When it comes to the care of the rubber tree, there is often talk of a "sleeping eye". Where this can be found and what it is all about, however, often remains open.
In a nutshell
- recognize sleeping eyes as small elevations on the trunk
- encourage the rubber tree to branch after cutting
- easily survive for several years in the dormant state
Table of contents
- sleeping eye
- rubber tree
- Cutting / Branching
- pest infestation
- frequently asked Questions
sleeping eye
When the rubber tree (Ficus elastica) gets a new leaf, it also puts on a secondary bud. This so-called sleeping eye (bot. Proventive bud) remains in the bud stage. It only develops further when the plant loses branches, for example through cutting or breaking off. Because of this, dormant buds in the rubber tree perform a kind of reserve function, compensating for the loss of branches and ensuring its survival.
A notice: A dormant eye survives several years in a dormant state because it is protected by the bark.
rubber tree
Sleeping eyes are small bumps on the trunk of the rubber tree. Since new leaves or Shoots grow, they play when
Cutting the houseplant an important role.
A notice: Sleeping eyes are often hard to see, but can be felt easily. Run a finger along the trunk and you should feel the bumps.
Cutting / Branching
Rubber trees that you get in stores are usually young plants that have no branches. Since the houseplant only grows from a size of at least 150 centimeters under very favorable conditions tend to form side shoots, you can branch your Ficus elastica with the help of the sleeping eyes stimulate:
- shorten older plants to desired height
- Cut off the young plant above the third to fifth pair of leaves
- Start the cut over a sleeping eye
A notice: If the rubber tree is to grow upright without side shoots, cut them off directly on the trunk. If new shoots form from the sleeping eyes, you will have to use the scissors again after a while so that it remains narrow.
pest infestation
Does the rubber tree have to due to a pest infestation are severely pruned, its sleeping eyes help it regenerate. Therefore, after the infestation or a plant disease, you should not give up, but yours Put the Ficus elastica in a bright place. If it gets enough light and good care, chances are the dormant buds will “wake up” and the plant will sprout again. Don't get impatient, however, as it may take a few weeks for new shoots to appear.
frequently asked Questions
If you want the side shoots of the rubber tree to branch further, you can also use a sleeping eye for this. If you clip the branch over a dormant bud, you should start to see branches after a few weeks. In order to maintain the stability of the plant, you should not prune your Ficus elastica on one side.
In principle, one sleeping eye is enough for the rubber tree to survive. However, its chances of survival are higher if it has more than one bud - for example after a radical pruning due to a pest infestation.
Since a sleeping eye is a natural phenomenon, you cannot prevent the gum tree from setting up proventive buds.