Home»House Plants»Ficus
Ficus elastica – The name might think of very little to most , but the instant you cite its common name , therubber plant , suddenly the room light up up . That ’s because this marvelous houseplant is value for its shiny , morose green foliation , full growing habit , and versatility to grow as a tree or a bushy shrub .
That ’s right-hand – pencil eraser plant pruning fulfill multiple roles , make it an unbelievable increase to any domicile .
Whether you have the emerald green leaves of the parent species , a vary rubber eraser works cultivar , or prefer the dark red leaves of the burgundy rubber plant ( Ficus elastica‘Burgundy ’ ) , you may shape the appearance of these marvellous plant to become any room environment .
So let ’s look at how you may prune a rubber plant to best suit your home or garden .
The Basics Of Rubber Plant Pruning
Before we get into specific pruning method acting , let ’s go over some basics , include unconstipated pruning , pruning for pattern , and even extension with pruning .
There ’s a lot to brood regardless of the character of pruning you plan to act on , so rent ’s get started !
The Best Time To Prune Ficus Elastica
Ideally , the good time for any major pruning is spring into early summer .
These plant can handle a pretty strong-growing pruning session during this full point but wo n’t fare well during their wintertime quiescency .
That ’s not to say you ca n’t do a bit of light , strategic pruning of dead limb or a pathological arm , although said cut should be kept to a minimum .
Another estimable rule of quarter round is to avoid rationalize your Ficus for a few months after repot .
Transplanting any plant can cause a mass of strain , and it will take a while for the stem to settle into their new dirt .
Be patient and keep your pruning cuts restricted to upkeep until you see some healthy novel growth appearing .
Pruning Equipment
Every form of pruning has a few thing in common : the pocket-sized but essential inclination of equipment needed .
For this reason , we strongly indicate that protective glovesare at the top of everyone ’s list .
If you have a latex allergic reaction , you may also wish to add long sleeve and perchance goggles to the gear leaning ( the latter in case of splashing or inadvertent eye rubbing ) .
Will Your Plant Be A Tree Or Shrub?
This is where the actual pruning dangerous undertaking start !
Take a good looking at at your Ficus and ask what it want to be when it grows up .
Some may want to be mighty tree diagram , strive to reach the towering 100′ feet height of their natively mature siblings , although a domestic India rubber plant will more often than not top out at 13′ foot tall outdoors and around 8′ invertebrate foot indoors .
Or perhaps they ’d favor to be a bushy 4′ foot tall bush with a 3′ foot spread .
The good news is that you could always hear one shape and switch affair up if it does n’t work out .
Maintenance Trimming Your Rubber Plant
Of of course , shaping is n’t the only reason to cut back your rubber plant life .
It ’s often a right estimate to snaffle some clear garden shear and remove a dead branch or any morbid leaves throughout the year .
think back that even in a greenhouse - like environment , you should ward off any heavy pruning in the fall or winter months .
Rubber Plant Cuttings Are Baby Rubber Plants!
Pruning A Rubber Shrub
Now that we ’ve covered all the basic , let ’s get creative with a happy , bushy shrub .
Of the two major forms , the shrub is easier to commute and makes for a large indoor and outdoor showing . Not only can you shape the flora to fit small quad , but your rubber tree works will also have a courteous , full growth .
start by planning out your cuts . You ’ll want to make lateral cuts where the leaf are thin to encourage a bushier rubber plant .
Any low-pitched branch horizontally growing should be remove to forbid a leggy rubber plant .
Also , edit away any branches spring up at odd angles or otherwise unsightly ( this can be either a affair of personal penchant or functionality ) .
Once the lower part of your Ficus plant seem good , it ’s time to burn it down to the desired height .
A effective rule of quarter round is always to edit the top above a client rather than below , as the latter can do your arctic plant to send out up more erect shoots .
4′ foot tall is a pop height for the bush form due to the bed cover rarely pass 3′ feet across , although you could make yours as marvelous or little as you wish well .
To change over to tree diagram physique , just follow the pace below .
Pruning A Rubber Tree
So let ’s say you want a caoutchouc Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree instead of a bush .
If starting with a shrub , you ’ll want to let it turn vertically to the desire height to make formation easier .
Check your rubber plant ’s stems and plunk the biggest , healthiest shank to swear out as the master luggage compartment .
The other stem may be cut to ground level .
When pruning any side branches , cut above the node so the plant does n’t strain to branch out further unless it ’s in an area where you want a bushier appearance .
Only cut the top off after the plant reaches your best-loved height .
you may defend a felicitous , tidy tree diagram build by keeping any low arm trim and garnish away any new vertical branches that sprout from the psyche .
you’re able to convince your Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree to the George Bush form by allow upright chaff to spring up and follow the shaping steps as the industrial plant begins to satiate out .
