Hello All,

I am new to this site but started taking an interest in my outdoor fiddler plant. All of a sudden it has grown so large and I'm really enjoying it. But i have a couple questions. Upon the posted photos, its best to cut the leaves that have (what looks like) Caterpillar holes on them correct? Also, if you notice the bottom of the plant is not as green and vibrant as the top leaves, not sure why that is?

I water the plant once a week, and use NEEM oil once a week as well as SEVIN spray to help rid of the bugs/pests. So far after that caterpillar or whatever was eating the holes in those leaves weeks ago, i have not had any further issues.

My questions is what do you recommend i do, should i cut off the leaves with the holes on them? Also, i bought "Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree Plant Food for Ficus Lyrata – Calcium Fortified, Urea-Free and with NPK Ratio of 3-1-2 for Healthy Roots, Stems and Leaves" from Amazon. I read that once a week when i water I should mix that solution with 2 cups of water and pour into the pot while i do regular watering?

I just don't want this guy to die lol, so i want to take care of it the best I can.

Please look at the photos and let me know how you think it is doing, the gauge i bought says there is a little to much water in it (so i wont water until end of week to level that out) .

I am just more curious about what I should do with the leaves with the bug holes on them, as well as the leaves that look off color towards the bottom. Also, is it ok that the leaves are facing/drooping downward toward the bottom of the plant, as the top of the plant looks more vibrant?

Thanks a lot and look forward to hearing back from the community.

I asked in another forum and found some help, but looking to see if anyone else could contribute.

I just wanted to show you a follow up. I havent watered the Fiddler now in over a week . I started putting miracle gro in it for the the nutrients to try and raise the PH but the PH is still between 2-3 .. The Water level is not moving much either for some reason. I have been turning the plant every few days..

There is sections of the plant that are yellowing, and one leaf has brown on it (could be root rot not sure) but its just that one leaf... If you look at the top of the plant it still looks good and waxy.

Please look at these three pictures and let me know your thoughts.

Thank You!

Miracle Grow adds nutrients. The ph level is raised by acids and bases. Fertilizer is one way to increase 'salts' into the soil. Salts are not a good idea.
It is not a good idea to raise, or lower, ph by that method. There are soil acidifiers to lower ph and bases to raise ph. But a Fiddle leaf fig does not require a strongly acidic or basic soil. Slightly above or below neutral would be good.
Remember that fertilizer is meant to support good growth, it does not create. You can do a lot of damage by using it too often. 2-3 times a year is more then enough!

BigBill said:Miracle Grow adds nutrients. The ph level is raised by acids and bases. Fertilizer is one way to increase 'salts' into the soil. Salts are not a good idea.
It is not a good idea to raise, or lower, ph by that method. There are soil acidifiers to lower ph and bases to raise ph. But a Fiddle leaf fig does not require a strongly acidic or basic soil. Slightly above or below neutral would be good.
Remember that fertilizer is meant to support good growth, it does not create. You can do a lot of damage by using it too often. 2-3 times a year is more then enough!

Thanks Bill,

What do you recommend for that leaf that is brown? I don't want to believe its root rot, as the other leaves are green.

Also, the steam sometimes pull away from each other, but then other times they are closer together so that's driving me crazy .

Lastly, what do you recommend i do with the yellow leaves at the bottom? Should i just let them do their thing , i think they may fall off by themselves?

I really enjoy looking at this fiddler plant and don't want it to die. The top of the plant is green but the bottom looks a little iffy. For some reason i haven't watered it in about 10-12 days and the water meter still says its got plenty of water in it. Just want to make sure its drinking correctly. Not sure if i need to re-pot it. Got a little nervous with the PH being between 2-3 , articles say it should be between 4-5.

Anything you can contribute would be great.

With a plant that beautiful, I would not worry too much. It looks awfully good to me. I would not be worried about losing a few leaves. Not all leaves are meant to last forever. I would suspect a few of the oldest leaves to drop every so often.

So many people feel that they are easy to grow. A few people think that they are nearly impossible to grow. It is kind of like 2 competing schools of thought. But obviously yours is happy.

You repot it when there are lots of roots kind of exploding out of the drainage holes. The bigger they get, the less often you'll repot. I would water when the top 1/2" or so of soil is dry. Less often during the dull winter months and perhaps a bit more often during the summer months. But just keep in mind that a good deal of plant care and knowledge comes from experience, not from a water meter or from a book. It is hard lesson to learn, but it is a lot of fun and quite rewarding.
Btw, water meters are terribly inaccurate.

Hey Fellow Fiddlers,

Just wanted to post some updated photos.... I have new growth at the top of the plant, but im noticing some dark spots on the leaves... is this root rot? Because it is only on a few leaves..

My wife and I were going to repot the fiddler - we put him in this very large pot a couple years ago and just wasnt sure what we need to do.

The fact that the plant is producing new growth at the top is a good sign.

I think i may have put to much 3-1-2 NPK ratio in it (i put a bit every other water) not sure if that is causing an issue. And im not sure when vegetation time is lol, which is what it says on bottle.

Would the community be so kind as to look at these new updated photos and let me know?

When we planted the Fiddler a couple years ago, we lined the bottom of the pot inside with Rocks and then put the soil ontop of those rocks for drainage. I believe the bottom of the pot does have a couple drainage holes - however my concern is is that it is sitting on the ground, so not sure how well it can "drain" when watered (once a week). We also turn the plant once every few days, and use Neem oil on occasion.

Thanks again.