I bought a new house and gained an awesome plant! Two stories tall – I think it's a rubber tree! No idea how old it is, how much to water it (we chuck a bucket at it every so often) or how to feed. I expect the soil has never been replaced and no idea how to go about it! I'll try and link a video!
by bobchipmunk
14 Comments
Small children every other week should suffice.
Just kidding, but that is a MASSIVE rubber plant. Looks pretty happy in that window.
That massive plant from that tiny pot!!! That’s crazy …
Feed it some high nitrogen fertilizer every month or so(given its size and size of the pot)
If u start noticing lower leaves turning yellow, time to repot (assuming no other stresses)
You’re correct. It’s a rubber tree.
I do think that the size is inappropriate for the location. Most people are too scared to prune their trees but ficus respond to it very well. I suggest downscaling it and shaping it a little bit.
As for the watering situation, really hard to tell considering the size and the pot that it’s in. If it was me, I’d probably do 2 tall drinking glasses of water once a week and see what happens.
Ficus elastica. Depending on your climate, these can be pretty thirsty. I give mine some fertilizer every few weeks during the summer, and it stays very happy and growing.
Beautiful! And doing so well in such a small pot!
That is an extremely happy ficus elastica.
I think the better question is do you have a plan for what you’re going to do when she reaches the ceiling.
I would replace the soil with a mix of perlite, coco coir and potting soil for better drainage and to avoid root rot, and I would fertilize it once a month during spring and summer with a high nitrogen fertilizer like 3-1-2 or 5-2-3. I actually fertilize mine twice a month but it’s way smaller. Congrats on your new plant 🤍
Video of plant! https://imgur.com/a/eWUkweZ
Since this is almost impossible to repot I would scrap off the soil as much as I can and replace it with fresh. Also would turn it every so often to add some air for the roots. Long term planning I would think about chop and prop to control vertical growth and to reshape it a bit.
Rotate it 180 degrees
Ficus, and its his window now
Yep, rubber fig/ficus elastica. I love these beauties so much 🤍
Amazing rubber tree!! You can safely cut it down as long as you like 2/3 of the original branches. Repot into a larger pot that will give it room to grow comfortably for a few more years without having to repot again. Water 1-2 times a week during spring/summer and take it down to once a month or so during the winter. I do give mine miracle grow plant food every now and then