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Does anyone know what I did wrong with my Ficus elastica tineke?

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

Ficus elastica (tineke): SUNLIGHT... sits in an East facing window, gets moderate direct sunlight throughout the day; WATER... watered only when first two inches are dry... I water until I see it drip through the drainage holes at the bottom then let it dry out throughout the day; FERTILIZATION... SO, I think this might be where my issue lies, however, I am not sure so I'm hoping someone can confirm my suspicions. I had thought Ficuses liked being fertilized every TWO WEEKS after reading an article that suggested that, however... I did some research again and I'm seeing more articles that state it should only be fertilized ONCE A MONTH. I use a 20-20-20 water soluble fertilizer at half strength for her and have fertilized her TWICE already after waiting two weeks since the first time... am I right for thinking that it is an overfertilization issue??? PLEASE HELP!!!

This bottom leaf just dropped as I was inspecting my tineke... look at those brown edges :(

More brown edges...

This one has a brown tip as well :(

More brown edges...

But she's been giving new growth on each parent plant... I've gotten one new leaf from each parent plant since spring started so that's a good sign yes? (Total of three since I have three tineke's planted in one pot).

Overall health of the plant. That bottom right leaf was like that when I bought it so pay no mind to it.

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I wrote myself a note so I wouldn't forget. Lately, I'd been working on a post that should be helpful to most growers if they decide the information sounds valid enough to act on. Sometimes it takes a while for me to decide how to approach a subject, and still longer trying to figure out how to explain things so everyone can understand what I'm talking about and actually gain something from it. I will say though that I've given that particular subject some thought already, as I've considered posting something that would explain pruning basics. I'll be working on it in my spare time, but give me a week or two? Thank you, btw, for your kind words. I know I sometimes rub people the wrong way because I tend to automatically assume the role of teacher, and because I often disagree on points that are not really open to interpretation because the sciences have them nailed down pretty tightly ..... and I DO get enthusiastic about being able to help. That's really my only reason for hanging around - to try to help others learn in a few minutes or hours what took me much longer to learn. What fuels me and where I get my kicks is when people offer the message that they're learning and/or they're grateful for the effort, so thanks again! Sorry for getting off the rails on your thread, Krisenr - I beg a pardon? Al
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I used no chemicals just high pressure water. Took it right out of its pot and got rid of the bugs then pruned it back and re planted it back into its same pot with new dirt. I gave it some liquid fertilizer and put it to its original spot that it has always done well in. It has new growth where I pruned they look healthy but there leaves are curling under a bit too. I thought maybe it might be too dry in my house because it is pretty close to a heat vent so I've started misting it everyday to see if that would help.
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Does this and the other pics here answer your question? There was no sign of red on it when I got it, so don't let that stop you from getting one. Needs more direct light to develop the red color than what most for-sale plants have been given/are in at a store. Like very near a window that the sun shines directly into, &/or eased into some direct sun outside when warm enough.
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I found this written by a researcher at Central Florida Research and Education Center "Ficus elastica, the India rubber tree, wasgrown extensively as an indoor tree during the early 1950's and earlier. Today it is difficult to find commercial sources of the plant because it has been replaced with several cultivars listed below: `Decora' was a significant new cultivar at the time of its introduction, about 1950. With its broad elliptical leaves and more attractive growth habit, it soon replaced the species. `Doescheri' has the narrow leaf shape of the species and a striking variegated pattern of green, grayish green, yellow, white and a pink midrib and petiole. `Robusta' is a compact form which resembles `Decora', but is more compact and free branching. `Rubra' has dark, wine red leaves when grown in full sun. Much of the red color is lost as the plant grows under reduced light intensity. `Rubra' is also listed under the names `Burgundy' and `Abidjan'. `Sophia' is a new green cultivar with leaves which are smaller and more rounded than `Robusta'."
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