Tutorial with instructions and video

The best time is in late winter

A rubber tree tolerates pruning measures at any time of the year. Given its different growth phases, the exotic ornamental wood can best cope with a cut in late winter. In February or March the plant organism is in the transition phase from dormancy to the beginning of budding. The ornamental foliage plant responds particularly well to intervening care measures, such as repotting or cutting.

Digression

Take precautionary measures against rubber tree sap

A milky, sticky sap, rich in natural rubber and with considerable amounts of allergens and toxins, flows through the floral veins of a rubber tree. Before starting a pruning measure, you should therefore protect your skin from the milky sap as well as clothing and flooring. Gloves with long cuffs prevent direct skin contact with the secretion and protect you from allergic reactions.

Garden apron or plastic overalls catch sap splashes, because the best washing powder no longer washes natural rubber out of your clothes. Old blankets, tablecloths, curtains or foil protect the floor from irreversible stains.

Sensible cuts

You can promote a dense branching with lush foliage on your rubber tree with a skilful upbringing. Cutting out the dead wood every couple of years prevents it from scaling from the inside out. A rejuvenation cut brings new momentum to the growth of an old, aged rubber tree. The following overview summarizes useful Types of cuts together:

Cut type	Goal / occasion
Upbringing	Structure with densely branched growth
Topiary	Adjustment of height and width
Taper cut	revitalize old rubber tree

If a rubber tree sheds its leaves, this is not a reason for pruning. Leaf fall on evergreen houseplants is always a signal of inconsistencies in the location or in the care. Question all framework conditions, such as light, temperature, water and nutrient supply. Once the problems are over, the ornamental leaf plant sprouts again.

Skillfully educate rubber tree

The rubber tree is native to the tropical regions between northeast India and Indonesia. In living and working spaces in Central Europe, the exotic ornamental wood is far away from its home. This fact manifests itself in the fact that it is visibly difficult for Ficus elastica varieties to branch densely and profusely. With a knowledgeable pruning, you will reach under the floral arms of the rubber tree and encourage compact growth with many side branches that have magnificent leaves. This is how it works:

The best time is in February to the desired final height
On the central drive from last year's growth Cut back a third or half
Apply scissors a short distance from a leaf or a piece of paper bud (Thickening under the bark)
Stop the flow of juice with a paper tissue, an old (but clean) rag or cotton ball

An educational cut makes the knowledge of the Top funding advantage. According to this law, woody plants concentrate their growth forces on the tip of the bud. If you regularly cut back the floral hotspot a few centimeters, reserve substances will be distributed to lower-lying buds. You can see the effect on the rubber tree by the strong shoot of side branches.

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Bypass shears master rubber tree shoots without any problems

For upbringing and topiary pruning on rubber trees, a clean, freshly sharpened one should be used Bypass scissors be at hand. In contrast to anvil shears, bypass shears cut the woody shoots smoothly because they are with two sharp blades are equipped. Anyone who cuts his rubber tree with anvil scissors must expect the shoots to be crushed. The reason for these concerns is the way it works with a sharp blade that presses branches against a blunt opposite side and only then cuts them.

Topiary regulates growth

If a rubber tree shines in all its splendor and desired height at the end of its upbringing phase, the pruning ends in a shaped pruning. This takes place annual or just if necessary. How to cut properly:

Place rubber tree at eye level and easily accessible from all sides
Cover the floor, put on gloves and protect clothing from the milky juice
Cut back any branches sticking out of the shape
Reduce height growth by cutting the central shoot just above a leaf
Dab off any milky juice that spills out immediately

Topiary pruning is a great opportunity to clean old, large rubber trees from dead shoots. Remove Deadwood at the basewithout damaging the supporting shoot or trunk. Please keep in mind that a leafless shoot is not necessarily dead. To see if there is still life pulsing in the branch, scrape off a little bark. If dry, brown or putrid tissue appears, you can thin out the shoot, because no more leaves will thrive here. Fresh green to cream-colored tissue gives reason to hope that new leaves will sprout here shortly.

In this video, Detlef Römisch explains clearly how a rubber tree is to be cut correctly and the clippings can be used for propagation:

Youtube

Taper oversized rubber tree

The legendary vigor of rubber trees is primarily based on the property of sleeping eyes to be driven out vigorously. Parallel to the growth in height and width, all Ficus species create numerous buds that remain in the dormant state. Their only purpose is to replace lost shoots or stems as quickly as possible. Thanks to this floral masterpiece, you can cut back an oversized rubber tree radically and trust in renewed growth. How to proceed professionally:

Bypass-Loppers and Folding saw(€ 17.68 at Amazon *) clean, disinfect and have them ready
Clear out all dead wood in advance
Central trunk to the desired height saw off to just above a bud or a leaf
Cut the side branches back to 5 to 10 centimeters or one or two buds

In addition to the rejuvenation cut, please repot the rubber tree in fresh substrate. Shake off the drained soil to see the root ball. Cut off dead, stunted root strands before potting the plant. In the partially shaded, warm window seat, the green plant should regenerate for 8 to 10 days.

frequently asked Questions

Is a rubber tree poisonous?

Milky sap flows through a rubber tree. The secretion is sticky and poisonous at the same time. Toxic ingredients cause nausea and vomiting when consumed. Children are particularly at risk because they do not perceive the bitter taste of the rubber tree leaves and swallow parts of the plant. Ficus elastica poses a lethal threat to cats, dogs and rodents. Even small pieces of leaf are sufficient as a lethal dose if a veterinarian does not immediately take countermeasures. Gardeners with a latex allergy should refrain from cultivating Ficus species or only devote themselves to cutting and maintenance work with gloves and long-sleeved clothing.

Can the rubber tree go outside on the balcony?

A rubber tree shows its most beautiful side when its leaves are pampered by mild sun rays in a warm, sheltered location. As long as you are sensitive to the cold, your Ficus elastica is in good hands outside. When the temperatures no longer drop below 16 degrees Celsius in spring, you can clear out your rubber tree. In autumn, please clear the plant in good time before the temperature drops below the minimum of 12 degrees Celsius.

Are cuttings from rubber trees suitable for propagation from cuttings?

In fact, clipped shoots from a rubber tree are far too good for the garbage can or compost heap. Cut a healthy branch to an ideal length of 8 to 10 centimeters. Defoliate the cutting except for the upper leaf. Please dab any leaking milky juice with a cloth or cotton ball. Then place the shoot in a glass with soft water in a warm, partially shaded location. Alternatively, place the cutting in a nursery pot with a mix of potting soil, coconut fiber and sand. Rooting usually takes four to six weeks.

The 3 most common mistakes

If a rubber tree only has leaves on its outer branches or shoots unchecked into the weeds, its gardener has made a typical cutting error. The same applies to variegated varieties whose foliage changes from variegated to solid green. The following overview draws attention to the three most common cutting errors, classic damage patterns and has tips for prevention ready:

Cutting errors	Damage image	prevention
never exposed	Balding from the inside out	Remove dead wood every 5 years
never cut	rampant growth in all directions	Cut back too long shoots in spring
Green wild shoots not removed from variegated leaf varieties	Decline of variegated leaves in exchange for plain green foliage	Clear wild shoots in a timely manner on variegated rubber tree

Another common cutting mistake leaves its mark on the floor, clothing and, in the worst case, your skin for a long time because carpenters overlook important preparatory work. We are talking about the milky, sticky plant sap, which is interspersed with various toxins. Please take the precautions recommended in the tutorial to protect yourself from the milky juice before proceeding to the cut.

Tips

Silky glossy leaves are the most beautiful ornament on the rubber tree. Rub the green or variegated leaves with the insides of banana peels. With this trick you can give the picturesque leaves a lasting shine without having to resort to expensive maintenance sprays. The juicy pulp also has the advantage that it does not clog the leaf pores, but acts like a natural seal against dust.