[Cultivation Methods] How do you grow the indoor ornamental plant "rubber plant" so it grows fast? What is the correct way to fertilize it? How is it different from the black rubber fig?
The rubber plant is a relatively easy-to-manage indoor ornamental plant that can be placed anywhere in the home, but once it is indoors it needs our careful care. So how do you grow a rubber plant so it grows fast? What is the correct way to fertilize it? How is it different from the black rubber fig? The details are organized as follows:
1. How do you grow a rubber plant so it grows fast?
1. Soil conditions
The rubber plant is actually a plant that does not tolerate poor soil; if it grows in poor soil, its growth will be very slow or even stop. The rubber plant likes fertile, loose, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Growing a rubber plant in sticky soil is very unfavorable for its growth.
Therefore, we can prepare a pot of fertile soil for the rubber plant. We can use garden soil, leaf mold, wood chips and river sand to make a potting mix for the rubber plant. This soil has sufficient nutrients and is loose with good water permeability, making it more than suitable for growing rubber plants.
2. Temperature conditions
The optimal growing temperature for the rubber plant is between 18~28°C. It is not cold-tolerant; if the winter temperature is below 5°C, frost damage may occur. High summer temperatures will slow the growth rate of the rubber plant.
3. Light conditions
The rubber plant actually does not demand much light and is a relatively shade-tolerant plant. In a dark place its growth rate will slow, but in a short period the plant will not show poor growth such as leaf drop. If light is insufficient for a long time, growth stagnation and other problems will occur. In spring, autumn and winter, apart from the midday sun, it can be placed in the sun at other times, which is beneficial to its growth.
4. Nutrient conditions
As mentioned above, the rubber plant does not tolerate poor soil and likes fertility, so giving the rubber plant an appropriate supplement of nutrients can also promote its rapid growth. If nutrients are insufficient for a long time, it will not only inhibit its growth but also cause various poor growth phenomena. For example, insufficient nutrients lead to reduced disease resistance, making it prone to pests and diseases, and so on.
5. Watering conditions
The moisture level of the soil will also affect its growth rate, so when watering daily, do it promptly, and also keep the soil in a moist state. But in winter you must be careful not to let the soil become too wet, as root rot will occur.
6. Pruning conditions
Proper pruning can make the plant grow more vigorously. Pruning can be done in spring, cutting off pest- and disease-affected parts and weaker branches and leaves, which can reduce the loss of nutrients.
2. What is the correct way to fertilize a rubber plant?
1. Fertilizing in summer
The rubber plant grows very vigorously, so midsummer is exactly when the rubber plant grows rapidly. At this time its demand for water and nutrients increases, so we should increase the number of fertilizations, soaking decomposed cake fertilizer in water and then mixing it with a liquid fertilizer containing phosphorus and potassium to apply. In spring and autumn, fertilizing is generally done once every 3 weeks, while in summer it can be shortened to once every two weeks. When fertilizing, do it together with watering, which can make the rubber plant grow more healthily and vigorously.
2. Fertilizing in spring
For the rubber plant, when early spring arrives each year, tip the soil out of the pot and replace it to ensure the nutrient content of the base fertilizer in the potting soil. At this time the roots can be pruned, and then new soil can be chosen for repotting. If the rubber plant has grown relatively large, choose a slightly larger pot, which will be beneficial to normal growth. If you want the potted rubber plant to grow fuller, you can pinch it during the seedling stage to interfere with its growth and control its height at around 70 cm, which will make the planted rubber plant more attractive.
3. How is the rubber plant different from the black rubber fig?
Both are rubber plants, but the leaves of the black rubber fig are black, while the leaves of the rubber plant are green. The black rubber fig can grow side buds without pinching, while the rubber plant does not grow side buds without pinching.
4. The reasons why rubber plants always turn yellow and drop leaves are as follows:
1. Light must be sufficient.
Growth requires an environment with plenty of sunlight; when light is too little, yellow leaves and leaf drop often occur. I have a friend who grows a pot of black rubber fig on an open balcony, and it grows large, thick leaves that are very appealing.
2. The temperature must not be too low.
The suitable temperature for growth is between 20°C-30°C, and it grows most luxuriantly at 25°C-30°C. Below 10°C growth is poor, and below 0°C it is prone to frost damage. If the temperature is too low, yellow leaves and leaf drop will occur.
3. Watering must be appropriate
Like the ordinary rubber plant, the black rubber fig is not tolerant of waterlogging, and too much watering will cause yellow leaves and leaf drop. Watering should follow the principle of “dry and wet alternating”; do not water too frequently. Especially in winter, when it is in a semi-dormant state and growing slowly, water even less.
Summary: The above are the main points of rubber plant cultivation and care. I hope they can help you.