How to propagate a rubber plant by layering? Detailed method and steps explained
1. Timing
When doing this operation, you need to choose the right season, preferably the rainy season or summer, but the specific time needs to be on a sunny day.
2. Location
It is best to use a plant that is growing very vigorously; branches that have just grown aerial roots 1 to 2 cm long are the most suitable. Choose a brownish-red branch on top, then peel the bark at the lower part where it has grown aerial roots. There will be a raised point between the nodes on its stem; this is the primordium of the aerial root, and we need to induce it to grow tender roots. We need to know that the place where the bark is peeled must not be too tender, otherwise it is very easy for bacteria to infect it and it will directly rot, so everyone should pay attention to this.
3. Method
First we need to peel the bark. Use a knife to cut two rings around its stem, with a gap between the rings, and the gap should be three times the diameter of the branch and the slightly dried stem. Then we need to use a knife to pick out the bark in the middle, and afterward sprinkle charcoal powder on the wound, or wait for the sap at the wound to dry and then place a medium more than ten cm above it, or use only wet sand. One portion weighs 1 to 2 jin. After applying the soil, we need to wrap plastic sheeting around the wound, then wrap it well with cloth, and finally tie it tightly to prevent the water inside from evaporating. After tying it with rope, leave an opening so that water can be added later, or so it can receive rain on its own. If the branch is especially thin, we can prop up a wooden stick or bamboo pole beside it, and tie the soil ball to the stick or bamboo pole.
4. After layering
After layering, you cannot just leave it alone. We need to ensure that its plastic bag stays moist, and if the humidity is not enough, pour some water in through the slanted opening left open. After about 50 days, new roots will grow, and you can see that they are white. At this time, we need to cut the branch off from below the soil, then cut away the outer plastic bag, and then it can be planted in a pot.