Fertilizer
A liquid fertilizer for tropical vegetation may be added in spring or summer time if wanted, in response to package deal instructions.
Cease fertilizing in fall and winter when progress slows considerably.
All the time water the plant earlier than fertilizing to forestall root burn, and sometimes flush the soil with plain water to forestall salt buildup from accrued fertilizer.
Container-grown rubber timber may be moved outside if temperatures are constantly above 50°F.
You should definitely place the tree in a protected place, and defend it from direct daylight.
Rubber timber may also be grown outside in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11 yr spherical.
Plant the tree in an space the place it receives oblique daylight and ample water, with good drainage.
Keep away from planting rubber timber close to sidewalks or foundations, as their robust roots can harm each.
Cultivars to Choose
There are a selection of stunningly distinctive types of rubber tree to select from, any of that are appropriate for container rising indoors.
Burgundy
This cultivar provides a real “wow” issue.
As ‘Burgundy’ matures, the leaves, branches, and trunks vary from the deepest inexperienced and burgundy to virtually black, typically with purple midribs and scarlet-sheathed new progress.
Doescheri
‘Doescheri’ is one other variegated selection.
It has leaves that function shades of creamy white, vibrant inexperienced, military grey, and yellow, mottled along with beautiful pink margins.
Robusta
This selection is most intently associated to the true species plant that grows natively in Asia and Indonesia.
The leaves are waxy, huge, and vibrant inexperienced to deep inexperienced in shade. The construction and shade of this cultivar is ideal for including a tropical contact to the house.
Ruby
Related in construction to different cultivars, ‘Ruby’ is ready aside by its distinctive coloration.
The leaves are rectangular and shiny, with a deep inexperienced to burgundy higher facet, and a pink to deep burgundy decrease facet.
The branches and trunk could be a surprising vibrant inexperienced, maturing to a deeper inexperienced or brown. New progress is sheathed in vibrant scarlet purple.
Tineke
One other variegated cultivar, ‘Tineke’ is much like different variegated rubber timber, with pink to burgundy midribs, sprouts, and leaf margins.
‘Tineke’
Vegetation are obtainable from Excellent Vegetation Nursery.
Tricolor
Younger vegetation of the ‘Tricolor’ selection have variegated cream and white leaves with splotches of pink to orange.
As this plant matures, the coloration leans extra towards inexperienced and cream, with huge, shiny leaves.
Upkeep
Controlling progress is essential for a rubber tree, whether or not rising indoors or outside, as these can change into massive and dense in excellent rising circumstances.
Prune again any limbs which can be reaching past the specified measurement and form of the tree.
Keep in mind that reducing the highest of the tree will set off outward progress, so solely do that if the peak is turning into a problem, and make sure you monitor undesirable branching and sprawling out.
Use a pointy software, corresponding to clear pruning shears or a backyard knife, and minimize simply sufficient of the department to keep up its form and measurement.
Reducing greater than is important may cause shock and set off leaf drop, and even kill the plant.
Get extra recommendations on pruning rubber tree vegetation right here.
It’s a good suggestion to repot each few years because the plant grows and including new potting medium will assist to maintain it nourished and wholesome.
Select a container that’s one to 2 inches bigger than the earlier pot.
Add a layer of soil on the backside, leaving house for the basis system so the highest of the roots might be positioned close to the extent of the rim.