The rubber tree is a relatively easy to grow shrub. Also, it is very common as an indoor plant. This is why we need all the details regarding the care and growth of this plant. Keep reading and see the essential care and growing tips for a rubber tree.
The rubber tree grows in the shape of a tree, which can also reach 25-30 meters in height. It originates from the tropical forests of Asia. Grown in pots, the rubber tree will not exceed two to three meters in height. Thus, it will be perfect for your apartment.
Let’s get into it.
The essential care tips for a rubber tree.
1. It is recommended to place the rubber tree in a lightened space. However, the plant must be sheltered from direct sunlight.
One thing is certain, the rubber tree is sensitive to cold and it requires temperatures of 12-15 degrees Celsius.
2. During warmer times, the pot can be moved out but must be protected from the very strong sunlight.
Thus, when you decide to move the plant to the balcony, it is advisable to do this gradually, waiting for the day-to-night temperature difference to be steady.
The best time for moving the plant is the end of the spring, early summer.
3. From April until September, the rubber tree needs to be watered regularly. Also, you need to make sure that the soil is well dry.
Watering is done with water at room temperature, whenever possible in the morning.
Excessive watering is harmful and leads to the fall of the leaves. With the coming of autumn, you should water it rarely.
Be careful! The rubber fig is not quite a lover of the dry climate and it is therefore recommended that the leaves be sprayed as often as possible with demineralized water to avoid the formation of spots. We don’t want those, do we?
4. During the vegetative period, you should add a specific fertilizer in the water used for watering every 15-20 days.
Regarding the soil, you should use a substrate rich in organic matter and very well drained.
5. Transplanting is done in the spring, every two years, until the plant becomes large enough to avoid as much as possible this operation. For this reason, it is recommended to use as large as possible pots.
6. Correction of height and branch stimulation is done by trimming executed in March.
Pruning of the rubber tree
A. Cutting
You should cut the young plants to help them grow densely and well structured. Thus, you will get a central core tree and many branches starting from it.
Cut 10-15 cm from the top of the main tree to help the branching expanding beautifully.
In the spring, trim all the weak buds, up to two-thirds.
B. Maintenance trimming
The rubber tree will grow well for many years, even if t is cut or not. However, shortening the previous season’s growth by about a quarter, late winter or early spring, will help develop a dense, balanced plant with a good tree of branches.
This is also a good way to prevent the plant from becoming too deformed. In the spring, when you are trimming one-third of all the too vigorous branches, it will prevent the plant from becoming unbalanced and tilted to one side.
C. Repair trimming
These plants can be cut quite harshly – often up to the main tree of branches to help the new growth repair. Remove all smaller branches (subtracted) and trim the branches that make up the tree up to 45 cm from the main stem.