Expert: Will Creed - 4/22/2007

Question
From a two inch plant thirty years ago, my husband moved his rubber plant into my conservatory http://www.djelibeybi.free-online.co.uk/plants/STA70603.JPG from the window of his dusky flat. This move happened two years ago and it has since thrived, growing an extra three feet to the roof of the conservatory http://www.djelibeybi.free-online.co.uk/plants/STA70615.JPG

Just lately, however, it has lost a number of leaves at various heights. Some have gone yellow and dropped off, some turn brown and die and the newest leaves are quite noticeably smaller than earlier growth. There are over twenty new leaves beginning to grown in the last few weeks (it's spring here). I'm no expert but suspect that the plant is pot-bound. The pot is 19 inches across and about the same depth and the branches of the plant are throwing out what look like arial roots http://www.djelibeybi.free-online.co.uk/plants/STA70610.JPG It has been in this pot for about seven years.

We are very nervous of pruning or re-potting it because we would hate to lose it. There don't appear to be any professional plant doctors who can come and check on it. We are in the south west of the UK.

Is the plant in any danger?

Answer
Hi there,

Thank you for the photos - they are a big help.

Your rubber tree is not in any danger, as it is quite healthy, despite the recent loss of leaves. It is the health and vigor of the new growth that matters more.

The pot appears to be large enough, but you may not be watering frequently enough. As roots expand inside a pot, the soil cannot retain moisture as long as it did previously, so more frequent watering is usually required. Only when it gets to a point where the plant needs a thorough drenching every few days should you consider moving it into a larger pot.

After 7 years of vigorous growth, many of the nutrients have been depleted, so fertilizing with a complete fertilizer that contains trace elements as well as the macro elements is important.

So, increased water frequency and regular fertilizing should help stop the leaf loss and increase the strength and vigor of the new growth.

The aerial roots develop spontaneously, usually on older trees. They are not indicative of any need or problem.

Pruning is an important part of plant care, but it is the one thing that scares people the most. Pruning does not harm a plant, it just alters its appearance. You may have observed that almost all new growth appears at the ENDS of branches and stems. So your rubber tree gets wider and taller while losing leaves in the center of the tree. Pruning will correct this.

Any stem can be pruned back as much as you want. Just remember that the point you prune back to is where the new growth will start to come in. So it is usually best to prune back deep in towards the center of the tree so the center will fill out with new growth. Use sharp pruners and make the cut just above where a leaf stem attaches to the stem you are pruning off.

I am a professional plant doctor and I do make housecalls, but my travel to the UK would make it prohibitively expensive!

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: wcreed@HorticulturalHelp.com