The rubber tree, known to be easy to care for, is very frugal when it comes to nutrients. When kept in soil, it requires little fertilizer. Things look different if you grow your rubber tree hydroponically. Then you should fertilize it regularly.
How should I fertilize my rubber tree?
In order to properly fertilize the rubber tree, you should initially not fertilize at all in fresh potting soil for a few weeks. Then fertilize sparingly with commercially available liquid or slow-release fertilizer about every six weeks. In hydroponics, you fertilize regularly, about every two to four weeks, with special hydroponic fertilizer.
What fertilizer does my rubber tree need?
Commercial liquid or slow-release fertilizer is sufficient for the rubber tree. If you use fertilizer sticks, simply stick them into the soil close to the roots of your rubber tree. You can easily add liquid fertilizer to the irrigation water. Fertilize your rubber tree about every six weeks, that's enough.
In fresh potting soil, your rubber tree does not need any additional fertilizer because the soil contains enough nutrients. There is special fertilizer for hydroponic plants. Use this according to the package description. Too much fertilizer will harm your rubber tree, which could cause it to become sick or lose its leaves. In addition, a weakened rubber tree is more susceptible to attack by pests such as spider mites.
Diving instead of watering
Do you often forget to water your rubber tree or are you planning your well-deserved annual vacation? Then dip your rubber tree instead of watering it. Place the pot with the plant in a larger container filled with water. This should be so large that the earth is completely under water.
If no more air bubbles appear, then the soil is saturated and you can take the rubber tree out of the water again. To prevent the roots from starting to rot, the excess water must drain away again. Only then can the rubber tree be placed back in a planter. If your rubber tree has just been repotted, you can use the dipping method to wash the potting soil onto the roots.
The most important things in brief:
- Do not fertilize at all in fresh potting soil for a few weeks
- fertilize sparingly about every six weeks
- fertilize regularly in hydroponics, about every two to four weeks
Tip
If your rubber tree gets yellow leaves, then avoid fertilizing it for a while. The tree may recover quite quickly.
