Of the manyFicustrees usable to buy as houseplants , Rubber Plants , also known as Rubber Trees , are certainly one of the most seek - after . Their large leave are glossy and impressive , often sport interesting variegation or stunning color .
In a few gentle stair , you could be on your way to propagating your own ( or a friend ’s ) Rubber Plant at no cost . I ’ve used my belovedFicus elastica‘Ruby ’ , but the same footstep apply to all cultivars .
Prepare The Soil
Rubber plants demand a well - draining potting medium to prevent rot while developing roots . The soil should also be light , with large space between the mote to deliver atomic number 8 and provide the least resistance to root growth .
A combination of material to balance drain and weewee retention are indispensable to successful propagation . you could purchase propagating mix online or from a nursery . If you plan to propagate often , you may also make your own mix to create the perfect surround for propagation .
In a bucketful , combine adequate parts coconut coir or perlite . The Cocos nucifera coir is swooning enough to facilitate root growth while retaining enough wet to keep the cutting in the right conditions for growing . Peat moss perform the same function , but is less sustainable so should only be used if you already have some around .
Perlite – made from blow up volcanic methamphetamine hydrochloride – is the belittled white rock you may observe in houseplant potting mixes . This material improve drain by increasing the space between soil subatomic particle . It also hold small amounts of moisture , although nowhere near as much as coconut coir .
Mix the dirt until equally distributed . Then , sate a mountain with the grime intermixture and water well . Wait until the excess water has drained from the drain holes before planting to forbid rot .
Choose A Branch
With the land quick , grab your Rubber Plant and take a flavor at the stems . key one with inviolable leafage development and no signs of hurt or disease . The fitter the stalk , the well your chances of successful theme growth .
Choose a part of the stem around 10 in down from the tip with a few band of leaves . One or two is manageable , but three is preferred . The closer the leaves are together , the skilful .
Make A Cut
Start by grab a sharp pair of secateurs or pruning shear . Sharper cuts heal quicker on the parent plant life , ameliorate the chances of regrowth . You should also insure they are 100 % clean to debar spreading disease . Scrub with soap and piss before making any cuts .
On your choose branch , count a few nodes down and take a cutting over 10 inches long . Cut just below a foliage leaf node as this is the point where new root growth will begin . Alternatively , you could cut on the branch above a leaf node to advertize new increase , and simply trim the cutting before planting .
A milky fool will leak from the cutting off straight aside . This saphead can be irritating to the skin , so nullify touching it and wash your hands after propagating to keep any accidental ingestion .
Remove The Leaves
The bottom half of the cutting will be buried below the soil , so any leaves that may make planting difficult should be take away . This will also kick upstairs ascendent maturation in the exposed nodes .
but attract off the leave from the bottom half of the cutting , impart one or two leaves at the top for energy absorption . you could also trim them off with your secateurs to limit any possible damage to the radical .
Dip In Rooting Hormone
settle down hormone – generally available in powder form – is designed to stimulate root outgrowth in raw thinning . It also protects the vulnerable Modern growth from disease , improving your chances of succeeder overall .
Remove a minuscule amount of powder and place it in a disjoined container . You should deflect dip a cutting at once into the main container to avoid contaminant . Do n’t take too much at one time as the rest will have to be cast out for the same reason .
Dip the ending of the cutting into water and then in the rooting hormone , cover the final stage evenly . Tap off the excess and prepare for institute .
Plant The Cutting
take hold of the filled pot prepared earlier and make a large hole in the center with your digit or a pencil about midway down . Plant the cut in the jam , obviate touching the sides as much as possible to keep the powder on the last of the cutting .
Press down around the cutting to secure it in place . If the dirt is sufficiently dampish and the cutting is entomb deep enough , it should remain strongly in home to fend any adjustments from wind or lachrymation .
Place the pot in a strong spot off from direct sunshine to prevent scorching . Keep humidity luxuriously in the orbit with a humidifier or place a clear charge card over the pot to keep moisture in .
Transplanting
If your propagation efforts are successful , there should be root growing after a few weeks . Although you ca n’t see the roots , you’re able to softly pull on the cutting – resistance suggest stem growth . Any newfangled leaf growth on the cutting is also a positivist sign .
you could impart the plant life in the same pot for a few more week until the growth is strong . Then , transplant into a larger can filled with an airy houseplant soil mix . Keep conditions the same to define transplant shock and continue to irrigate well .
Once well shew , you’re able to move the plant to its lasting nursing home amongst its original family members .
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