Propagation is creating new plants by using a cutting of a parent plant. The most common method of propagation is cuttings. Cuttings are a way to start a new plant from the stem of an existing plant. You can take a cutting from a rubber plant and put it in the soil to grow into a new plant. Keep reading the article about how to propagate rubber plants.
The best way to propagate rubber plants is to take cuttings from the stems. Take a small section of stem and insert it into the soil. In this article, we describe how to propagate rubber plants. You will learn how to grow rubber plants in a pot and care for them.
How to Propagate Rubber Plants? Step by step
Rubber plants are one of the easiest and fastest-growing plants to grow in your home. They are easy to care for and provide a natural and beautiful look in your garden.
Rubber plants are easy to grow and very versatile. They can be planted in any sunny spot. Rubber plants grow quickly and can be propagated by cutting a piece from the stem and planting it. The best way to propagate rubber plants is to take cuttings from the stem, which you can do by slicing a piece of the stem with a sharp knife. You can also buy rubber plant cuttings online, but you must make sure that you buy them from a reputable source.
Equipment or Tools required for getting Rubber Plant cuttings
There are following equipment or tools required for getting cutting from the rubber plants are given below
- Sharpe Knife or Pruning shear
- Protective gloves
- Towel
Materials required for planting Rubber Plants
- Potting Mix
- Perlite
- Rooting hormones
- Zip-top plastic bags
- Plastic pot
Preparing a clean surface area to get Rubber Plant cutting
You need to prepare a clean surface area where you get the rubber plant cuttings. While all cuttings need to have a clean surface area, some plants tend to rot if their surface area is not clean and dry. People use many methods to prep a clean area, including washing the stems with water and removing plant debris or dead leaves around the stems.
Choose where you will take the rubber stem cuttings
Rubber cutting stems should be taken from plants growing at full maturity and are at least one to two years old. Rubber cutting stems grow at different rates, and some require more care than others. So before choosing where you will take your rubber cutting stems, you should know what you are getting into.
Now that you have chosen your location and cut the tops off the plant stems, you’ll need to cut off some rubber stems cuttings with leaf nodes. Once the cuttings have been removed from the stems, use the sharpened scissors to carefully slice off a section of the stem. Make sure the rubber plant cuttings are about 5-6 inches long and have 3 to 5 leaf nodes.
Make the cut
It is important to understand that when you get cuttings from the stem, cut the 2 leaf nodes. Moreover, remove the bottom leaves with a sharp knife or pruner and ensure that one or two leaf remains on the top of the cuttings.
This isn’t only good for encouraging roots; it also ensures that the cutting’s energy is directed toward new growth rather than maintaining existing leaves.
You’re just getting started, but keep the waxy side outward. Roll up the plant in a cone shape, secure it, and put it into the soilless potting mix. Roll the leaf to reduce moisture loss.
Prepare the Rubber Plant cuttings for planting
Cuttings can be prepared for planting using a simple technique. Prepare a plastic pot with perlite and a soilless and moisten thoroughly. Moreover, apply the rooting hormones to the end of each cutting to encourage the root’s growth. So, make a hole in the center of the potting mix and push the cutting inside a small hole. Make sure the top leaf nodes place on the soil surface.
Support the cutting by placing a small stake in the center of the rolled leaf. Pat the soil around the plant firmly to help it stay in place. Put plastic zip-top bags over each plant in the pot to create a greenhouse-like environment.
If you want rubber tree cuttings to sprout roots in your garden, they need to be moist and humid.
Place the pot in a warm and sunny location
You might think a rubber plant would grow easily, but some plants are hard to grow because they don’t like the climate they’re placed in. Rubber trees grow best in warm and sunny climates that aren’t too humid, especially during the spring. To help your tree grow, keep the soil moist during dry periods and don’t let the temperature get too cold. The roots of a rubber tree need to be kept cool and dry, so don’t keep them in direct sunlight. After 4 to 5 weeks, each cutting begins to establish roots.
Moreover, tug the cutting gently to check if it’s root-bound. If you feel resistance, then the roots of your cuttings are beginning to form.
Also, read the article How to make a rubber plant bushy?
Bottom Line
In conclusion, To propagate a rubber plant, you need to have a plan. A proper plan, in this case, is a plan with a beginning, middle, and end. This includes planting, growing, watering, fertilizing, and pruning. Once all the steps are taken and executed properly, you can rest assured that your rubber plant is ready to place amongst your friends. Just remember to stay organized and have a detailed plan when you start.
FAQs
Can you propagate a rubber plant in water?
Yes, you can. Rubber plants are easy to grow in water, but they require a lot of sunlight. However, place the cuttings in a bowl of water. Keep the cuttings roughly 2 to 3 inches of water and place them in direct sunlight. Change the water at least once a week.
Why do the leaves fall off my rubber plant?
The leaves fall off because you are giving them over water and improper drainage to the rubber plant. Rubber plants required moist soil but are not soggy. Therefore, you should maintain good drainage and moisture in the soil.
How do you revive a dying rubber plant?
If you want to revive a dying rubber plant, you should cut off its damaged roots This will allow the plant to get nutrients from the soil and the air, instead of the water. Moreover, also change the soil or potting mix as well. Removes brown or dark leaves and clean the running water.
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