Apical Dominance on fiddle leaf fig
What's Happening
Apical dominance in Ficus lyrata and other woody houseplants is maintained by auxin production at the apical meristem (growing tip). This auxin flows downward and inhibits cytokinin-driven lateral bud development through polar transport. When the apex is pruned, auxin flow is disrupted, triggering dormant axillary buds to break dormancy and produce new lateral shoots within 4-8 weeks under optimal conditions.
How to Fix It
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1. Identify dominant growth point and secondary stems
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2. Prune dominant stem tip just above a node using sterile shears
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3. Increase light to bright indirect and maintain 60-80% humidity
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4. Apply diluted balanced fertilizer (1/4 strength) monthly during recovery
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5. If callus forms without regrowth, notch stem 1-2 inches below callus to stimulate dormant buds
How to Prevent It
Prune both stems simultaneously when multiple growth points exist to equalize dominance; maintain bright indirect light (1000-2000 fc) to support post-pruning recovery.
Related Problems
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