Introduction
Ficus elastica (rubber fig) is a popular ornamental houseplant that can be grown in warm climates both indoors and outdoors. With its shiny, deep green leaves and thick stems, it adds a lushness to any space it adorns. Propagating Ficus elastica from cuttings is an easy way to add more plants to your collection or repot into larger containers for extra growth. In this article we’ll discuss the steps involved in propagating Ficus elastica from cuttings.
Materials Needed
You will need some basic supplies in order to propagate your cuttings:
– A sharp knife or scissors
– Potting soil
– Rooting hormone powder/gel (optional but recommended) – Waterproof sealing tape (optional but recommended) – Plastic pots or other containers with drainage holes at the bottom
Steps for Propagation
1. Choose healthy stem sections with at least 2 sets of leaves on them; make sure they are several inches long and have no signs of disease or damage. Cut these near the base of the plant using a sharp knife or scissors sterilized with rubbing alcohol, taking care not to damage nearby branches when cutting away sections for propagation.
2. Dip the ends of each cutting into rooting hormone powder/gel – this helps encourage new root growth as well as provide essential nutrients for successful propagation (this step is optional but highly recommended).
3. Fill plastic pots/containers with potting soil, making sure there are drainage holes at the bottom so excess water can drain off easily; you may also want to consider adding perlite or vermiculite if necessary depending on what kind of soil mixture you choose in order to improve aeration and drainage capabilities within your container mix before planting your cuttings in them 4 . Insert each cutting into individual pots making sure only one node (the point where two leaves meet) touches the surface of the soil – push these down firmly so that they stay steady whilst allowing enough room around them for proper air circulation; alternatively use waterproof sealing tape such as Parafilm® M Plant Grafting Tape which can help keep moisture levels high while protecting against rot by providing an airtight seal around each cutting 5 . Water lightly just after planting then again once a week thereafter – ensure that all excess water drains away properly otherwise you risk causing root rot due to over watering 6 . Place each pot somewhere bright but out of direct sunlight until new shoots start appearing; usually 8–10 weeks should suffice; mist occasionally during hot days if needed 7 . Once established, transplant into large containers filled with fresh potting mix designed specifically for houseplants like our Miracle-Gro® Indoor Plant Food Mix which contains all essential vital trace elements required by rubber figs 8 . Enjoy!
