How to propagate a rubber plant? A full breakdown of the common propagation methods

The rubber plant (Ficus elastica) is a very well-known potted foliage plant, extremely common in the major cities of the north, and there are also many varieties of rubber plant. Among them, the golden veined broadleaf rubber plant is an excellent cultivar. So how exactly are rubber plants propagated? Let me tell you about it.

Rubber plant

For home cultivation, cuttings and air layering are generally used for propagation. In the Yangtze River basin, April to September each year is the most suitable period. If cuttings are taken in spring or summer, choose vigorous branches from the previous year on the upper or middle part of the plant as cuttings. When taking cuttings in autumn, it is best to choose vigorous new branches of the current year as cuttings. The specific steps are: cut off the branch to be used as a cutting, remove the tender tip at the top and the leaves at the bottom, keep the middle leaves, and cut the retained leaves in half. To reduce evaporation from the leaf surface, it is best to roll the leaves into a tube and pass a small wooden stick through the tube, then insert it into the soil to prevent the cutting from falling over. In addition, the cut ends of the cutting should be immediately sealed with plant ash or peat soil to prevent too much milky sap from leaking out and lowering the survival rate. The depth for inserting the cutting is generally 3 cm-4 cm; too deep and it will rot, too shallow and it will easily fall over. The rooting medium is generally fine sand. After inserting, keep the sandy soil moist and place it in a shady spot with scattered light, and be careful not to let rain fall on it. After cutting, roots generally form after about one month. When lifting the seedlings for planting, try as much as possible not to shake apart the medium around the new roots, so as not to damage the roots and affect growth after planting. At home, air layering is more convenient and also has a high success rate. The method is: choose a two-year-old branch, first make a ring of bark removal 1 cm-1.5 cm wide on the branch, then wrap moist moss, peat soil, etc. around the wound, then wrap tightly with plastic film and tie both the upper and lower ends. Layer in June, and after rooting in July-August, cut it off and pot it.

How to grow a rubber plant

The rubber plant is an evergreen shrub native to India and Malaysia, and it is also cultivated in many places in China. The leaves of the rubber plant are very large and glossy, and the leaf shape is oblong or round. The upper surface of the rubber plant's leaves is dark green, and the underside is light green.

1. The rubber plant likes high temperatures and humidity and plenty of sunlight, tolerates moisture but not cold, and grows very quickly in a hot and humid environment. With sufficient fertilizer and water, it can grow one leaf in 5-10 days. Fertilize appropriately, once to twice a month.

2. It grows very well in strong sunlight. Although it likes strong sunlight very much, it can also grow well in low light indoors. When the plant grows to 50-80 cm, in order to promote growth and encourage side branches to sprout, you can pinch off the growing tip so the plant's shape becomes even.

3. Rubber plants can be propagated by cuttings and air layering. The simple method that also roots easily is cuttings. This method has a good survival rate and also grows quickly, and is generally done in late spring and early summer when pruning the plant.

4. Air layering is also very convenient. At home, choose a two-year-old branch, make a ring cut 1-1.5 cm wide on the branch, wrap it with moist soil, and after 1-2 months, once the branch has rooted, cut it off and plant it.

5. The rubber plant has very good ornamental value, with broad and beautiful leaves, making it a potted ornamental plant we like very much. Placed in the living room or study, it is a very tasteful ornamental plant and will bring you a very charming tropical scene.

Propagation methods for the rubber plant

The rubber plant has relatively high ornamental value and is a famous potted foliage plant, extremely suitable for indoor beautification arrangements. Small and medium-sized plants are often used to beautify the living room and study; medium and large plants are suitable for placing on both sides of the entrance hall of large buildings and in the center of the lobby, appearing majestic and spectacular and able to express a tropical scene. The rubber plant commonly uses two propagation methods: cuttings and air layering.

Propagation by cuttings is relatively simple, roots very easily and grows quickly. It is generally done in late spring and early summer together with pruning. Choose a woody middle branch of the current year as the cutting. Keep three buds on the cutting, cut off the lower leaf, bring the upper two leaves together and tie them with plastic, or cut half of the upper leaf off to reduce water evaporation. To prevent too much milky sap from the cut from being lost and affecting survival, promptly smear the wound with plant ash. Insert the prepared cutting into a cutting bed with river sand or vermiculite as the medium. After inserting, keep the cutting bed at relatively high humidity and frequently sprinkle water on the ground (but do not let water accumulate) to raise air humidity. At a temperature of 18-25°C and under semi-shade conditions, roots can form after about 2-3 weeks.

At home, air layering is also relatively convenient and has a high success rate. When air layering, choose a two-year-old branch, first make a ring of bark removal 1-1.5 cm wide on the branch; then wrap moist moss or peat soil, etc. around the wound, finally wrap tightly with plastic film and tie both the upper and lower ends; after 1-2 months, the rooted branch can be cut off and potted.