How to maintain rubber trees in winter
As a popular indoor leaf-viewing plant, the maintenance of rubber trees in winter often makes flower lovers difficult. When the temperature falls below 10℃, the leaves are prone to burnt edges, curling and even falling off. This article will systematically analyze the five core maintenance techniques to help your rubber tree keep its shiny leaves in the cold winter and survive its dormant period safely. Environmental control: The implementation of the dual thermal insulation strategy of temperature and light balance adopts the "three-layer protection method": when the temperature at night is lower than 5℃, first wrap the basin wall with felt, then cover the plants with transparent plastic film, and finally place them in a foam incubator. Pay special attention to avoid direct heating. A humidifier should be used in the air-conditioned room to maintain 40% humidity. The efficient utilization plan of light energy follows the "Golden 4 Hours" principle: choose a south-facing bay window to ensure direct light from 10:00 to 14:00 every day. Using a rotating tray to rotate 45° a week, combined with foliar cleaning spray, the photosynthetic efficiency can be increased by 30%. Water and fertilizer management: The intelligent watering determination method for key points of precise control and maintenance implements the dual verification of "bamboo stick detection + pot weight comparison": After the bamboo stick inserted into the pot soil 2/3 deep and left to stand for 10 minutes, if only 1cm of the tip is slightly moist and the pot is reduced by 1/3, choose to slowly pour it through with warm water at 25℃ along the pot edge at noon. Scientific fertilizer stop time window When the continuous low temperature at night is less than 15℃, the fertilizer stop procedure is started. Slow-release fertilizer with 40% phosphorus and potassium should be used for the last fertilization in autumn to help accumulate winter nutrients. Special reminder: 500 times liquid fertilizer can be applied every month if the heating room continues to be above 20℃. Safety protection: Guidelines for responding to special situations, the ventilation schedule adopts the "321 Ventilation Method": open windows for 30 minutes on sunny days from 10:00 to 11:00, open windows for 20 minutes at noon, and open windows for 10 minutes from 14:00 to 15:00. During the cold snap, use an internal circulation system and use a micro fan to maintain air flow. Treatment of abnormal symptoms refers to leaf drooping: check whether heating has caused the basin soil to be too dry; if brown spots appear, check whether cold wind is blowing directly; when the number of leaves at the base increases, immediately check whether water is accumulated in the root system. It is recommended to keep 3-5cm of aerial root for standby cutting.
Through precise control of temperature, light, water and fertilizer, and scientific protective measures, rubber trees can maintain a leaf integrity rate of more than 85% even in the severe cold areas of the north. Remember the key to "three controls and one guarantee"-temperature control, water control, fertilizer control, and light protection. When spring is warm and the flowers bloom, your rubber tree will surely repay your careful maintenance with a more lush attitude.