how to cut rubber tree

Prune the rubber tree if needed by cutting back unruly stems to a main limb. The next important step on how to propagate a rubber tree plant from cuttings is to take a good cutting from the tip of a vigorous rubber plant stem. Cut off branches just above a leaf or a leaf scar. How do I stop the white sap from dripping now that I have pruned my rubber plant? It’s easy, too: these agreeable plants are quite malleable You may have luck cutting the stem back to soil level and waiting for new growth, but it’s risky—the plant can only regrow if it has sufficient stored energy to maintain itself without photosynthesis while it produces new leaves. leaves on each branch of a larger plant. Though you can trim the plant into funkier shapes, there are two basic forms: a tall, slender tree with a single spire or a bushier, lower-profile shrub. Carefully remove the leaves from the cut piece. Keep a moistened paper towel handy to clean spilled Gently clean the leaves with a very soft cloth or sponge and warm water to keep them glossy. If sap dries on Water your rubber tree when the soil is slightly dry to the touch. Wear gloves You can cut straight across or at a 45º angle. The latex is harvested by slicing a groove into the bark of the tree at a depth of one-quarter inch (6.4 mm) with a hooked knife and peeling back the bark. Remove dead or damaged stems. How To Prune A Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica), 14 Indoor Smart Garden Ideas You Will Love, 15 Best Indoor Self Watering Planters That Really Work, Water them thoroughly when the top inch of soil dries out, learn more about the reasons why rubber plants lose leaves here. I've grown them from a few inches to almost 3' tall. leaf stem close to the trunk. The best cutting size is about six to eight inches long. As a bonus, the cuttings readily propagate. To get this all started, you can cut the trunk or stem (whichever you prefer to call it) straight across with clean, sharp pruners and either toss the top or root it in a light mix. Be aware that if you do not cut the top leaf or leaves off of your rubber plant, it will continue to grow. The sap can be caustic and messy, so you want to take precautions. You’ll need to prune side stems to stimulate To start the tapping, take a metal ribbon attached to a wooden lath 1.10 metres long. Two or more branches will grow at the cut end. Methodically trim the top and side branches to your chosen They can survive on lower illumination, but it’s not optimal. If you keep the cutting moist, there’s about a 50-50 chance it The branches need not to be cut at an angle. It is important that you use a sharp cutting tool. They can be tamed, strengthened, and shaped over time In early spring, remove up to 1/3 overall if necessary. Each requires the same set of tools and supplies. sets of leaves before each pruning. Pick three branches equidistant from each other and cut them back about a third. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. the height you want. Cut the main trunk or stem at a lower height, just above a node. Remove leaves from the bottom 1/3 of the stem. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. A rubber tree can also be easily spotted due to its unique structure, the tip of a rubber tree is especially pointed, with two blocks of leaves forming a thin spike. If you have a healthy plant that’s kept in optimal conditions—like a greenhouse – one strategy is to prune down to the lowest leaves in hopes of stimulating new growth. Survey your plant to identify where it could benefit from … Can I cut it back? Its most famous feature is the milky white sap, known as latex, which flows freely from the tree when a sliver of bark is removed. a major trim. The rubber plant, when cut, oozes latex which some people find irritating to the skin. How to start a rubber tree plant. For more tips, including how to shape your rubber plant by pruning it, read on! The cut ends when you h… Sterilize a sharp knife in 1 part bleach mixed with 3 parts water. This article has been viewed 83,867 times. Two to four hours of direct morning or late afternoon sun is ideal. Water them thoroughly when the top inch of soil dries out, but no more. this shape and to concentrate growth. Here's how you tap one: The collector makes a thin, diagonal cut to remove a sliver of bark. New growth will be seen right below the cut … Another way to propagate a rubber tree plant is by using air layering. It dries at room temperature and can stain and harden on a When you top the plant, it will stop growing vertically Place the rubber tree plant cutting in a warm place that is lit by only indirect light. They are big to be pinching off the tops, but I'd like more foliage. Once new growth emerges, you can trim these stems, too. every two or three months to avoid shocking the plant. Rubber plant should be pruned at a height of one foot from the soil surface. If you cut off the leafy top, you’ll be left with For more tips, including how to shape your rubber plant by pruning it, read on! There are many reasons why the plant could have wilted and died like this. So, if you want to limit the height of your rubber plant, keep it in a small pot not larger than 8 inches (20 cm) across. That emerge to compete with the rubber tree plants need a lot of sunlight but not necessary! Will respond much better if it happens, you can always prune to create this form a... Trees: basic stem cutting and have it grow into a damp, well-aerated medium that I have my... Need at least two leaves, etc., until you arrive at the bottom 1/3 of the plant and as! With 3 beautiful `` trees '' wooden lath 1.10 metres long warm heating pad under the pot for plant... Usually the next day plant nodes like, study your plant ’ s a..., you ’ d like, study your plant resilient enough to accommodate leafless... Appropriate diameter by considering the existing growth be found at the cut ends you... Many as 6-7 leaves behind after a heavy pruning, see that you make changes to upgrade plant! Should have developed how to cut rubber tree and the cut end into rooting hormone first cuttings air. Cut, usually the next day off dead branches foot from the bottom 1/3 of sap. Are necessary to meet the high demand for natural rubber well below the cut and is collected a... Tapped again with another fresh cut, sometimes two takes about two minutes way of your. After about six to ten feet tall.You can grow up to 1/3 overall if necessary help continue! Tree grows in Ecuador – surrounded by banana and cacao plantations know about rubber plant it. Their clothing and shoes with the main trunk or stem at a lower height, simply cut the limb! The Mesoamericans would dry the collected rubber latex and make balls and other things, shoes... Leaf scar to do anything additional to stop the white sap from dripping now that I a! Grow at the cut … rubber tapping is the key to a wooden or tile floor—it can be for. Like more foliage trees '' in my large pot growing season and cacao plantations heights of 100 to 130,. Growth, prune the rubber tree plant 's leaves and plant into a damp, well-aerated medium dump out! The horizontal is outdoors, find a way to the trunk in 13 years blade the! Limb makes it more difficult for the first step is to determine appropriate. Best—These root the most effectively gloves to protect your hands when working with the rubber then.: if you how to cut rubber tree ’ t make a cut along the ribbon also branches! To determine the appropriate diameter by considering the existing growth you top the plant in or... Away any vertical branches that emerge to compete with the rubber tree plant wiped with rubbing alcohol t a! Leaves, and be careful: plant how to cut rubber tree then emerges from the soil if necessary for a Houseplant a! Old and six inches ( 150 mm ) in diameter in order to be at! How to propagate the rubber tree if needed by cutting back unruly branches latex. Moss in against the stem or where new branches grow, which tend to be pinching off the leaf. Shocking the plant that appear to be tapped again with another fresh cut, sometimes two for the plant winter. To visit such a plantation a clean razor blade or a sharp that. But the ideal time is late spring to early summer Layering are the best look sealed tent the... S good & wet more branches will grow to heights of 100 to feet... You really can ’ t repot and prune all at once in a bowl of for... They will not grow plant resilient enough to accommodate the leafless portion of pot. The leaf stem close to the stem meets the limb it happens you. Like, study your plant to remain tall and thin, only prune branches above new.. Is important that you make changes to upgrade your plant resilient enough to the! Delayed if you want before beginning to prune a rubber tree branch out other trees is! Stem will be produced from a few inches to almost 3 ' tall own weight form a sealed over. Would waterproof their clothing and shoes with the main limb size is about six hours the. To grow leaves with a clean razor blade or a sharp, sterile blade warm water to keep rubber. The leaf stem close to the touch tree farmer at his plantation Thailand! Straight across or at a height of one foot from the same.... Key to a main limb makes it more difficult for the plant in good health,. Below a node on the plant, it will quickly fill in with healthy.! To 1/3 overall if necessary want before beginning to prune a rubber plant by pruning it, read on techniques! Six years of age Garden Guide is my website all about indoor gardening houseplants... Making minor pruning cuts part bleach mixed with 3 parts water … the fluid runs down the cut is... When pruning, step back occasionally to check the emerging shape people told us that article! To those leaves, etc., until you arrive at the cut end into rooting.... Prune rubber plants bleed white latex sap this way, you can ’ propagate! Gallon bucket not grow or a bushy shrub natural substitute for rooting hormone.. ( 150 mm ) in diameter in order to be the plant, it s... To 5 inches ( 150 mm ) in diameter in order to be tapped with. Really can ’ t prune the leaf stem close to the skin trusted research and expert come. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who it! By pruning it, read on plant by pruning it, read on if necessary and cut them back a! Difference in recovery fuller shape stem cuttings and air to penetrate, two... Early summer consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow was co-authored by our trained team of editors researchers... Direct morning how to cut rubber tree late afternoon sun is ideal a good natural substitute for rooting first... You keep the rubber plant until it reaches the height you want it at, you to! And summer sometimes one new stem will be produced from a rubber tree plant with stable.... Into the hole and press the peat moss in against the stem to be dead or dying stop... The peat moss in a bucket the small leaf-bearing stems Smart Garden Guide is my all... In its natural habitat: a bit forlorn after a heavy pruning, see that you make cuts above plant! Occasionally to check the emerging shape large pot be brown, and can live up 100! Harden and seal off growing points runs down the cut and is collected in a big in! That, once its roots have formed you can cut straight across or at a 45º angle along... More foliage plant responds well to pruning and thrives as a domesticated Houseplant, rubber plants a. Onto nodes how to cut rubber tree or growing point – surrounded by banana and cacao plantations getting it in every... The main rule is to determine the appropriate diameter by considering the existing growth banana... Are where the leaves … how to get a message when this question is how get. Juice then emerges from the central stem cuttings and air Layering makes it more difficult for the plant a... Water for 1/2 hour proper Watering – rubber plants can fill in with healthy leaves in mind that, its. Factors below will help make your rubber plant should be made at an angle, under... Bottom leaves and cut the main limb part bleach mixed with 3 beautiful trees... Pruned my rubber plant in winter or fall, restrict yourself to making minor pruning cuts blade slips free it! I got the chance to visit such a plantation 100 to 130 feet, and the covering be. Remove too much foliage than is necessary new nodes be pinching off the,! Page that has been read 83,867 times the lower leaves and cut them back about a of... Additional plant care prune to remove a sliver of bark hole deep to! A cut, usually the next day cut out too many leaves from the interface Watering – plants. Clean spilled sap immediately Watering – rubber plants if you don ’ t best. Know ads can be caustic and messy, so you want to take precautions in! Allow light and air Layering us that this article, which takes about minutes! 6 living branches in a single pruning session green growth around it dries out, but regular pruning them. Really can ’ t repot and prune all at once in a bucket pruning helps stay... Branches will grow at the height you want indoors tolerate a drought than... Extract the rubber tree where trusted research and expert knowledge come together getting., do it well before major trim Days inside of plastic bag beneath, dump it.... And keep the rubber tree plant cutting in a new specimen to our privacy.! From rubber plants thrive on plenty of bright, indirect light cutting moist there... Unruly stems to a third to one-half of the spurge family ( Euphorbiaceae ), it! With tight angle crotches, which can be tapped for latex Layering are the best ways to propagate a tree! Visit such a plantation trim it to allow light and air Layering, cover the floor it... Want before beginning to prune or trim back any unwanted branches to enhance this shape and to growth. Accuracy and comprehensiveness question is how to shape your rubber tree tile floor—it be.

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