Can Rubber Plants Be Grown in Water? A Detailed Guide to Hydroponic Methods
The rubber plant is a well-known potted foliage plant, also called rubber tree, Brazilian rubber, etc. It is a large tree of the genus Ficus in the family Moraceae. Many people do not know whether rubber plants can actually be grown in water. In fact, the hydroponic method for rubber plants is very simple, requiring no complicated steps, and can be done in just a few easy steps. Let's take a look together at the hydroponic method for rubber plants!
Can Rubber Plants Be Grown in Water?
Rubber plants can be grown in water, and with suitable nutrients they grow much faster than in soil. Rubber plant cuttings grown in water root in 1 to 1.5 months. In winter, the room temperature should not be lower than 5°C. If the room temperature is too low, you can wrap a plastic bag around the rubber plant, tie it tightly at the bottom, and place it in a spot with sunlight; it can basically overwinter safely.
Hydroponic Methods for Rubber Plants
For hydroponic growing of rubber plants, select a small soil-grown plant with a good shape and grow it in water using the root-washing method. Old roots are not easily rotted and can adapt to the hydroponic environment relatively quickly. You can also, from May to September, cut off robust growing shoot tips, remove the basal leaves, let the cut ends dry, and then place them directly in water for propagation. Because the canopy is relatively heavy, it is best to add ceramsite to the container, which both helps stabilize the plant and aids rooting.
Hydroponic Management for Rubber Plants
In the early stage of hydroponic growing of rubber plants, change the clean water once every 2 to 3 days. After two weeks, water roots gradually grow. When the plant has fully adapted to the hydroponic environment, move it to a spot with ample light, add foliage plant nutrient solution for care, and change the nutrient solution once every two weeks. Rubber plants like a high-temperature, humid environment with ample light, with suitable growth at 22 to 32°C and an overwintering temperature above 8°C, and they have relatively strong shade tolerance. For hydroponic rubber plants, clean the container regularly. Hydroponic containers easily breed bacteria, so while changing the water, clean the inner walls of the container. Every two months, clean the roots of the rubber plant and prune old roots.