What Is The Difference Between Ficus Lyrata And Bambino?

What is the difference between Ficus Lyrata and Bambino?

Ficus Lyrata really comes in two kinds. So, before we go into the care, let’s compare the two varieties: the traditional Fiddle Leaf Fig and the Ficus Lyrata Bambino.

There is no difference in what the plants require in terms of upkeep. The care guidelines I’ll provide apply to both types. However, there is a distinction in the appearance of the plants.

The typical Fiddle leaf fig has substantially larger leaves than the Bambino type.

Bambino means “kid” in Italian, and the Bambino Fiddle leaf fig received its name because its leaves are smaller than those of the standard Lyrata.

It’s critical to understand that Ficus Lyrata comes in two varieties.

The Bambino Ficus Lyrata is more than simply a younger, smaller Ficus Lyrata with huge leaves.

Even if it gets tall, the Bambino Violin leaf fig will never have those unusually large fiddle shaped leaves.

The color of the leaf is another distinction. The leaves of the Bambino variety are darker.

New baby leaves are pale green, but as they grow, they turn a lovely rich dark green.

The last difference is that the leaves on the Bambino type grow closer together, giving the plant a fuller appearance. It has a more compact appearance.

How much light does a Ficus Lyrata need?

When determining how much light a fiddle leaf fig plant need, there are several factors to consider.

Getting enough natural light for your houseplants may be a constant struggle, especially in the winter.

One of the most prevalent concerns with fiddle leaf figs is a lack of sunshine, which causes yellowing of the leaves, brown patches, and leaf drop.

A lot of sunshine will make your plant healthier and more resistant to all kinds of ailments.

Before you bring home a new fiddle leaf fig plant, make sure it has a suitable environment with enough of light.

Plants cannot store sunlight for later use, therefore they require 6 or more hours of strong light to thrive.

The longest period of sunshine will be provided by a south-facing window. If your plant faces east or west, it will only receive half of the day’s worth of sunshine.

This might amount to only a few hours of light each day during the winter months, when the days are short.

Where should you put your Ficus Lyrata?

I’ve never seen a Ficus Lyrata plant grow unless it’s placed in front of a big window. Don’t put your plant in the midst of a wall or too far away from a window.

Place your plant in front of a huge floor-to-ceiling window with an overhang outside to shelter it from the hottest direct sunlight.

Of course, not everyone lives in sunny homes with huge windows, so you may have to adapt and work with what you have.

How do you care for a Lyrata Ficus?

These plants are endemic to tropical Africa, where they flourish in hot, humid environments.

This makes them relatively difficult for the home growers, who will most likely struggle to replicate these humid circumstances. They are, nevertheless, robust plants that can survive in less-than-ideal conditions for a long period.

Fiddle-leaf figs aren’t difficult to cultivate as long as you obtain the correct growth conditions.

When cultivated as a houseplant, be prepared to rotate your fiddle-leaf fig every few days so that a different section faces the light source. That way, instead of leaning toward the light, it will grow evenly.

Light requirements

Ficus Lyrata requires direct, filtered light. They can even withstand moderate sunlight if put in an eastern-facing window. Plants that are kept in the dark will not grow quickly.

Water requirements

Keep moist, but don’t submerge it in water, or it will drop leaves and develop root rot. Water when the top soil becomes somewhat dry, then water less in the winter.

The worst thing you can do is overwater (not underwater), because a lack of water is readily remedied, unlike the harm caused by overwatering.

Soil requirements

A decent, quick-draining potting soil will suffice. Ficus Lyrata trees thrive on well-draining soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0.

A soil mixture of one part peat moss/coco coir, one part perlite, and two parts organic soil will give your Fiddle Leaf Fig the best chance of success.

Fertilizer requirements

For plants that are not in ideal health or are recuperating from stress, apply Maxsea All Purpose fertilizer seasonally and up to monthly.

How do you propagate a Ficus Lyrata?

Taking a stem or leaf cutting and enabling it to root in water or soil to generate a new self-sustaining plant is how you propagate a fiddle leaf fig plant.

Most houseplants can be propagated, albeit with different degrees of difficulty. Fiddle leaf figs are actually rather simple to grow.

Spring is the finest time of year to proliferate.

This is the stage of your plant’s life when it is naturally prone to new growth and investing in its root system.

Cutting from a branch that is already producing new growth, which is more common in the spring, is the simplest approach to be successful.

Propagation in the spring will also give your new cutting plenty of time to grow before winter arrives.

Taking a leaf or stem cutting is the first step in propagating a fiddle leaf fig plant. The cutting will next be “rooted,” which means it will be placed in water or highly wet soil to allow it to establish new roots.

The following are the processes for propagating your plant.

• Prepare Your Propagation Container

You should have a container available with clean, chlorine-free water for your cutting.

Allow regular tap water to rest overnight to allow chlorine to dissipate, or use distilled water.

Check that the container is of sufficient size and shape to support your cutting and maintain it upright.

• Take Your Stem Cutting

It is advised to cut a stem with two or three leaves (no more than that otherwise they will demand too much energy to flourish).

• Inches below the first leaf, make a cut.

This will give your new plant a short stem and plenty of leaves to keep it alive.

Choose a handful of your plant’s healthiest leaves for your cutting.

Don’t worry; they’ll regrow when you cut them. Take your cutting with a clean, sharp instrument and immediately immerse it in water.

• Use a Rooting Hormone

To help your plant produce new roots faster, use a rooting hormone like Houseplant Propagation Promoter. Follow the bottle’s instructions and dip your stem once before placing it in water or soil.

Houseplant Propagation Promoter’s proprietary mix promotes robust growth and photosynthesis while also protecting new cuttings from germs and toxins that might cause fresh cuttings to fail.

You’ll be able to clone your best plants faster using this simple product, even difficult-to-produce species like Ficus Lyrata.

It also contains a free Complete Propagation Guide with photographs and step-by-step instructions. To purchase, please visit this page.

• Place in a Bright Place

Place your roots system in a bright, non-sunny location, and check it every few days to ensure it has adequate water and light.

If the water seems muddy or foggy, replace it with clean, chlorine-free water at room temperature.

• Wait One Month

It takes about a month for your cutting to form roots. After around three weeks, you can see the roots growing at the plant’s base.

Allow them to grow for another week or so before replanting.

• Plant Your New Rooted Cutting

Plant your newly rooted cutting in damp potting soil and maintain it uniformly moist for the first two months to let the roots to take hold.

After three months, start fertilizing with Ficus Lyrata Plant Food on a regular basis.

How fast do Ficus Lyrata grow?

There are a multitude of factors that affect the growth rate of a Ficus Lyrata tree.

While it has to be maintained much like other houseplants, they grow slower than most species.

New growth occurs at the plant’s tips, as it is its natural habit to grow upright and away from its center (unlike most plants).

Most new growth occurs in the spring, but fiddle-leaf figs can continue to produce smaller buds throughout the year.

This Ficus is a slow growing plant that may take up to 10 -15 years to mature, but after 3 or 4 years of development, it begins to resemble an appealing tree-like decorative house plant.

Does Ficus Lyrata need to be fertilized?

The Ficus Lyrata, like other plants, requires fertilization during the growth season.

This implies that you may begin fertilizing your Ficus Lyrata in March-April and continue to do so once a month until October. I use a diluted complete houseplant fertilizer to fertilize mine.

It is critical to read the directions before applying a new fertilizer. You don’t want to over-fertilize your houseplants, so stick to the instructions on the bottle.

What should I do if the leaves are turning brown or the plant seems to be dying?

A few lost leaves aren’t cause for concern, and it’s worth checking before becoming very concerned.

A fiddle leaf fig that is new to an area may require some time to acclimate. This might cause some leaf loss, but as long as you take care of the plant, it should go away.

If this has been a long-standing issue or you’re starting to notice brown areas, it’s best to respond swiftly in case it’s a fungal condition, such as root rot.

Check to check whether the plant is overwatered and that it is draining properly. Also, make certain that it is in a well-lit location.