How to cultivate black rubber tree
Today, the editor will introduce how to cultivate black rubber trees and the correct maintenance points for rubber trees in the aspect of green plants and flowers. Let me give you a detailed answer below.
Also known as Indian rubber tree or rubber tree, black diamond rubber trees are native to India and Malaysia, and are now cultivated in various parts of our country. They are common ornamental trees and street trees in gardens and are very suitable for indoor decoration. Small and medium-sized plants are often used to decorate living rooms and studies, while medium and large-sized plants are suitable for arrangement on both sides of the entrance halls and in the central areas of large buildings. Let's take a look at how to cultivate black diamond rubber trees!
Growth habits of black diamond rubber tree
Black diamond rubber trees prefer a high temperature and humid environment with sufficient sunlight, with a suitable growth temperature of 20-25°C. They dislike direct sunlight and can tolerate shade but not cold, with a safe overwintering temperature of 5°C. They can tolerate dry air. They dislike sticky soil and are not resistant to infertility and drought, preferring loose, fertile, and well-drained slightly acidic soil.
Propagation methods of black diamond rubber tree
1. Cutting method: The cutting time is in late spring to early summer, which can be combined with pruning. The cuttings are usually selected from 1-year-old semi-woody middle branches, and the wounds should be sealed promptly with clay or草木灰. The length of the cutting should retain 3 buds, cut off the lower leaf, and bind the upper two leaves together with fine plastic绳. Then, plant them in a cutting bed with sand or frog stone as the substrate. After planting, maintain a high humidity in the cutting bed without waterlogging, with a suitable temperature of 18-25°C. Frequently sprinkle water on the ground to increase humidity and ensure shading and ventilation. Roots can form in about 2-3 weeks.
2. Layering method: Select 2-year-old branches of appropriate size, well-developed, and full of tissue. Make a mild ring-shaped incision about 1 centimeter wide at the intended soil covering position, apply 30-50ppm naphthalene acetic acid solution, then wrap the incised area with wet soil or a mixture of moss and hydrated vermiculite, and wrap it with plastic film, tying it tightly at the bottom and leaving a hole at the top for ventilation and watering. Pay attention to maintenance. Layering in June, and roots in July-August. After rooting, they can be cut and potted.
Cultivation methods of black diamond rubber tree
1. Reasonable fertilization: Black diamond rubber trees should be fertilized mainly with nitrogen fertilizer, supplemented with a small amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. You can use well-fermented soybean water or soybean cake water diluted for root irrigation, usually at a concentration of 20%. You can also use inorganic fertilizers like urea, but apply them sparingly and frequently, avoiding concentrated fertilization to prevent root burning.
2. Soil configuration: When potting black diamond rubber trees, use 1 part decomposed leaf soil, 1 part garden soil, and 1 part river sand, and add a small amount of base fertilizer to make the growing medium. In a high temperature and humid environment, they grow rapidly, producing a new leaf every 5-10 days, during which time it is necessary to ensure adequate fertilizer and water.
3. Light management: Black diamond rubber trees enjoy strong sunlight and should be placed in the sun for the entire growing season from spring to autumn, and in strong light during winter. However, they can also tolerate shade and grow well under low indoor light.
4. Temperature control: The suitable growth temperature for black diamond rubber trees is between 20-30°C, with the most vigorous growth at 25-30°C. Below 10°C, growth is poor, and below 0°C, they are prone to frost damage. If black diamond rubber trees indoors are exposed to cold winds, they will show yellowing and leaf dropping.
5. Timely watering: Black diamond rubber trees like water but cannot tolerate waterlogging. If waterlogging occurs, the roots will not get enough oxygen, leading to yellowing and leaf dropping. Watering should follow the "dry-wet" principle and not be too frequent. In winter, they should be kept indoors, watering once a week, and in summer, watering should be determined based on the weather and soil moisture.
6. Reasonable pruning: To ensure symmetrical growth and a good plant shape, the seedlings should be pinched when they reach a height of 50-80 centimeters to promote the growth of lateral branches. After the lateral branches grow, select 3-5 branches, and prune the lateral branches once a year. After 2-3 years, you can obtain large plants with a complete and full shape.
Pest control
① Leaf spot disease: If leaf spot disease is found on black diamond rubber trees, you can spray the leaves with carbendazim or polyoxysulfate 800 times solution once a week for 2-3 weeks to basically cure the disease.
② Anthracnose: Anthracnose is not easily detected in the early stage. At first, there are only brown spots on the leaves, and if not treated in time, they will quickly expand into patches, losing their ornamental value. If this disease is detected, spray the leaves immediately with carbendazim 400 times solution once a week for 3 consecutive weeks, which can usually cure the disease.
③ Root rot disease: Root rot disease is usually caused by infection with Rhizoctonia or Pythium in the soil or due to physiological diseases. Bacterial infections can be treated with dodine, geosmin, or pentachloronitrobenzene 500 times solution for root irrigation. Physiological diseases are mostly caused by overly heavy soil, excessive and frequent watering, and the roots being unable to breathe. Replace the soil with good drainage.
The above sharing on how to cultivate black rubber trees and the correct maintenance points for rubber trees, hoping to bring a little help to your life!