How to prune the rubber tree? Master these pruning methods

The rubber tree, also known as the rubber plant, Brazilian rubber, etc., is a large tree of the genus Ficus in the Moraceae family. It is native to Brazil and is now widely cultivated in tropical regions of Asia. It has high ornamental value and is very suitable for indoor decorative arrangements. Small and medium-sized plants are often used to beautify living rooms and studies, while medium and large plants are suitable for placement on both sides of the entrance halls and in the center of lobbies of large buildings. Let's take a look at the pruning methods for the rubber tree!

The pruning season for the rubber tree

Pruning the rubber tree should pay attention to "prune branches in winter, control side branches in summer." That is, in winter, heavily prune strong trees and lightly prune weak trees, with the focus on removing upright, strong competing branches from the base. For rubber tree pruning in summer, heavily control strong vigorous branches, control the strong and keep the weak, adjust the tree vigor to a balanced state, and master the principles of pinching the tops of strong side branches, heavy pruning of strong branches, light pruning of weak branches, and keeping more small branches, so as to achieve the pruning goal of highlighting the main trunk and promoting faster tree growth.

The pruning height for the rubber tree

The pruning cut on the rubber tree should be smooth, and cracking of the bark must be strictly prevented. The stubble height should preferably be 1-2 cm. Too high or too low will affect wound healing and tree growth. The best pruning seasons for the rubber tree are early spring, or late autumn and winter. Early spring is best before the sap starts flowing. If pruning is done when the tree is sprouting, the tree body transpires quickly, loses water, and consumes more nutrients, which is not conducive to tree growth. If pruning the rubber tree in summer, be careful not to prune branches on rainy days, so as to avoid the wounds being soaked in water and infected by diseases.

Pruning techniques for the rubber tree

In the shaping and pruning of the rubber tree, it is sometimes also necessary to highlight the growth of the main trunk or main branches and thin out overly dense branches or branches that affect the shape. The commonly used shaping and pruning methods to highlight the main trunk and main branches include bud removal and branch thinning. That is, remove the buds that have just begun to sprout, so as to inhibit the growth of side branches. The principle is to eliminate the growth of side branches at the budding stage, so that nutrients are concentrated to supply the growth of the main branches. That is, use pruning shears to cut off branches from the base of the branch. This is often used to thin out overly dense branches. Branch thinning is a remedial measure for bud removal, that is, because bud removal was not timely, side branches have already formed, and in order to strengthen the growth of the main trunk or meet the needs of shaping, some excess side branches are thinned out.

Pruning and care for the rubber tree

After pruning the rubber tree, in order to prevent excessive loss of milky sap from the cut and affect survival, the wound should be promptly coated with plant ash. Insert the prepared cuttings into a cutting bed with river sand or vermiculite as the substrate. After insertion, keep the cutting bed at relatively high humidity, and frequently sprinkle water on the ground (but do not let water accumulate), so as to increase air humidity. At a temperature of 18-25°C and under semi-shaded conditions, roots can form in about 2-3 weeks.