u/Jessjess9803

I'm a new plant mom altogether and have already realized I'm a full-on addict. I've accumulated at least a dozen new plants in pretty short period of time. But I've wanted a Fiddle Leaf Fig the most, and for the longest. I decided to start small, and purchased a really pretty dwarf variety from Etsy. It arrived healthy and beautiful, and yes small. I have zero idea how big "Fiona" will get (that's her name 💚), or what to do to help her grow, or how to know if she's finished growing. She came with what looked like one little "bud" on top, which sprouted a new leaf on fairly quickly, and seemed like just a day or two later - another! And the new baby leaves have grown so quickly! Will this continue to happen this quickly?? She arrived with this stringy moss covering the soil, I didn't mess with it. I have no clue what to do but water and love her and give her plenty of light. I see other posts about people chopping their fiddles WAY down, which I think might feel like murder. 😭 When and why and where do I chop? Since she's new and young do I just let her grow for a while? Is there anything in particular that's done to make them bushier instead of taller? Are leaves ever removed from the bottom or do you cut off new growth only at the top?? (Again, makes me cringe to think about just yet, but trying learn what to expect as time goes on.) Your wisdom and experience is greatly appreciated!

I have a prayer plant that I got on Etsy last November. When I search for help with prayer plants there's another variety that's usually shown - different than mine - so idk what mine is exactly. (See pics.) I've heard they're finicky, but I have babied this thing nonstop and he's not responding. I think he looks otherwise healthy as far as the leaves but this guy is "leggy" and sparse and hasn't sprouted but one new leaf since I've had him, it's the lowest leaf and slightly curled. I know they are thirsty, I keep him well watered but not soggy, and on a tray with pebbles and water for extra humidity. This window faces exactly between east to the left and south to the right so it gets very sunny. I have cloth light-filtering blinds I pull if it's very sunny b/c that window gets bright morning sun and full-on midday sun. Sometimes I'll pull it back from the window just a couple feet so it doesn't get scorched, but it's always plenty bright. There were some browning leaves or leaves that looked damaged so I either trimmed them or cut back the ones that were pretty bad. There's only been either one or two leaves per "stem," and I cut down to where the stem splits into two leaves, if there were two. But now where I cut them just looks dried over and dead. Did I cut too far? Or shouldn't have cut? Or cut too much?
I feel like I did when my college-aged daughter was a newborn. You love them so much but realize you have absolutely no idea what you're doing. It's like a watched pot that never boils.....I come out to the dining room every morning "PRAYING" for even the slightest indication of new growth.
I'm at a loss. My kids are grown and don't need me, so I decided to buy a dozen plants. Brilliant. I LOVE them, but this is daunting, not gon' lie.
Any wisdom anyone can offer would be much appreciated!!

I have a prayer plant that I got on Etsy last November. When I search for help with prayer plants there's another variety that's usually shown - different than mine - so idk what mine is exactly. (See pics.) I've heard they're finicky, but I have babied this thing nonstop and he's not responding. I think he looks otherwise healthy as far as the leaves but this guy is "leggy" and sparse and hasn't sprouted but one new leaf since I've had him, it's the lowest leaf and slightly curled. I know they are thirsty, I keep him well watered but not soggy, and on a tray with pebbles and water for extra humidity. This window faces exactly between east to the left and south to the right so it gets very sunny. I have cloth light-filtering blinds I pull if it's very sunny b/c that window gets bright morning sun and full-on midday sun. Sometimes I'll pull it back from the window just a couple feet so it doesn't get scorched, but it's always plenty bright. There were some browning leaves or leaves that looked damaged so I either trimmed them or cut back the ones that were pretty bad. There's only been either one or two leaves per "stem," and I cut down to where the stem splits into two leaves, if there were two. But now where I cut them just looks dried over and dead. Did I cut too far? Or shouldn't have cut? Or cut too much?
I feel like I did when my college-aged daughter was a newborn. You love them so much but realize you have absolutely no idea what you're doing. It's like a watched pot that never boils.....I come out to the dining room every morning "PRAYING" for even the slightest indication of new growth.
I'm at a loss. My kids are grown and don't need me, so I decided to buy a dozen plants. Brilliant. I LOVE them, but this is daunting, not gon' lie.
Any wisdom anyone can offer would be much appreciated!!