How to prune the Black King rubber tree
The web tells everyone about how to prune the Black King rubber tree and the introduction of the pruning time and techniques of rubber trees in the aspect of green plants and flowers. The following is a detailed introduction for you.
The rubber tree is a type of leaf-viewing plant that is commonly kept in homes. Its leaves are relatively large, with a very high luster on the entire leaf surface, and it has strong drought resistance, making it relatively easy to care for. However, we don't just keep the rubber tree for ornamental purposes; we want to cultivate a beautiful shape, which is the most attractive. Most people want to grow the rubber tree into a large tree shape, with dense and lush foliage, which is the most beautiful. This requires us to prune it regularly, but pruning the rubber tree must remember its most suitable pruning time. Pruning should involve only three types of branches to grow a lush, large tree. Let's briefly introduce this to everyone today.
1. Do not prune in winter
We need to understand the conditions required for the growth of the rubber tree. As long as the temperature does not drop below ten degrees, it can grow slowly. If the temperature is continuously above 15 degrees, it can grow normally and rapidly, even if the temperature exceeds 30 degrees in summer. Therefore, this is its optimal growing temperature. Since it is a plant from the south, the higher the temperature, the faster it grows. So, when we keep it at home in winter and the temperature is low, we should not prune it.
Some flower friends say that the indoor heating in winter can reach 20 degrees. Should we prune it then? During winter, indoor ventilation cannot be opened, and watering should be done cautiously, which weakens its growth. Some flower friends even dare not fertilize it. Therefore, during this period, we should not prune it, whether the temperature is suitable or not. It's best not to prune in winter, ensure it gets light, reduce watering, stop fertilizing, and let it safely pass the winter. In spring, summer, and autumn, if you can ensure good ventilation, sufficient water, and pruning can be done at any time. After pruning, new buds will grow.
2. Inner buds
When we prune the rubber tree, it will grow multiple new buds from the remaining trunk after each pruning. The direction of the new buds is different. We find that the buds growing upward or outward are retained, but if they grow斜着 towards the trunk, these inner buds should not be retained. Keeping these buds will cause them to grow inward, which will eventually intersect with the inner branches and affect the growth of other branches.
Moreover, when the inner branches grow upwards and become tall, they will block the entire branch and leaves, affecting the overall shape of the plant. Since these branches are shaded by sunlight, they will grow weak and thin. The plant not only looks unattractive but also consumes unnecessary nutrients, which is counterproductive. Therefore, it is essential to remove these inner buds as soon as they appear to prevent nutrient consumption and affect the growth of subsequent branches.
3. Trunk buds
Usually, we cultivate the rubber tree as a large tree shape. It has a single trunk, and the buds growing on the trunk should also be removed promptly. Remember, it's the thick trunk because when it grows to a certain height, we need to pinch the top, after which it will grow lateral branches. After the lateral branches grow, we pinch the top again, and the branches become thicker. The new buds growing on these thick branches should not be retained. Only the buds growing on the freshly pruned branches are retained. These trunk buds, some at the bottom and some at the front of the pruned branches, will be supplied with nutrients first, affecting the nutrient absorption and rapid growth of the pruned branches. Therefore, remove the new buds growing on the bottom of the trunk and the thick trunk as soon as they appear.
4. Overlong branches
If you want to grow a certain shape of the rubber tree at home, you should prune it according to that shape. For example, if we want to grow it into a large tree shape with a very thick trunk and dense foliage with multiple branches, we should promptly cut the branches that affect the growth of the entire plant. These branches become ugly when they grow long, so cut them promptly to allow new branches to grow. Keep growing new branches, and after new branches grow, cut off two to three leaves to promote continuous new bud growth. When new buds grow densely and crowded together, they can form a lush appearance.
The rubber tree is relatively easy to care for, using small pots and well-drained soil. Keep it in the sunniest place all year round, ensuring the potting soil is almost dry before watering. Use a multi-element fertilizer every month, and it can grow normally. During the entire growth process, follow the pruning time as mentioned by Xiaoqi. Do not prune it when the temperature is low in winter. Under good growth conditions, remove the inner and trunk buds promptly, and then, based on the shape of the entire plant, cut the overlong branches promptly. During this pruning process, it will quickly grow new buds, and when the new buds grow to match the plant's canopy, they will become denser and more lush, which is the desired outcome. Then, when placed indoors for display, it will have greater ornamental value.
Is the above introduction on how to prune the Black King rubber tree and the pruning time and techniques of rubber trees clear to you?