Rumex pulcher aka Fiddle Dock

Taxonomy

Rumex pulcher, commonly known as fiddle dock, is a species of perennial herb in the knotweed family. It is native to Eurasia and North Africa but has been introduced as a roadside weed in North America. The plant can grow up to 70 centimeters in height and has oblong leaves with a narrow middle, giving it the shape of a fiddle. The inflorescence is made up of many branches, each with clusters of up to 20 flowers, and the plant blooms from June to July. While it prefers well-drained soil, it can tolerate light, medium, and heavy soils with a pH ranging from acidic to alkaline. However, it should be noted that Rumex pulcher may be poisonous. Cultural controls, such as hand removal and continual mowing, can help keep the weed under control. If hand removal is chosen, be sure to remove the seedhead from the ground before the weed can germinate, and properly dispose of the plant. For a more aggressive approach, a systemic herbicide can be applied while the plant is in-between budding and blooming in early fall. Fiddle Dock is also a rare houseplant that requires regular watering, well-draining soil, and direct light. It should be kept less than 1 foot from a window and does not require added fertilizers if repotted each time it doubles in size.

Common names

Fiddle Dock, Red Dock, Fiddle Leaf Dock

How to care for Fiddle Dock

Difficulty

Caring for Fiddle Dock is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Water

Fiddle Dock should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Fiddle Dock loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Fiddle Dock prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Fiddle Dock should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Fiddle Dock’s native range is Western Europe from Britain south and east to the Mediterranean, Hungary and the Balkans.


More info:
Wikipedia