How to care for a rubber plant for better growth
For many girls, the topic of how to care for a rubber plant and understanding the planting and precautions of rubber plants is as interesting as the topic of flowers and plants. Let's learn about it together next.
Many people may not have heard of the rubber plant, whose appearance does not resemble its name. It is not a soft tree like rubber, but a tall tree similar to a banyan.
In fact, the rubber plant is very easy to care for, preferring a warm and humid environment, making it more suitable for gardeners in the south. Its leaves are green and glossy, very beautiful, and highly ornamental. Moreover, placing it indoors can also purify the air. So how can you care for a rubber plant well? Let's take a look at these four aspects together!
One, Pot and Soil
Firstly, the pot and soil for the rubber plant. You can choose a slightly larger pot for the rubber plant as it grows very fast and has a well-developed root system. A small pot won't do. However, some gardeners may not want the rubber plant to grow too fast, as it may take up too much space, and they can use a smaller pot to inhibit its growth.
The rubber plant does not have high requirements for soil, but since it is a potted plant, the soil mixture can be slightly more sophisticated. Use a well-draining soil mixture of garden soil, decomposed leaf mold, and river sand in equal parts, and add a portion of organic decomposed fertilizer before potting to help the rubber plant grow better!
Two, Watering and Fertilizing
Next is watering and fertilizing. The rubber plant has strong drought resistance and does not require excessive watering. You can water a bit more during the growing season to promote faster and better growth. In the hot summer, water can be increased due to rapid evaporation, but in winter, when temperatures are low and evaporation is slow, the plant requires less water, so watering should be reduced to avoid burdening the roots.
How to care for a rubber plant for better growth
Also, the rubber plant is very fond of fertilizer. During the growing season, you can fertilize more, usually with a balanced compound fertilizer of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium every half month, which will make the leaves of the rubber plant greener and glossier. However, in winter, when temperatures are low and plant growth is slow, it's best not to fertilize and maintain slightly moist soil to help it survive the winter.
Three, Sunlight
Also, many people think that the rubber plant enjoys shade, but that's not true. The rubber plant loves sunlight. In the south, you often see rubber plants by the roadside, which are not afraid of wind and sun exposure and grow even more vigorously. Therefore, sufficient sunlight is very beneficial for the growth of rubber plants. Besides, except for placing them in a ventilated and shady place during the noon of summer, it's best to have full sun care at other times.
Four, Pruning
Pruning of the rubber plant usually starts from the seedling stage after potting. When it grows to 20-30 cm, it is necessary to pinch the top to promote more lateral bud differentiation. When the rubber plant grows to about one meter tall, you can prune the top part to avoid apical dominance, limit the height of the rubber plant, and maintain its beauty. Also, don't throw away the cut branches and buds. Use granular soil like river sand to propagate them, and they can survive in about half a month.
In summary, the rubber plant is a plant with high ornamental value and is easy to care for. Gardeners can all grow one pot at home, which is much better than green vines and hanging orchids!
The above is a comprehensive introduction on how to care for a rubber plant and understand its planting and precautions. I hope it brings some knowledge about green plants to green plant enthusiasts.