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Rubber Plant- would you prune this one?

5 years ago

Hi. I was given this rubber plant 2 weeks ago. I placed it by a east window.( i have it to the left of the window because it will receive the most bright indirect light there. Looking at the front of it, it looks great but the side and back view shows how bare the branches really are. Would you put stakes in to strengthen the branches to stand up straight or would you cut them back to start new growth? Will cutting it back help the leaves grow bigger? Each time i look up rubber plants that have such big leaves. Thank you so much.

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tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)

5 years ago

If eye appeal is on your list of considerations - absolutely.

Al

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User
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Sorry it wouldn't let me add these to my first post.
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User
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Al Thank You for replying. I know I said from the front it looks great but I honestly don't care if it looks good or not. I just want to care for it correctly. I have read everything I could read on what you wrote about them and other articles as well. I've seen a few articles about them being leggy but each picture I saw the plants didn't have as many branches and their leave were huge. So I wasn't sure if the small leaves on mine meant it was not getting the proper everything it needed.
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
5 years ago
I'd attribute the small leaves to genetic variation, or more likely, to the plant being rootbound. That foliage is sort of arranged in clusters near branch apices (tip of branch where extension occurs) is also a symptom of a congested root system.

If you asked me to prune your plant, I'd first mention the fact that I would be taking it back to a basic shape you can build on, and, it's likely that 80% (or so) of the plant's living mass is going to end up on the floor/ground when I was done.

If pruning isn't something you would consider to be one of your strengths, you could always prune off everything outside of an imaginary vertical wall extending straight up from the rim of the pot. Once done, you can look at the branch structure and correct problem branches. I think you'd be pleases with the results insofar as appearance is concerned, but your plant is probably in serious need of a full repot and a good nutritional supplementation program.

Al
User thanked tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
dchall_san_antonio
5 years ago
Personally I don't think the plant fits into the decor. It's intrusively large. Pruning it will make it look thin. Rubber plants in nature can be found in full sun in the sub tropics. It's not an indoor type of plant. I'd get rid of it.
User
Original Author
5 years ago
Al Thank You again. I'm going to get everything i need to repot and I'm going to prune it down.

Dchall_san_antonio I'm not really big on decor. I actually did try to find it a better more educated home but none wanted it. I'm going to do the best i can for it. Id rather try first than just chuck it. You know what i mean? Thank you so much though.
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
5 years ago
Someone might consider giving up the quest to be ruler of the universe.

When a tree has been given it's head for many years, it often takes a firm hand to rein it in - sort of like hitting the reset button. That goes for not only appearance, but for the plant's level of vitality as well.

Keep us posted on your progress, BP?

Al
User thanked tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
User
Original Author
5 years ago
Al i will definitely post updates. Thank You for your help. I really appreciate it. Bridget
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
5 years ago
My pleasure ......
User thanked tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)

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