One of the most important (and often overlooked) elements of creating ahealthy fiddle leaf figchoose the bestBoden. After all, the soil is an important part of your fiddle leaf fig's environment! This is where the roots live and this is where your plant absorbs nutrients and lots of moisture. It pays to do your research to find the best fig leaf potting mix so you can grow the healthiest and most beautiful plant!
Your choice of soil can affect whether your watering routine results in your fiddle being over, under, or adequately watered. The soil's pH balance affects how fiddle roots take up nutrients, which has a huge impact on the overall health of the tree.
While it's tempting to bring your new fiddle home and place it in some old potting soil you may have, it's worth doing some research on what fig trees actually need so you can provide them with the right soil. This choice can make or break your experience as a parent of a fiddle leaf fig!
The ideal soil for fiddles should have a balance of drainage and water retention and have the right pH to ensure optimal nutrient uptake.
And ideally, the best fiddle leaf potting mix should contain the ideal balance of nutrients to support the growth and health of your fiddle!
Do fiddle leaf figs need special soil?
While fiddle leaf figs can grow reasonably well in a variety of soil types, the more you can mimic what makes them thrive in nature, the happier your fiddle will be!
In a pinch, you can place a fiddle-leaf fig in a good thick cactus mix or throw some extra bark or perlite into some potting soil to improve drainage. It usually has the balance of drainage and water retention that we look for, but the pH may not be ideal for long-term health.
Also, there is no guarantee that an all-purpose, pre-mixed soil mix will have the correct balance of nutrients for a grape leaf. (Unless, of course, you buya special mix for violins. But we'll get to that later!)
Fiddle Leaf and Fig Potting Soil Mix Recipe
For a truly serious houseplant parent, mixing your own potting soil is a useful skill! Plants need different compositions of ingredients in their potting soil to thrive, and fiddle leaf figs are no different.
Here are some common ingredients you'll find in many homemade potting soil recipes that can come in handy when mixing up your own fig leaf potting mix. While there are many ingredients that need to be purchased ahead of time, these items are very common in a variety of different potting mixes for different types of plants. So if you have a lot of plants, you can put them to good use!
vermiculite
Vermiculite is a common ingredient in potting mixes for houseplants.
Vermiculite is a hydrated silicate mineral that is heated until it expands into a small accordion shape made up of layers and layers of thin plates. It's an essential ingredient in potting soil, as it's sterile, non-toxic, and durable, so it won't mold or deteriorate in the soil.
Vermiculite is excellent for improving overall soil structure as it increases aeration while increasing water retention without drenching the soil. This amazing substance prevents soil compaction, absorbs water, and then releases it at a rate optimal for the water needs of many plants.
It also has a pH of around 7, which is neutral and ideal for fiddle leaf figs.
Vermiculite has many uses in gardening beyond soil amendment, so it's definitely something to keep if you plan on growing a lot of plants.
perlite
Perlite is essentially pumice, a naturally occurring volcanic glass that has been heated to temperatures above 1600 degrees Fahrenheit, causing it to "puddle" and expand into a lightweight, porous material. Perlite, similar to vermiculite, is used to aerate floors, although it is much more common. If he's ever bought pre-mixed potting soil at a garden supply store, he's probably noticed little white pebbles that have mixed in with the organic matter. This is pearlite!
A common and inexpensive ingredient for home pots, perlite is ideal for mixing in pre-made pots to increase aeration. (Because we get it, you don't always have the time or desire to make a vase from scratch!)
If you plan to make your own potting soil, make sure you always have a bag with you!
squeezed
Grit refers to the gravel or sand that gardeners use to improve soil structure. Although it looks like a very basic material, garden or horticultural chips are carefully sifted through a sieve to ensure that the particles are the correct size (2-4mm) to provide maximum benefit to the overall composition of the potting soil.
The grain is perfect for breaking up dense soils, preventing clumping or compaction and has a neutral pH, making it ideal for mixing with organic matter for a well-aerated, highly nutritious potting mix.
Also, the grain is cheaper than vermiculite or even perlite. It is also very easy to find!
organic material
So far, we've discussed various inorganic materials that you can find in potting soil or mix into your fig leaf potting mix. But the organic matter is just as important because it provides the foundation for the soil structure and the nutrients for the fig tree to grow!
Organic matter refers to any plant or animal material that breaks down into rich material from which plants absorb nutrients.
When shopping for organic material for your home soil, you'll find a variety of different materials to mix and match, including various fertilizers, coir, worm droppings, and compost. Each of these materials is rich in nutrients and has a different pH level which makes it suitable for different plants.
Organic matter is also important for the soil to retain the correct amount of moisture, while inorganic materials such as perlite and gravel improve drainage and aeration. Both are important and necessary for a balanced potting soil.
Ultimately, these materials promote a healthy ecosystem of beneficial microorganisms and even insects in the soil, reducing the risk of diseases caused by harmful bacteria and microorganisms.
The vital importance of organic matter cannot be overstated.
Watch to learn more about Premium Fiddle Leaf Figueira Solo
Only soon for mixed glasses
Do you find all this overwhelming? Alright, we don't blame you! Making homemade potting mixes can be tricky, and sometimes you just don't want to buy a lot of different ingredients that you have to store for a long time.
If you're looking for a ready-to-use, pre-mixed fig potting soil, ours is for you.Premium Fiddle Leaf Fig Potting SoilIt is the perfect choice!
Our well-aerated, fast-draining soil is designed to correct brown spots, prevent leaf drop, and encourage new growth.
Enjoy healthy dark green foliage and stop worrying about your plant!
This nutrient-rich blend of coir, perlite and aged bark is the perfect balance of drainage and water retention for fiddle-leaf figs and has the ideal pH for ficuses. (Actually, you can use this soil for all kinds of Ficus and Araceae too!)
Fiddle Leaf Fig Soil pH
Fiddle-leaf figs do best in soil with a pH of 6 to 7, which is neutral to slightly alkaline. When compiling a fiddle leaf potting mix, it's best to use ingredients with a similar pH.
Soil pH is often overlooked, but it can affect a plant's ability to absorb nutrients from the soil. This can appear as yellowed leaves and eventually kill your plant!
Soil pH can also change over time, so it's helpful to test your soil pH from time to time. We highly recommendthis 3-in-1 moisture meterto monitor soil moisture and pH, as well as light levels around the fiddle leaf. This tool can take a lot of the guesswork out of helping you create the perfect conditions for your tree.
Transplanting Fig Fiddle Leaf
Once you have purchased or made the ideal fig leaf potting soil, it is time to transplant the fig leaf into this soil.
Luckily it's very easy!
First, remove the violin from its packaging by turning it on its side and carefully removing it from the container.Pan. If it's a plastic pot, you can squeeze the pot a bit to get the root out. You can also use a ladle or even a butter knife to go around the inside of the pan and fluff things up if needed.
After removing the fiddle from the original pot, massage the root ball to remove as much of the old soil as possible.
Then place a few inches of your new soil in the bottom of a clean pot. It could be a new pot, or you could clean and sanitize the old one. Make sure your pot has drainage holes!
Stand your tree upright in the pot and fill the sides with the newonly for mixed glasses, leaving about two inches of headroom at the top for pouring.
Once your tree is in its new pot, water well and add a little more potting soil on top to make up for settling.
Is that! The transplant itself is fairly easy, but some fiddle-leaf fig owners find it difficult for a week or more. This is why.
root shock
When a fig leaf undergoes a major change in its environment, such as a move or transplant, it can experience root shock, which can result in a week or more of shedding or even leaf drop.
Many fig tree owners panic at this point and start making even more changes to try to mitigate the effects of root shock, but this really is the WORST thing to do right now.
Fiddlers thrive on consistency, so after transplanting your plant, place it in a spot that gets plenty of indirect sunlight and leave it alone. Do not transplant. Don't keep watering. And definitely don't fertilize for at least a month after transplanting.
Just make sure your tree gets plenty of light, then give it space. He will recover in a week or two and be so cute and jolly again!
rotten root
Fiddle Leaf Fig Owners Often Live in Fearrotten rootbecause fiddlers are generally susceptible to this disease and can quickly die once root rot if not treated promptly.
This is one of the main reasons why soil aeration and drainage are so important! If your fiddle roots stay in water for too long, they can start to rot.
If you notice signs of root rot (usually limp stems or dark brown spots on lower leaves), transplant your plant into cool, fast-draining soil and let the water sit for a while. If you make water, use oursRoot rot treatmentto help roots recover.
Frequently Asked Questions Can you use cactus soil for fiddle leaf figs?
This is a common question! In general, cactus soil drains quickly and can work reasonably well for a fiddle leaf fig, but nutrient levels aren't always adequate for a ficus. If you decide to plant your fiddle in the cactus mix, be sure to start fertilizing regularly.eat fig leafabout a month after transplanting your plant.
Are you hungry for fiddle leaf fig?
Specially formulated for fiddle leaf figs, our plant fertilizer will help your plants live a longer, happier life and provide them with the best care.
Frequently Asked Questions Can I use orchid soil for fiddle leaf figs?
While orchid mixes generally drain well, which is fine for a fiddle, most orchid soil mixes have a pH of 5.5 to 6.5, which can be too alkaline for a fiddle. If your orchid mix is ​​closer to that 6.5 mark, your fiddle might do just fine there! (Here's another situation where a pH meter can come in handy!)
Your rabeca vine leaf deserves the best!
Never underestimate the importance of the bestmix potting soilfor fiddle-leaf figs. Your choice of potting soil can affect the short- and long-term health of your violin, so choose wisely!
Resources:
Fiddle Leaf Figueira Resources Facebook Group
Fiddle Blade Care Webinar