Rubber Plant Problems

[merton69]

Hello all.

I have a Rubber plant that is around 14 years old and about 2-3ft high sitting in a decent sized clay pot that sits indoors.

Over the past month or so everyone of it's leaves except one has died and dropped off, leaving a sad looking stem and branches.

Looked after and water appropriately.

Please can anyone offer some advice on how to get it's 'life' and leaves back?

Thanks!!

[MASS1961]

If it's 14 years old and all the leaves have gone within a month, i'm afraid it sounds terminal.

[Owen Money]

I think I'd check the roots before I gave up on it, have you ever re-potted it in that 14 years?

Are roots protruding from the drainage holes?

When did you last change the compost/growing medium?

Do you use plant food?

I think I'd be inclined to either re-pot it into a larger pot (with fresh compost), or, prune the roots (remove about 1/4 to 1/3 of the old roots) and put it back into the same pot (with fresh compost).

I have a few bonsai trees (grown from seed or cuttings), I re-pot/root-prune them every couple of years, which keeps them healthy/vigorous and at a "compact" size...

Here are a couple of articles about the subject(s):

http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_6706628_repot-rubber-tree-plant.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_7761422_prune-ficus-roots.html

I hope this helps :) Neither of these "remedies" are going to bring overnight results, it's a case of "suck it and see" I'm afraid, but what have you got to lose?

[merton69]

Many thanks for your answers.

I will try the tips you have written and hopefully save the plant!

[Owen Money]

You're very welcome :)

I should mention, If you do decide to go with root pruning, don't feed the plant for about 6 weeks afterwards, just keep it watered (and your fingers crossed).

Best of luck :)

[Prudie]

I'd add that if it's only 2 to 3 feet high in 14 years it doesn't like its environment - pot, room etc etc

[rowanwitch]

take out the top shoot. re pot in a pot one size larger water well and make sure it is out of drafts and direct sunlight ignore it..apart from a bit of water ..it might form lateral shoots in about a month if not buy something different