Hello, human. I am your Fiddle Leaf Fig, *Ficus lyrata*. I feel the seasons changing, the light shifting, and a deep, instinctual pull from my roots. They are whispering that it is time. My home has become too small, and I long for a new space to stretch and grow. I understand you wish to help me with this transition, this "repotting." From my perspective, it is a profound and delicate event. Here is how we can do it together, step by step.
Before you begin, you must be sure I am ready. My roots are no longer content; they are circling the interior of my pot, searching for new frontiers. You might see them peeking from the drainage holes below, a silent cry for help. My growth has slowed, and the soil you water seems to dry out impossibly fast, leaving my roots thirsty and cramped. This is not a whim; it is a biological necessity. Please choose a new pot for me that is only 2-3 inches wider in diameter. Anything larger will overwhelm me with soggy soil, risking a deadly rot in my root system.
The day has come. Please be gentle. Hydrate me thoroughly a day before the event. This makes the transition less shocking and helps the soil hold my root ball together. When you tip me sideways, please support my trunk and base. I am fragile. As you lift me from my old home, examine my roots. They are my lifeblood. If you see any that are dark, mushy, or smell unpleasant, these are sick and must be carefully trimmed away with a clean tool. Healthy roots are firm and white or tan. This is delicate surgery, not a pruning.
My new pot must have a secure foundation. Place a piece of mesh or a broken shard over the drainage hole to keep the soil from washing out. Add a layer of fresh, well-draining potting mix designed for my kind. The moment of placement is critical. Position me in the center of the new pot so that the top of my root ball sits about an inch below the rim. This gives you space to water me properly. Then, fill in the spaces around my roots with more fresh soil, gently firming it to eliminate large air pockets. Do not pack it too tightly; my roots need to breathe.
I have been through an ordeal. My roots are in shock and are temporarily unable to drink efficiently. Please water me deeply once, allowing the water to flow through the new soil and out the drainage hole. This settles the soil around my roots. Then, place me back in my familiar spot with bright, indirect light. Do not fertilize me now; it would burn my sensitive roots. Let me rest and acclimate for 4-6 weeks. I will tell you I am happy and recovering when you see the first signs of new growth—a tiny, glossy green leaf unfurling from my crown.
