| How to Get Started Beekeeping Posted: 04 Apr 2020 01:00 AM PDT Beekeeping can be a very fun and rewarding activity for you, your family, and friends. Not only does it let you eat fresh honeycomb, but it can also benefit your garden through pollination. It can take some time to put together a bee community, but once you do, beekeeping is relatively easy. You can get started beekeeping by putting together your hive, introducing the bees to the hive, and caring for the bee community. [Edit]Making Arrangements for Your Hive - Ensure that you have at least 1/10th of an acre land. Consult the documents related to your property to find out the size of your yard. A typical city-sized lot is about one-tenth of an acre and can accommodate one bee colony. Make your determination of how many colonies to have based on the size of your yard.[1]
- Make sure the space has a clear flight path for the bees so that you don't interrupt their ability to thrive.[2]
- Check local laws. Ask local officials, a county extension, or a beekeeping association about ordinances related to bee colonies. Ask questions about regulations on things such as how many hives you can have and the minimum amount of space between hives and your property line. This can prevent you from violating city codes or having to pay fines.[3]
- Find your local beekeeping association through the websites of national or state groups such as the Florida State Beekeepers Association or the British Beekeepers Association.[4] County extensions have offices in every state of the United States. You can find your local county extension at http://npic.orst.edu/pest/countyext.htm.
- Start beekeeping projects in the autumn. Bees' behavior is entirely dependent on climate. Use the fall and winter to consult books on beekeeping, gather your supplies to build the hive, and find a source for your bees. Introduce your bees to the hive only in the spring as the early flowers appear. Beginning your project during the autumn months ensures your bees can collect nectar and pollen to build a strong hive in the spring and summer.[5]
- Purchase a top bar hive if you want something lightweight. Find a local beekeeping supplier that sells 10-pound (4.5kg) top bar hives. This type of hive can make beekeeping fun and easy if you:[6]
- Want a hive that weighs less than 40 pounds (18kg)
- Want one or two hives
- Are willing to perform regular maintenance
- Get a Warre hive. Visit your local beekeeping supply store to look at Warre hives. Ask the salesperson any questions you have about Warre hives or if it is something best suited to your needs. Warre hives are good choices for hives if you:[7]
- Are ok with lifting 40 pounds or more
- Want one or two hives
- Want to perform occasional maintenance
- Want to see your bees in action
- Buy a Langstroth hive. While you're at your local store, compare Warre hives with Langstroth hives. Ask the shop staff if a Langstroth hives may be better suited to your needs and wishes for beekeeping. Langstroth hives are a fun and great choice if you:[8]
- Are wiling to lift 40 pounds or more
- Want many hives
- Want to perform occasional maintenance
- Don't necessary want to see your bees in action
- Construct a hive stand. Purchase a hive stand or build one with concrete blocks to keep your hive off of the ground. Measure to ensure that the hives are at least 18 inches off of the ground. This can protect them from critters such as skunks or raccoons and make it easier to check the hives. It also protects your back from having to lift heavy hives.[9]
- Get hive tools. Having basic protective clothing and tools can help you maintain your bee colony and protect yourself. Get the following hive tools and articles to wear while beekeeping:[10]
- Bee suit with gloves or simple hat and veil and lightweight jacket
- Smoker to calm the bees when you're working in the hive
- Hive tool, which is a mini pry bar specifically used in beekeeping
[Edit]Placing Your Hives in the Optimal Location - Expose your hive to the morning sun. Put your hive in an area that gets sun in the mornings. This ensures that your bees get out of their hive early to forage for pollen. Place the hive in a spot that gets the full sun if you live in cooler climates such as the northeastern United States. Put the hive in a place with afternoon shade if you live in warmer climates.[11]
- Protect your hives from direct wind. Keep your hive away from open spots that are exposed to direct winds or breezes. Instead, set it next to wind breaks such as fences, shrubbery, trees, or bushes. This can ensure the health and vitality of your bees and minimize the risk of the hive tipping over.[12]
- Place hive entrances facing south or southeast if you live in the northern United States or Canada to protect it from winter winds.
- Space your hives at least one body width apart. Set the hives so that you can easily walk between them without grazing yourself. Spacing your hives comfortably apart will allow you greater movement while you work. It also minimizes the risk that bees perceive your presence as a threat.[13]
- Face hive entrances away from foot traffic. Position your hive entrance facing away from people or animals that may walk past it. Keeping your bees away from foot traffic minimizes the risk that your bees perceive animals or people as possible threats.[14]
[Edit]Introducing the Bees into the Hive - Source your bees early in the year. Select a local beekeeper, gardening or pet store where you can purchase your bees by January or February. Contact several different sources so that you have backup bees if anything falls through with your chosen supplier. Making sure you have a source for bees ensures that you can introduce them to the hive when plants start blooming.[15]
- Purchase a "nuc." Ask your supplier to provide you with a "nuc." This is a queen bee and a bunch of workers that are ready to place in the hive once spring starts.[16] If this isn't an option, buy a confirmed queen bee and about 10,000 individual workers, which equals about three pounds of bees.[17] Introducing a nuc into a hive is easier than searching for an individual queen bee and thousands of workers.
- Put on your beekeeping gear. Once it's spring and you have a nuc, put on your beekeeper suit, gloves, hat, and veil. Make sure anyone else who will handle or be near the bees is also wearing protective beekeeping gear. This can ensure you, your loved ones, and even your bees stay safe and happy when introducing the colony or performing regular maintenance.[18]
- Have spare beekeeping gear on hand if you have interested friends or family members.
- Smoke the bees out of the nuc. Puff your nuc with two or three wafts of cool smoke. Then place the nuc next to or on top of your hive. Using cool smoke and moving the nuc near the hive can wake up your bees and ensure a quick transfer into their hive.[19]
- Release the bees into the new hive. Remove the outer and inner cover of your hive body. Then take off the frames from the nuc and gently center them in the hive body. Allow your bees to populate their new hive before replacing the inner and outer hive body covers.[20]
- Check for any lingering bees in the nuc container and release them into your hive.
- Shake your nuc into the hive if you prefer a faster and easier transfer of your bees.
- Ensure your bees' safety from critters with barriers. Winnie the Pooh and his bear friends aren't the only animals who like honey. Protecting your bees from predators can ensure the vitality of your colony and a fruitful harvest. Use the following solutions to keep bee predators at bay:[21]
- Put up electric barriers or chicken-wire fences to keep bears, opossums, and skunks away.
- Elevate hives to keep opossums and skunks out of the hives.
- Place birdfeeders away from hives.
- Feed your bees as necessary. There may be a slight gap in time between when you introduce your bees to their hive and plants begin producing nectar. During these few weeks, feed your bees with a 1:1 mixture of water and sugar. Punch holes in the top of the hive and hang small food jars with the mixture from them. This can ensure your bees have nutrition until they can access nectar.[22]
- Monitor the hive at regular intervals. Check the hive as often as you like. This could be once between spring introduction and fall harvesting or every day if you prefer. This can ensure your hive is flourishing, building a strong comb, and doesn't have any pests or other problems.[23]
- Watch for potential problems. During your check-ups of the hive, look for signs of illness, parasite infestation or other animals accessing your hive. This can help you nip potential problems in the bud before they affect your hive. Some signs of issues with your hive include:[24]
- Misplaced bars
- Weakened colony
- Visible hive beetles or wax moths on the comb
- Lack of larvae
- Deformed wings
- Harvest Honey. Take out the long, flat hive frames in the fall. Scoop off the honeycomb and wax into a container or bucket with a hot knife. Then allow the honey to gradually sink to the bottom of the container and remove the wax cappings that remain. This will give you delicious, raw honey to eat and wax cappings you can turn into candles or other items.[25]
- Set the wax capping on a sieve or filter to strain out bits of the capping from the raw honey.
- Get an extractor if you prefer to strain your honey into a spigot and keep the wax separate.
[Edit]Expert Advice Keep these tips in mind when you're starting a new beehive: - Make sure the hive is clean. Whether you capture a swarm or purchase a colony, make sure you have a clean beehive for them. Bees can be picky, so they may not be receptive to a beehive that's moldy or dirty, and they may be more likely to swarm.
- Protect the hive from ants. Ants are too small for bees to sting, so they can be a big threat to your colony. To discourage ants from invading, put the hive on a stand, and put the feet of that stand in a container of water.
- Pick a spot that gets morning sun. Place your hive in an East-facing spot that the sun will hit first thing in the morning. Warming the hive early in the day is important for incubation, because the temperature of the hive has to be 80° in order for the eggs to hatch. In addition, keeping the hive warm will help protect against issues with mold and bugs.
[Edit]Warnings - Use entrance reducers over the winter to prevent mice and other critters from getting into the hive while the bees are less active.
- Don't try to work with your bees on a cloudy, windy, or rainy day unless you absolutely have to. They get grumpy when the weather is bad and you are much more likely to get stung.
- If you are allergic to bees, think seriously before deciding to keep them. If you understand the risks but want to keep bees anyway, be sure to keep an epi-pen handy in case you do get stung.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Quarantine Yourself Posted: 03 Apr 2020 05:00 PM PDT The thought of going into quarantine may sound scary, but it's a simple precaution to protect yourself and others from contagious diseases. If you live in an area that's affected by an infectious disease outbreak, such as the recent COVID-19 epidemic, health officials may recommend that you practice social distancing, or limit your time in public in order to protect yourself. If you get sick or might have been exposed to the disease, you might need to go into quarantine or isolate yourself at home until the danger of spreading the infection to others has passed. Stay in touch with your doctor and reach out to friends and loved ones to help put your worries at ease and relieve stress while you're waiting for your quarantine period to end. [Edit]Protecting Yourself with Social Distancing - Stay at least away from obviously sick people. Many contagious diseases spread when people spend time around infected people, even if they don't actually have physical contact. This can happen when an infected person coughs or sneezes and people around them breathe in droplets of saliva or mucus from their nose or mouth.[1] If you're around someone with symptoms of illness, like sneezing or coughing, avoid touching them and try to maintain a distance of at least at all times.
- According to the CDC, you may be at risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus if you're within of an infected person for a prolonged period of time (i.e., more than a few minutes), an infected person coughs on you, or you're currently caring for or sharing a home with someone who has COVID-19.[2]
- Wash your hands frequently when you're in public areas. Washing your hands is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect yourself and others from the spread of disease. If you are in a public space or another area where you know you might be exposed to an illness, wash your hands often with soap and running water. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, and make sure to wash your wrists, between your fingers, and the backs of your hands.[3]
- It's especially important to wash your hands after going to the bathroom, after touching high-contact surfaces (such as doorknobs, railings, and light switches), and before handling food or touching your face.
- According to the CDC, warm and cold water are equally effective at washing away germs and viruses. What's most important is that you use soap and wash for at least 20 seconds. If your skin is sensitive, using cool water can help prevent dryness and irritation.[4]
- If you don't have access to soap and water, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Keep your hands away from your face as much as possible. Many viruses and germs enter the body through the mucus membranes in your eyes, nose, and mouth. To prevent this, avoid touching your face as much as possible, since your hands may have come into contact with a contaminated surface.[5]
- If you have to touch your face, wash your hands before and after with soap and warm water.
- If possible, use a tissue if you need to wipe, rub, or scratch any part of your face. Throw the tissue away when you're done.
- Cover your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze. Even if you don't think you're sick, it's important to protect others in your community and set a good example by practicing proper hygiene when you cough and sneeze. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, then immediately throw the tissue away. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer when you're done.[6]
- If you don't have a tissue or don't have time to grab one, cough or sneeze into your bent elbow instead of your hand. This will help prevent you from spreading viruses or germs when you touch things with your hands.
- Avoid crowded areas if you're at high risk or if local health officials recommend it. In some cases, local health authorities may cancel large events or advise that people limit their time in public spaces in order to prevent the spread of disease.[7] You may also need to limit your exposure to crowds and public areas if you're particularly vulnerable to infection. If you're not sure whether it's a good idea to go out in public, ask your doctor for advice.
- For example, the CDC currently recommends that people who are at high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 should stay home and avoid crowded areas as much as possible. This includes older adults (people aged 60 and over) and people with chronic illnesses such as heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes. Immunocompromised people, such as those with HIV/AIDS, cancer patients, people using chemotherapy, or people taking immunosuppressive medications, are also at risk.[8]
- If your doctor or local public health officials advise that you stay home, stock up on necessary supplies such as any medications you are currently taking, groceries, and over-the-counter medical supplies such as tissues and cough medicine.
- Get recommendations on social distancing from reputable public health websites. If you live in an area that's affected by an infectious disease outbreak, such as the COVID-19 virus, visit your local public health website for updates and information. They will provide information about how to protect yourself and others from illness and will let you know whether social distancing is necessary.[9]
- For example, try a web search like "Public health advisory coronavirus Kane County Illinois."
- You can also check sources such as the CDC or World Health Organization website for more general information.
- Your local public health department may recommend social distancing for particularly vulnerable individuals, such as older adults or immunocompromised people. They may also enforce social distancing by canceling large community events or closing schools if there is evidence of a disease exposure risk.
[Edit]Practicing Self-Quarantine after Exposure to a Disease - Self-quarantine if you've been exposed to an infected person. If you know that you have been in close proximity to someone infected with a dangerous illness, such as the COVID-19 coronavirus, it's a good idea to self-quarantine in order to protect yourself and others.[10] If you think you've been exposed to a contagious disease during an outbreak, contact your doctor or local public health department and ask if you need to quarantine yourself.
- You might get a notification about a potential exposure from your school, your employer, or your local public health department. Take any advisories like this seriously and don't hesitate to ask questions if you're not sure what to do.
- Call your doctor immediately if you suspect you're sick. If you think you've been exposed to a disease like COVID-19 and you start to experience suspicious symptoms, call your doctor's office and explain the situation.[11] They may ask you to come in for a medical evaluation and testing, and they can also give you advice about whether self-quarantine is necessary for you.
- For example, call your doctor right away if you experience symptoms such as a fever, coughing, or difficulty breathing, especially if you live in an area where COVID-19 is active.
- Don't show up at your doctor's office without calling ahead if you suspect you have a condition such as coronavirus or the flu. They may need to take special precautions in order to protect themselves, you, and their other patients from illness.
- Most clinics are currently offering phone or telehealth visits so that they can check your condition remotely and determine whether you need to come in for treatment and testing. If they think you need to be tested for the coronavirus, they can direct you to a site that has the necessary resources and facilities (such as drive-up testing or a negative pressure room).
- Stay home for 14 days or as long as your doctor recommends. The typical recommended time for self-quarantine is 2 weeks.[12] This will give you plenty of time to monitor your condition and determine whether you might pose a risk to others. If your doctor advises you to self-quarantine, ask them how long you need to stay home.
- If you develop symptoms or are officially diagnosed with a contagious illness such as COVID-19, you may need to stay home longer than 2 weeks.
- Avoid contact with other people or animals as much as possible. During your quarantine, it's very important to keep to yourself so that you don't risk making other people sick. Even if you don't have any symptoms, avoid having visitors and keep your distance from other people who live with you. Limit contact with your pets as much as you can, including petting, cuddling, feeding, and grooming them.[13]
- Designate one room, such as your bedroom, for your exclusive use. Other people in the home should stay out of the room unless it's absolutely necessary. If possible, avoid sharing a bathroom with other people in your home.
- If you need to have supplies or food delivered to your home, ask the person making the delivery to leave the items outside your door.
- If you have pets, ask a friend or someone else in your home to care for them until your quarantine period is over. If you have to interact with your pets, wash your hands before and after and wear a facemask.
- Wear a mask if you have to be around other people. Even if you don't have any obvious symptoms of illness, wear a facemask during your quarantine to reduce the risk of spreading a possible infection to others. Put on a mask if someone is visiting you, a family member has to enter your room, or you need to leave your home in order to get medical treatment.[14]
- If you're not able to find facemasks in stores due to shortages, you can improvise one by tying a scarf or handkerchief over your nose and mouth.[15]
- Anyone who enters your room or needs to be in close contact with you during your quarantine should also wear a mask.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water. Protect both yourself and others from the potential spread of disease during your quarantine by washing your hands regularly. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, especially after you cough, sneeze, or blow your nose; after you go to the bathroom; and before you prepare or eat food.[16]
- If you don't have access to soap and water, use a hand sanitizer that's at least 60% alcohol.
- Cover your mouth and nose whenever you cough or sneeze. If you have to cough or sneeze, prevent the spread of potentially contaminated fluids from your mouth and nose by covering your face with a tissue. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm.[17]
- Don't leave used tissues sitting around. Throw them away immediately in a lined garbage can, then wash your hands with soap and water.
- Disinfect objects and surfaces you come into contact with. Once a day, use a household cleaning product, such as a disinfectant wipe or general-purpose cleaner, to clean surfaces that you use regularly throughout the day. This includes things like doorknobs, counters, tabletops, light switches, and toilet seats.[18]
- Wash anything you put in your mouth, such as eating utensils or thermometers, with soap and hot water.
- Monitor your condition closely and get medical help if anything changes. While you're in quarantine, keep a close eye out for any signs that you may be getting sick or that your condition is worsening. If you notice new or worsening symptoms, call your doctor right away and ask for advice.[19]
- Provide details about what kinds of symptoms you're having, when they started, and what kinds of treatments you've been using, if any (such as over-the-counter medications).
[Edit]Self-Isolating if You're Sick - Ask your doctor if you can return home or if you need to be hospitalized. If you have a confirmed diagnosis of a contagious illness such as COVID-19, your doctor will need to evaluate your specific case and make recommendations based on your condition. Discuss whether you can safely go home and, if so, whether you need to stay in isolation until you recover.[20]
- If your doctor thinks you are stable enough to go home, ask for detailed instructions on how to care for yourself during your isolation period. If a friend or family member will be caring for you, ask the doctor to share that information with them.
- Your doctor will send any confirmed lab test results to your local public health department. From there, the public health department will make recommendations about how long you need to stay in isolation.
- Stay home unless you need to seek medical care. If you're sick, it's imperative that you stay home and rest as much as possible. This will help you recover faster and also protect others from catching your illness. Don't go to school or work, and avoid taking public transit to visit the doctor if possible.[21]
- Always call ahead if you need to visit the hospital or your doctor's office. Tell them about your diagnosis and describe any symptoms you're currently experiencing.
- If you need supplies, have them delivered to your home if possible. Don't go out shopping while you're in isolation.
- Remain in your own room as much as possible if you share a home. If you can, keep to your own space inside the home and don't allow pets, visitors, or family members inside. If possible, use your own bathroom instead of sharing one with other people in the home.[22]
- Have someone else care for any pets if possible. This is especially important if you have a condition such as COVID-19, which may be transmitted between animals and humans.
- To avoid having to enter other areas of the home, ask family members or other caretakers to leave prepared meals or other supplies outside your door.
- Preferably, you should stay in a well-ventilated room with a window that you can open.[23]
- Wear a mask if you have to interact with other people. If you're too sick to care for yourself, put on a mask any time a caretaker has to be around you. You should also put on a mask if you have to leave your home (e.g., to visit your doctor's office).[24]
- Have your caretakers wear masks when they're around you, too.
- If you're unable to get facemasks due to shortages in your area, cover your nose and mouth with a handkerchief or scarf instead.
- Practice proper hygiene to prevent spreading your illness. While you're in isolation, keep your environment clean and take precautions so that you don't give your infection to others in your home. You can help keep your loved ones safe by:[25]
- Washing your hands frequently with soap and warm water, especially after you cough, sneeze, blow your nose, or go to the bathroom.
- Covering your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze.
- Disposing of used tissues immediately in a lined trash can.
- Not sharing personal items with others. This includes towels, medical supplies (such as thermometers and medicine cups), eating utensils and dishes, personal grooming products, and bed linens.
- Disinfecting surfaces and objects you frequently come into contact with, such as doorknobs, countertops, and toilet seats.
- Call your doctor immediately if your symptoms change or get worse. While you're in isolation, you or your caretaker(s) will need to monitor your condition closely. If you develop new symptoms, start feeling worse, or don't see any signs of improvement after the expected period of recovery time, call your doctor right away. They can advise you about what to do next.[26]
- If you have a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number. Let the dispatcher know about your diagnosis if possible so that the emergency medical personnel can take proper precautions.
- Work with your doctor to determine when you can leave isolation. The length of your self-isolation will depend on your specific situation and symptoms. Even if you feel much better, don't leave your home until your doctor says it's safe. This will help protect both you and other people in your community.[27]
- Your doctor may need to consult with your local public health department to determine the best timeline for your isolation.
[Edit]Coping with Self-Quarantine - Remind yourself that difficult emotions are normal during self-quarantine. Dealing with a dangerous disease outbreak is scary and stressful, and having to quarantine yourself can make those feelings worse. It's normal to feel fearful, sad, frustrated, lonely, uncertain, or even angry about what's happening. If you experience any of these feelings, try to acknowledge them without judging yourself.[28]
- It's also okay if you don't feel any of these things. Everyone reacts to stressful situations differently.
- Reach out to your doctor if you have questions or concerns. If you're feeling fearful or uncertain about what's happening, your doctor may be able to put your mind at ease. Don't hesitate to call your doctor's office or reach out to someone in your local public health department if you have questions.[29]
- They may be able to direct you to other helpful resources online or in your community.
- Talk to your employer if you're worried about loss of income. Having to miss work because of self-quarantine, self-isolation, or enforced social distancing can put you under financial stress. If you're worried, reach out to your employer about your situation. Give them a clear explanation of why you need to miss work and provide a doctor's note if necessary.[30]
- Some employers may be willing to offer paid sick leave to employees who are in quarantine or isolation due to illness.
- If you live in the U.S., reach out to your human resources department about whether you qualify for Family Medical Leave, which guarantees up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for employees who are ill or need to care for a sick family member.
- You can also reach out to your utility providers and explain your situation. They may be able to offer payment arrangements that can reduce your financial burden until you can return to work.
- Stay in touch with your friends and family. Being in quarantine or isolation can be extremely lonely. Being alone while you're ill or fearful of becoming ill can also increase your feelings of anxiety or frustration. Reach out to friends and loved ones by phone, email, social media, or video chat so that you don't feel so alone.[31]
- In addition to providing a sympathetic ear and helping your relieve loneliness and boredom, friends and loved ones can offer practical help. Don't be afraid to ask a friend or family member to drop off meals or supplies at your home, watch your pets while you're in quarantine, or help you with chores that you're unable to attend to.
- Practice stress-relieving activities to help you relax. To fight boredom, anxiety, and frustration, look for simple, enjoyable activities that you can do while you're stuck at home. Depending on how well you're feeling, this might include things like:[32]
- Watching movies or TV shows
- Reading
- Listening to relaxing music
- Playing games
- Meditating or doing light stretches or yoga
- Working on hobbies or creative projects
- Doing light housework
Websites with Helpful Information about COVID-19 and Social Distancing: [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Prune Fiddle Leaf Fig Posted: 03 Apr 2020 09:00 AM PDT Fiddle leaf figs are a relatively low maintenance plant that can add some natural, tropical vibes to your home. While you don't need to do a lot of pruning for this plant, you may want to trim away any severely damaged or unwanted leaves. You can also use pruning as a way to make your foliage denser in the long run. [Edit]Monitoring and Removing the Leaves - Examine the leaves to determine what the plant needs to grow. Look over the plant to see if you notice any brown, yellow, or red spots on your leaves, as these are all signs that your fiddle leaf fig plant isn't as healthy as it could be. Try to check on your plant on a regular or weekly basis so you can take action efficiently.[1]
- Red markings on fiddle leaf fig leaves mean that the plant is drinking up too much water at a fast pace. Thankfully, these marks will slowly fade as the plant continues to grow.
- If your leaves look yellow, it means that your plant is overwatered. Try cutting on back on the amount of water you give your plant each week and see if you notice a difference.
- If you see any brown spots, it usually means that your plant is getting too much direct sunlight. Adjust the position of your plant and see if you notice a positive difference!
- Trim off any damaged leaves with shears. Cut off damaged leaves at the base of the connecting stem. Specifically, focus on any leaves that look brown or black throughout.[2]
- You can also remove leaves to alter the overall shape of your fig tree. For instance, you could cut off a few leaves at the base of the plant so the foliage resembles a tree.
- Don't remove more than 10 leaves from your plant at a time. Limit yourself to trimming a small handful of leaves from your plant. If you remove too many at once, you might shock or potentially damage your fig plant in the long run. Once the plant develops more leafy foliage, you can remove a few more leaves.[3]
- Wait until the fiddle leaf fig plant sprouts more leaves on top before you prune any more from the base of the plant.
[Edit]Encouraging the Plant to Branch - Wait until your fig plant is tall. Starting from the base of the plant, use a measuring tape to check the exact height of your fiddle leaf fern. If your plant is less than tall, wait several weeks or months until the plant has grown more.[4]
- You don't want to prune the plant's branches until the fig tree is well-established.
- Choose an upper section of the tree to trim. Find a section along the top of your fig plant that's especially leafy or causing the entire tree to tilt to 1 side. Pick a small or large section, depending on how you want your tree to look in the long run.[5]
- For instance, if you're trimming the top of your tree, you could cut from the top of the tree.
- You can cut off large branches to use for propagation purposes.
- Cut the branch with sharp, sanitized pruning shears. Place your shears on the section of branch that you'd like to cut, then apply a lot of pressure on the handle. Try to remove the branch in 1 go so your tree can look as smooth as possible.[6]
- Cut the wood at a 45-degree angle if you want to propagate the branch into a new tree.
- In several weeks, you may notice new shoots beginning to grow from the cut, which will eventually make your tree look fuller.[7]
- Leave your plant in a place with lots of indirect sunlight. Position your plant by a north- or east-facing window, which will give the fiddle leaf fig a consistent amount of rays with burning or drying it out. If you notice any pale looking leaves or see any brown spots on your plant, then you might need to move your fiddle leaf fig to a new location.[8]
- South- and west-facing windows will provide your plant with too much direct light.
- Nourish your fig with about of water each week. Check the top layer of soil to make sure that it's moist.[9] Ideally, make sure that the top of soil are drenched, which will allow the plant to become strong and healthy.[10]
- To check the soil, insert your fingers into the plant's pot to see if any dirt sticks to your skin. If the soil looks dark and tends to stick, you likely don't need to water your plant.[11]
- Leave any extra water in the drainage tray for about 15-30 minutes, then blot it away.[12]
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Monitoring and Removing the Leaves [Edit]Encouraging the Plant to Branch [Edit]References |
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