Can a rubber tree be grown from seeds?
The rubber tree (lat. Ficus elastica) can be grown quite easily from seeds. However, sowing is only worthwhile if you really want to have many young plants. Scatter the seeds on normal cultivation or potting soil, which may well be low in nutrients. Cover the seeds with some soil and lightly moisten them.
also read
- Can I propagate my rubber tree by cuttings?
- Can I rejuvenate my rubber tree?
- Can I hydroponic my rubber tree?
To keep moisture in, use an indoor greenhouse or pull a clear sheet over the nursery pots. (14.90 € at Amazon *) Even moisture is important, but waterlogging should be avoided. The seeds germinate after a short time. Once the first leaves have formed, you can repot your young rubber trees.
Is it easy to propagate from cuttings?
Planting cuttings is considered to be the easiest way of propagating rubber trees. The best time for this is spring, when new shoots form. Find a strong, healthy shoot with at least one leaf and one bud. Cut it off at least 6 cm long and put it in a glass with water. This allows the milk juice to drain off easily.
Then plant the shoot in a pot of peat and place it in an indoor greenhouse or pull a clear plastic bag over it. The offshoot should now be allowed to grow for at least three months in a bright place. Then slowly get used to normal room air.
Prune a rubber tree that is too large
If your rubber tree becomes too big for you, you can simply cut it to the desired length. You can now use the cut piece for propagation by planting it like a cutting in nutrient-poor soil.
Cut your rubber tree at the beginning of the growing season, then it will sprout again at the so-called sleeping eyes. It is best to cut just above such an eye. This will give your rubber tree a beautiful shape.
The mossing
It is relatively time-consuming, but you get pretty handsome young plants when you remove moss. It takes a few months for sufficient roots to form at the interface. You should really follow the instructions and not separate the young plant from the mother plant too early.
The essentials in brief:
- Sowing possible, but brings many new plants
- Mossing is laborious, but brings larger young plants
- easiest way of propagation: cuttings
Tips
Depending on your preferences and goals, you have various options for propagation available, from sowing to the very simple planting of cuttings to the very complex mossing.
