To keep or to give away?

Question

Long story short, my friends were gifted a beautiful fiddle leaf, but they are not plant people so unfortunately, it’s been dying at a slow pace. They’re moving and don’t want to take it with them and they asked me if I wanted it because they know I have a plant collection and a little bit of a green thumb.

first things first, is this plant even going to make it or is it pretty much done for? I haven’t been able to check the roots, but I have a feeling they might be dried out. If I were to keep it and cut off all the dead foliage, would I still be taking on big of a challenge considering I’ve never owned a fig plant??? ￼ #figtree #fig #FiddleLeafFig #Dyingplant #fiddleleaf #fiddlefig

@LiterateIvy · Accepted Answer

Yeah, there's nothing serious wrong with him by the looks of it, cut the brown part of the leaf off and seal with a cinnamon/water mixture to stop infection. I would tip the pot and soil out on top a big newspaper/sheet etc to check the roots are all ok then repot in new soil mixed with pearlite, sprinkle cinnamon on top. He should be fine in a few months. Put him in a low ish light spot and keep the soil slightly damp but not too wet. Don't let the soil "stick to your finger" after watering. Wash the leaves gently with a wet cloth and if you have neen oil then that, if not just warm water. Good luck! Even if you did end up losing some leaves they're pretty robust .

@TRose · Answer

I agree it looks dry. I’d water it and see how it does and then check the roots

@UltraKoreanfir · Answer

If worse comes to worse, Rachael may be able to help.  @theloveofplants. She just shared a post where she cut hers off in half (cut the whole top off) and nursed it through until it got moving with some good growth again.  So, it can be done.

@Momof83ans · Answer

@UltraKoreanfir this! I was just going to suggest the big chop

To keep or to give away?

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