Occasionally a hobby gardener wishes that he could change the appearance of his plant or rubber tree a little, for example if it does not form a crown or is slowly becoming bald. A “rejuvenation cure” is also quite possible.
How can I rejuvenate my rubber tree?
To rejuvenate a rubber tree, you can shorten it, take cuttings or remove moss. Spring is the best time for these measures to bring the plant into the desired shape and at the same time obtain new shoots or young plants.
Perhaps your rubber tree has become too big or too massive. In this case too, you can prune it and give it a new shape. The rubber tree tolerates pruning and will ideally produce several new shoots.
How does rejuvenation of a rubber tree work?
One way to rejuvenate your rubber tree is so-called moss removal. With this method you can increase your plants at the same time. You kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.
Alternatively, you can shorten a rubber tree that has grown too tall or cut off side shoots that are too long. If you cut just above a sleeping eye, the rubber tree will sprout again at this eye. So with a lot of patience you can give it the shape you want. You can easily use the cut shoots as cuttings.
How do I treat the cuttings?
Ideally, your cuttings will have three or four leaves and one bud. After the milky plant sap has drained out (you can place the cutting in a glass of water), put it in a pot with potting soil and moisten it well. Pull a transparent film over the pot and place it in a bright and warm place. An alternative is an indoor greenhouse.
How does moss removal work?
Cut a suitable shoot of your rubber tree close to the trunk from below. If you keep this gap open and moist, for example with the help of moss, then young roots will form in this place. If these are numerous and strong after a while, then you can separate the resulting young plant and plant it.
Possible steps to rejuvenate rubber tree:
- Short rubber tree
- Cut cuttings
- abmoosen
Tip
The best time to rejuvenate your rubber tree is spring, when the first shoots start to grow.
