Notching A Ficus | How and when to promote branching on a rubber tree

Aloha! Join me as I explain the three methods to promote branching on a Ficus tree of any kind, including Fiddle Leaf Figs, in order to create a more bushy plant appearance. I also show you step by step how to use the notching method to create side shoots using my own Ficus elastica as an example. Along the way, I cover the pros and cons of the various methods, the success rates with each method, and provide useful tips and tricks for improving the success rate when using notching. This same notching method can be applied to any woody stemmed plant to create a fuller looking houseplant. 🪴
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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
0:30 About Ficus plants
1:35 Best time of year to promote branching on a Ficus
2:07 Making sure a plant is ready for branching
2:46 Methods of Ficus branching: Pruning
4:18 Methods of Ficus branching: Pinching off new growth
5:24 Methods of Ficus branching: Notching
6:59 Items needed for notching a Ficus
8:26 How to decide where to notch your Ficus plant
11:43 How to make a notch in your Ficus plant
13:42 Post Ficus notching care tips for increased success
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"Aloha Plant Life" is a channel produced by me, Drea Williams, featuring all things plants. The purpose of this channel is to educate, entertain, and discuss anything and everything related to plants. I believe everyone is capable of having a "green thumb", so let me help you find yours while having some fun along the way.
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#branching #plantytips #alohaplantlife #notching #plantcare #planty #plantlife #houseplants #plants #plantchannel #plantpeople #ficus #urbanjungle #tropicalplants

[@christiyadron639]

This is THE BEST explanation/demonstration of notching ficus that I've found. I have a healthy fiddleleaf ficus that I have been wanting to notch so that it will be fuller. And you have given me the confidence I was lacking! Unfortunately I have noticed how large the leaves are and they take up so much room, so I've decided not to notch it, since that will make it more bulky in an already cramped space. Oh well. I'll have to miss out on the fun of notching. But maybe on another plant--someday.

[@AlohaPlantLife]

It’s good you’re thinking about the space though! A single branch ficus can look fabulous in a smaller space.

[@melaniebruno4632]

I agree totally!

[@joisseessoij8155]

To save some time, start at 12:05 of the video🙃

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Hi Everyone! Just wanted to drop another quick branching update. I was just watering my ficus tineke when I noticed the bud of a branch finally starting below one of the notches I made in the video 🤗 AND it is in the spot I was most hoping for it to develop ❤️ I’m going to let it get more grown in before filming the results video for you all, but I just wanted to pop in here and let you all know that it did work!

[@princepalmer3329]

Look forward to seeing this. Might be on here now as you posted this four months ago. So happy I came across your Vidio.

[@cristycreates2887]

That's awesome I'll look for the update video Thank you! 😊 Is a rubber tree plant in the Ficus family? My daughter has one that's so tall and growing sideways (It is one long stem and looks leggy)...can I do the same thing with it?

[@AlohaPlantLife]

@@cristycreates2887 Yes, the scientific name for the rubber plant is Ficus elastica.

[@swtmya]

Where’s the updated video of branching results?

[@lynneastcliff8234]

@@swtmya That is what I am looking for, also.

[@yveeriksson7437]

I tried this method on my Ficus about 1-2 month ago. I had no expectations. The plant had been losing leaves one after one and the plant was about to seeing the inside of the waste bin. So, nothing to lose. I did like you showed, made 3-4 notches in the stem. Miracle!!! There are sprouting several new leaves on the stem, at different levels. I think there are 1-2 more sprouts than I made notches. So thank you! That was the best plant advice ever :D

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Yay!!💚 So glad I could help!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

For everyone wondering when I'm going to do the follow-up video on notching my two ficusses.........so shortly after I filmed the notching a ficus video both of my ficus got spider mites (ugh). They live next to each other so not surprised they both got them at the same time, but with all the treatments I've been giving them to get rid of the spider mites (which I think are finally gone as of this week) I think that plus just having spider mites in the first place caused either a delay in branching or maybe even a failure to branch. My plan is to give them two more weeks to recover from all the spider mite nonsense and if they haven't started branching by that time then I'm going to try notching them again in different places since they will finally be healthy again. But don't worry, there will still be a follow-up video for you on notching in the future. And as for how they got spider mites in the first place, that is a very interesting story that I will be telling you all about in an upcoming video on how to get rid of and prevent houseplant pests :)

[@barrymeadows6853]

This has been the best explanation of pruning versus notching and you had such a fun way of explaining and creating visual aids! Great video!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Thank you so much!! 😊

[@lynnmahar6915]

I love how thorough you are. Super video and you addressed those of us who are nervous about injuring our plant. LOL! Truly! You are a good teacher.

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Thank you!💚

[@_pimmie]

This is the most helpful video on branching a ficus I could find on youtube. Thank you so much for such a detailed instruction! I'm now so much more confident to notch my ficus audrey!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You’re welcome!

[@wolfitgood]

Started watching plant videos last year.... your videos are the best Ive found. The tips and info that we need, great explanations abs demonstrations without all the fluff. Thank you!!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Thank you so much!

[@harrydavis6903]

Great tutorial. Very informative for us rubber plant owners. Thank you.

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You’re welcome!

[@gvieveh101]

This was so helpful! I was nervous about doing this with my rubber tree, but now I feel like I understand the process more, and your demonstration was exactly what I needed to see. Thank you!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@marypramilaram2488]

Thank u. U covered everything I need to know in the most simple and systematic way so it's a learning. God bless.

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You’re most welcome!

[@farhatanzin1382]

Thank you so much for your detailed description and demonstration.

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You’re very welcome!

[@tanyacanam6258]

Absolutely the best information/explanation. The best! Thank you so much. So many shoddily researched 'experts' sharing 'information' out there!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Glad it was helpful!💚

[@obiwanWasabi]

Very clear instruction

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Thank you!

[@sakurakhadag]

This is the best video I've seen on notching and pinching.

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@babyblue1109]

Super helpful! Thank you!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You’re welcome!

[@Robert_A_Keyboards4948]

Nice video! I like this, I will try this! I have a new rubber plant, so it will be awhile before I try this I want to make sure my plant is comfortable in it's new home before I start notching on it!!!!!!!!!

[@PiaC67]

I have a fiddle leaf I need to notch this was great. Thanks

[@agustinfuchs3703]

Thank you! This was very helpful!! Southen hemisphere here, so I'll wait until the spring beggins here, but I will definetely try this method on my ficus tineke. I hope your channel grows big!!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Glad I could help!

[@nataliemintz6507]

I took a cutting from a friend's ficus years ago and just stuck it into some dirt. It didn't grow very much until I had a window with eastern exposure. Now it's about 3.5 feet tall, and at least 3 of those feet was just in the last year or so!! It has new growth at the top, but I want it to get branchy. Thanks for the explanation and demo!

[@melg8475]

This was so good! you are a great teacher!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Thank you!

[@fiiiigs_kk]

This is very helpful information. Thank you 🇯🇵

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You’re very welcome ☺️

[@princepalmer3329]

Really really informative. I've just purchased a tineke and the notching method looks brill.Ive never come across this before. Love the selfcare warnings of skin reaction too. Will certainly be following and watching more of your Vidio. THANKYOU.

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You’re welcome!

[@kevinmoore4237]

You're exceptionally good at explaining stuff. Mil gracias.

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Thank you!

[@MsStephers]

Great tutorial!! Thank you so much.

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You’re welcome💚

[@hotstuff697]

The plant heals itself by promoting new growth. Awesome.

[@yoomaybro]

Thank you for sharing.

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You’re welcome!

[@nur-ehafsa7525]

Very informative.

[@maryjoanneecogana7744]

Wow so beautiful rubber plants

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Thank you!

[@kimgraham7742]

Thank you for this video. It’s definitely helpful to me. The lower leaves fell off my ficus burgundy. It was bushy and now it’s leggy so I will create some notches but I will wait till spring because it’s winter right now and very cold

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Glad it helped!

[@kimberlykhabeer7933]

Thank you for this very informative video. Had never heard of this.

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You’re welcome ☺️

[@Okispider]

did you do an update on the notching?

[@efranco2268]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You are welcome!

[@MyPlantWorld]

Very well explained

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Thank you!

[@plantitude8042]

I agree with a lot of others, that this was the best tutorial on notching I've seen. I actually did try this last summer on my fiddle but only 1 spot & it didn't work (I think I didn't notch deeply enough). I then air layered it & that worked out beautifully (it had lost its lower leaves due to getting too much sun in the spot I put it outside). I have others that I'm going to be braver with now, thanks so much for the video. And I thought it was the perfect length, btw.

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Thank you!

[@andymujal6103]

Very nice looking rubber tree

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Thank you!

[@lauramarces8841]

Thanks Mam Aloha for the technique you share love 💕 you!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You’re welcome!

[@sharonbrown2753]

​@@AlohaPlantLife chip jhu

[@jzjzjjz896]

Thank you!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You're welcome!💚

[@Kyle-ch2nk]

Good info thank you!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Glad it was helpful!💚

[@happinessinleaf]

Thanks 😊. Happiness in leaf 🍃 vlog

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You’re welcome!

[@gardeningkutumba6206]

Nice information

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Thanks!

[@iapprove8392]

Hi. Great video and explanation on how to make your rubber tree branch out. Do you have a follow up to this video?

[@dr.girlfriend]

Very helpful video! I'd love to see the follow-up if you have one.

[@ArnoldQMudskipper]

15:37 Any links to the follow-up video?

[@TheC3.]

I have pruned my large Tineke hoping it would fork. But it didn't; it grew a new branch in the same direction, just awkward looking. Now I know why!

[@rebeccamcpherson3433]

Thanks for posting a great video with so much info! My daughter wanted to help me with notching and she accidentally notched above the leaf node but off to the side. Can it produce if it's not done directly over the node?

[@AlohaPlantLife]

It could still work💚

[@tracymayo7954]

Just found your page and was looking for the updated Video on the notching. Found the video of the full care but not the video you mentioned you were going to make with all parts combined...have you posted the update to notching them yet?

[@AlohaPlantLife]

I have not posted the post notching video yet because the branch is still super tiny and I want it to be more obvious how it turned out. I tried filming it with the branch as it is now, but when I was watching it back, it just is hard to tell what’s happening, so once it gets bigger I will re-record it and post it.

[@Aztecs911]

Excellent explanation and presentation. I like that you don't fill your video with unneeded fluff. All straight info. One question. I get the issue of taking the nodes into account when doing this. Do you have view regarding the left location when doing this. Meaning some plants have staggering leaf or opposing leaf patterns. Do you think the left location makes a difference on new branching or is it all on the nodes?

[@AlohaPlantLife]

I may be slightly confused on the question so I’m going to give my best answer based on what I think you’re saying. So ideally, if you have a spot where a leaf used to be you would want to notch right above where the leaf used to be connected at. Not only will that be right above a node but also right above an auxiliary bud and it will help fill in the gap where the leaf fell off. However, you can still notch above a node that doesn’t have a missing leaf because nodes will still have auxiliary buds regardless. For best results you want to notch above the auxiliary bud. So if said bud is on the left for a particular node then you’d be notching on the left side and if it’s on the right side for a different node then you’d be noticing on the right side. Does that make sense and is that what you were asking?

[@Aztecs911]

@@AlohaPlantLife Got it. The answer was better put than my question. Again your style of presentation is excellent. Keep it up.

[@ma-igarcia3061]

Where can I find the update of the notching?

[@liztovar]

Thank you for the notching explanation, I want to know if I can spare some cinnamon in the notched place????

[@AlohaPlantLife]

It’s funny you mention this, as I was literally getting ready to experiment using rooting hormone when notching to see if increases success rate. I’ve heard cinnamon can be used as rooting hormone but I’ve never tried it, so I can’t really recommend it never having done it. I will be using Bontone II Rooting Powder in my experiment. If you do try the cinnamon let me know if it works!

[@fwuteloop]

great tutorial! can we do this even if our tree hasn't developed a woody stem yet? Mine is pretty tall, almost 17inches, but the woodiness has only reached the first node from the bottom.

[@AlohaPlantLife]

In my experience you really need to wait until it gets more mature and woody

[@fwuteloop]

@@AlohaPlantLife thanks!

[@lyndawalton3331]

Thank you for your demonstration, nice and clear and concise. My question is can I cut badly damaged leaves off? Then notch from bottom to top. Will new growth begin? First few years bad light, overwatered, so leafs burnt, curled and brown. New growth at top of tree though.

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Absolutely can remove any bad leaves! Right above where you remove those leaves will be excellent places to notch. I would just wait a day or two after removing the leaves before notching right above them so it’s not too many shocking things to one area at once. I actually just did this same thing on one of mine after removing two older leaves that were reaching the end of their natural leaf life.

[@lyndawalton3331]

@@AlohaPlantLife oh excellent, thank you so much for your advice and your reply. I live in the U.K. and it’s mid spring now, so I will do the notching above the removed leaves now. We moved house and our Ficus is much happier, plus we have now got a moisture metre to check the pot for correct watering. 👍🏻🙏🏼

[@janicelindegard6615]

If the plant needs repotting, would you repot first or notch then repot?

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Hi Janice, excellent question! It depends on how badly it needs to be repotted. If it’s not in dire need, I would notch first and wait to repot until you have an inch or so of new branch growth. If it is in dire need, I would repot first and then wait 3-4 weeks before notching. Repotting and notching both cause a certain level of trauma to your plant. Doing them too close together could be too confusing for your plant and decrease your chances of success with your notching efforts.

[@MatyaKatya]

Oh dear. The actual notching takes place on the 14th minute. And no one mentions that a notch above the bud (not just empty space) will promote growth of the bud, and notching beneath a brunch or a bud will slow the growth of the same brunch or bud. Cheers everybody.

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Your comment makes no sense, as where you notch is between two buds. So it is simultaneously both above and below a bud. And why would I notch before explaining to you about the process and how to do it? That could lead to disastrous results for people.

[@Believeflower]

Salam kenal untuk semua 🙏

[@nikkishism]

What if its woody at the bottom but not the top half? can it be notched? Great video!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Yes but only notch in a woody part

[@rekhapatel3775]

Can we apply this technique on plumeria?

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Plumeria grow in a different and somewhat unique way so I’m not sure this would work for them. My plumeria has done a pretty good job of just branching out on its own honestly.

[@aub_k2819]

I have a ficus alii. Do you think these principles apply to this type of ficus too?

[@AlohaPlantLife]

It should! As long as it’s a woody stemmed plant it should work.

[@justinechalman]

I just repotted my plant.. It is pretty tall! So now I want to notch it. Can I trim a couple leaves off the bottom? and should I wait a bit so It isn't in shock?? Thanks!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Yes you can trim some leaves off the bottom but I would give it at few weeks to adjust from repotting before notching it

[@rebeccamcpherson3433]

Witch fertilizer should I use for rubber trees?

[@AlohaPlantLife]

This is what I use: www.amazon.com/dp/B002LFEQ6G?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzan061ad3-20&creativeASIN=B002LFEQ6G&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.2MJTJE3FMRF0I&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_m_asin

[@florenciamarasco2117]

Hey there! I just want my ficus elastica to get new leaves, not branches. Do you think that could be done by notching and then pruning the new growth so it doesn't get to the develop the branch?

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Hi! You are literally the second person to ask me this exact question in the last hour! Unfortunately, these plants won’t grow new leaves back where old leaves were lost. Notching above where the old leaves were is your best bet for getting new growth, but odds are that the new growth will be a branch (though sometimes plants surprise us and do something we don’t expect). If you were to notch and then continually prune the new growth maybe that could work? But my concern with that would be if continually doing that is too traumatic to the plant then you could lose the new leaf there. And once that happens, you won’t be able to get anything else to grow in that spot again.

[@florenciamarasco2117]

@@AlohaPlantLife Well that makes sense. Thank you so much for such a prompt response!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

@@florenciamarasco2117 You’re welcome!

[@kristiemowry3267]

is this similar to air layering?

[@AlohaPlantLife]

No, air layering is WAY more complicated. This is just getting a plant to branch. Air layering is a form of propagation that basically involves growing a new plant off a branch of the mother plant in some type of growing medium. In air layering, you’re encouraging roots to grow from the cut section into the growing medium you’ve wrapped around the cut. With notching, you’re encouraging the auxiliary bud below where you notch to activate and thus grow a new branch. Hopefully that makes sense 🙃

[@manethsenarathne7165]

Hey… im from sri lanka… did u notch same plant at 2 places? Can we notch same plant by many places… i mean around 3 notches at once?

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Hi! Yes, depending on the size of the plant you can do 2-4 at a time since there’s typically only a 30% - 50% success rate for each notch you make. So, you could do 3 notches but only one might actually branch or you could get lucky and all three branch if that makes sense. Just make sure you’re not getting the notches too close together if you’re doing multiple ones so that you don’t accidentally weaken the stem to the point that it breaks off.

[@abdulrazakalafandi1458]

You said to wait until it is brown. Does this apply for Banyan Tree (Ficus benghalensis)?

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Yes💚

[@sashareiko]

Do you notch right above or below a node? Or does it not matter?

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Technically, no, it doesn’t matter because above one node is right below another💚

[@oscarpalm4863]

Update on the results?

[@Bananabread8]

is there an update? thanks

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Hi, I’ve been giving updates periodically in other videos. It started branching but it sure has been a slow growing process and I tried filming the update video but is so small still you can’t tell it’s a branch and not just like a leaf bud. I also accidentally snapped the top growth point off about a month ago when moving it to water it, which triggered a branch at the top and that one is growing way faster so I feel like now it’s putting all its energy into that branch instead of the other one 😩. It’s highly frustrating when I’ve been waiting to film the follow up video. But a lot of you guys have been sharing your success stories with me too. I really wish people could share pics in the comments on here so everyone could see everyone else’s plants

[@shivampatel-of1bc]

Please show the results too!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

I plan to! Unfortunately, both of these plants are currently in quarantine due to spider mites 🙄. Fingers crossed that we will be rid of the pests soon.

[@shivampatel-of1bc]

@@AlohaPlantLife I too am sick of spider mites. It's hot in my country 40°C so they are lots of spider mites. I spray cold water on them. How are you dealing with them?

[@AlohaPlantLife]

@@shivampatel-of1bc I start off by giving them a good spray down with water too. Then after they are dry I spray them down with either End All or Captain Jacks Dead Bug Brew. Though, I’m not convinced either of those products are actually working. Tomorrow I’m actually planning on making my own natural homemade spray and trying that out. If it works I will definitely make a video about.

[@shivampatel-of1bc]

@@AlohaPlantLife try neem oil too! All the best!

[@sailorPinata]

no results ? :(

[@lynneastcliff8234]

Where is the follow-up video?

[@AlohaPlantLife]

It’s coming, just taking time to grieve right now💚

[@drrajanimanglawat9246]

You should keep it short dear, but it's very helpful

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Glad you found it helpful! I actually take extra time to timestamp all my videos so people can easily jump to the specific part they’re interested in if they don’t have time to watch the full video. I know sometimes we’re all in a rush (myself included) but I also don’t want to not include other information on the subject that others may be interested in knowing 🙂

[@wolfitgood]

I thought it was perfect. Thank you for your time and energy you give us doing those extra steps to make finding information even easier ❤️

[@justfacts7632]

You need to invest in a mic or talk louder please. Tq

[@AlohaPlantLife]

I was using a mic but this was the first video I used it on and I decided I hated it afterwards and returned it💚

[@nward6727]

There was way too much talking. Get to the action lady!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

If I don’t talk how would you understand and know what to do/not do?

[@obiwanWasabi]

Very clear instruction

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Thank you!