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Ficus elastica(FY - kus ee - LASS - tih - kuh ) is one of those plants with a scientific name you straight off recognise .
More commonly get laid as the safety tree plant life , this popular houseplant has manyFicus elastica variety .
These wonderful ( and good ) indoor plants is not only easy to arise , but it ’s also easy to propagate , too !
How To Propagate Rubber Plant
There are three methods of propagating your rubber plant : soil , water , and aviation layering .
Note : You should use multiple healthy cuttings to increase the chances of a hefty babe plant .
Preparation
Before disseminate yourFicus elastica , it ’s important to have everything you ask on hand .
Here are the various tool and supply to gather :
Choosing a Medium: Soil Method
Look for a quality cactus and succulent potting mix .
Be certain it ’s from a reputable company , as cheap commercial-grade mixes often are n’t desexualize before shipping and may curb microbes , pests , or spores .
You will also need some perlite to mix into the dirt .
A 50/50 proportion of soil or peat moss and perlite works best .
Choosing a Medium (Water Method)
Doing water propagation mean using the right water .
If you’re able to collect rainwater , this is the best choice for your works .
Otherwise , use distil water ( sometimes called sister water ) .
Avoid irrigate with tap body of water . Tap water contains harmful chemicals and aqueous mineral that can harm your plants .
Preparing Your Cuttings (Soil and Water Methods)
Before anything else , you ’ll want to beak a spot on a level-headed stem to do the propagation and cover the surface with newspaper .
The muggins on alltypes of Ficusis ill-famed for staining floors and is used to make latex pencil eraser , so it can induce a chemical reaction if someone come in contact with it who has a sensitivity or allergy .
You will want to give your shear a quick disinfect using the cotton rounds dipped in rubbing alcohol .
As a general rule , it ’s good to wipe down the shears before every cut , and when done , just in slip the industrial plant has an infection you are n’t aware of – and so the sap does n’t get thing too glutinous .
Next, you’ll need to choose your rubber tree cutting.
It ’s a great prison term to prune away some leggy branch or less dense stems , which could be used for the cutting .
Beyond that , the cut should :
get into your glove ( if necessary ) , seize your shears and make a clean , sloping snub just below a folio node ( this node will be where the solution grow from ) .
Your cut will likely be bleed , so gently blot the wound with a paper towel until the bleeding stops .
Finally , cut back the depleted set of leaves to give the plant more room to turn and dip the wounded end in rooting hormone .
When possible , leave alone at least 2 to 3 leaves to help the plantlet grow faster .
The Soil Method
Stick the film editing into your pot of soil , submerging any bring out node but leaving the leaves above the soil furrow .
shroud the plant with your plastic baggie to make a miniature greenhouse .
The high humidity will serve encourage outgrowth and reduce any tearing need .
Put the pot in a fix with dappled sun or brilliant , indirect light that ’s lovesome and barren of drafts . forefend verbatim sun .
Give the works 4 to 5 weeks , then give a gentle tug .
resistor is validation that the works ’s developing a gracious , goodish root organisation .
The Water Method
Slip your cutting into the vase of water , so the guest are submerse .
Place the vase in a warm spot with bright , indirect sunlight and change the water every 2 to 3 days .
After a few weeks , you ’ll begin to see the roots forming .
When the roots are just about 1″ to 2 ” column inch long , the plantlet is quick to be transfer to soil .
Aftercare for the Mother Plant
Keep in nous . Propagation strain the parent plant , so you must verify she has a nice spot to recover .
Even if the industrial plant is used to a bit of neglect , prove to give it some extra love over the next few weeks .
This means proper tearing and light and keep an eye on humidness and other conditions that will aid the plant get down recovering from the expiration of limb and leaf .
Air Layering
This method is just for older plants and will ask a steady hired man and some attainment .
In mid - natural spring through summertime ( when the plant life ’s most active ) , choose a branch that ’s at least 12 ” inches retentive and healthy .
Pick a smirch where you ’ll make the roots and dispatch the leaves instantly above and below that stain .
Using a sharp , unfertile tongue , cut away the bark in a 1 ” inch wide-cut strip where the root will be , exposing the pulp .
Blotting the muggins away with a newspaper towel as needed , cautiously remove the softer pulp in that bare ring and obviate harming the unbendable wood core .
Now , scatter the nub with steady down hormone and wrap up it in damp sphagnum moss , using plastic Wrap as an airtight bandage .
After about 2 week , you may remove this plaster to bring out tiny rootage .
lop the root word below these new roots and plant your new plantlet .
Comparing Rubber Plant Propagation Methods
Each of these three method has its pros and cons , so liken and choose the one upright for you :
