, of course, I’ll order the rooting hormone beforehand. Thanks, so much.

Rich information, thanks

Thanks a lot, I'm going to do this later, I actually thought mine was going to die, but it has started growing really good, one of my favorite plants.❤️

Hello Claire! Question: I pruned my Fiddle Leaf on Mother's day (2023) and now have like 25 or more new leaves and new branches that are growing larger quickly. I would like to shape my tree more because it got very leggy looking with 5 straight branches and I would like to do some notches lower down the 5 old branches that I cut to prune. Would it be ok if I did some notching at this point? Can you notch and prune at the same time, or will that mess things up? Thank you! Your videos are extremely helpful!

I've had a FLF for 3 years which needed a jolt. Placing it outdoors in direct sun was not a good idea. I will notch to replace burnt leaves with new growth.

Can you try propagating it with air layering.

My ficus is situated on my back patio, under full cover, receiving lot of light but has developed rust on the back of most of the leaves, protected from wind. I only water when I feel it needs it. However have not fertilised much. What can I do to help my ficus?

Nice video

Hello Claire, loving your videos!!Going to notch my FLF's right now to make them bushier!! Thank you so much for sharing!!❤🥰🙏

Does this fig produce an eatable fig ???

Hi Claire unfortunately I haven´t had any sucess... :(

Great video, you're a wonderful teacher!

My fig is about 4 feet tall, single stem.
Can I prune the top 1.5 feet and put in 3 notches lower at the same time or should I notch first then prune later?
Thank you.

Very informative. Thanks so much and God bless!

Thank you. Great info.

Thank you!! This is so interesting!

can this be done in the winter?

fantastic! Thanks for the thorough explanation and overview, I especially love the connection to evolutionary adaptation!

Great video! I love the way you got to the point, gave practical suggestions and demonstration without any fluff. I learned so much! Thank you! I can't wait to notch my Fiddle Leaf Fig!

Great video now I know why I have failed previously

This is very helpful!!

My fiddle leaf got black spots on some leaves.
No, I didn’t over water. I water only after the soil is dried
No pests, and I kept the plant in indirect sunlight

Any suggestions to save my plant? Thanks in advance!

thanks

Hi Claire, question: I notched my fiddle and the dormant buds below where I notched swelled up a bit and turned green and pointy, which made me think it was working. However, these buds have not since progressed from there and it's been maybe 3 weeks. I'm watering and fertilizing weekly, and it's near two bright windows. Any advice? Thank you!!

Thank you for the advice. The buds are still very small but definitely more there than before the notching. They are green and pointy, but haven’t developed the papery brown covering yet or anything like that. The main stem is also growing robustly (I had pruned it), so not sure if that apical growth could be keeping these buds lower down from continuing to develop. I’d add a photo but I don’t see a way to do that!

Hi! How long do you have to wait to notch again? I just made 5 on my large fiddle leaf - fingers crossed they grow. I was just wondering, if it works, when I can do it again. Thanks!

i tried, not working , dont know :(

I just cut about 18"off the top of my fiddle leaf fig to encourage my tall tree to branch out (thank you for the advice on your propagation video!) Would now be a good time to notch in order to influence where my tree branches out, or would that be too much stress all at once?

My FLF lost the lower leafs and now looks like a tree, can I notch at the lowest part of the stem close to the soil so that I starts growing from there? Or is this just for the upper part of the plant

Can you notch the main trunk?

I have a few sunburned leaves, when I remove the leaves does it have the same effect as notching?

Hi Claire, Thanks for all your fantastic videos. I have had success propagating and notching.
I notched a little deep into a horizontal branch and it has now splinted down the branch about 6mm, the branch is now leaning because of the weight of the leaves, I have staked it, so the branch doesn't completely break. Would I be best to cut the branch and propagate ? Ideally I would like to keep it as it would ruin the shape, however a branch dying with 11 healthy leaves would also be sad. I'm thinking that more growth would now put too much pressure on the weekend branch. Thanks so much for your advice.

When you notch the trunk can it be above an actual leaf or should it be above a node that has no leaf?

HiClaire, thank you for ur advice on lyrata. I saw another of ur videos and u mentioned exact amount of water to give and it really kept the plant perfect so thank you so much!. Every one just say just to water but we need to know the actual amount!. Q's: I have a lemon tree (young) and is drying out or dying and it's the same issue. It's on a pot. How much water? a cup, half cup? or oz? I don't know! Also, if I cut a dead brunch from a evergreen young one going into it's 3erd year,do i rub anything on the cut area of the trunk or not necesary? I took the scissors care of course but what about the cut area that stays raw to the air? (dirt,dust,insects etc...) Do I put vaseline? anything? Please appreciate ur prompt reply> Love and Peace

A smal groov is a notch

Have to try this! Thanks! Do the notches heal afterward and will it impact growth higher up on the fiddle?

Hi Claire! So glad I found your page! I have a 4’ tall fiddle leaf fig in an 8” pot. The larger leafs are about 6” wide. 1) Should I repot
2) Is it ok to notch at this point?

What if there’s no new nodes just the Leafs?

My fiddle leaf is just one long stick of leaves.. I searched my whole plant and there’s no empty nodes.. they all have leaves on them.. do I just notch above a leaf and then the leaf turns into a stem? I’m lost! lol.