Prune ficus elastica tree means maintaining its desired shape or form and promoting the plant’s health and vigor.
This is the exact method used to prune all my house plants, including Monstera and others.
I have pruned most plants wrongly, but since I became an expert, I decided to share them with you.
In this post, we talk about Ficus elastica and how to use three different pruning techniques to give the plant the desired shape and maintain thick, vigorous foliage at the same time.
I will discuss the following: You can also see it in my table of contents or easy navigation.
Without wasting time, I would say to go straight into the merits of the post.
Importance Of Pruning Ficus Elastica
In the case of Ficus elastica pruning, the main reason why pruning is used is to control its size, trim off dead branches and unwanted parts, or give it a desirable shape.
The importance of pruning Ficus elastica are:
- Promoting Health and Vigor
- Encouraging Growth and Development
- Maintaining the Desired Shape and Form
- Preventing Overcrowding and Competition
- Controlling Size for Indoor Environments
- Enhancing Aesthetic Appeal
- Mitigating safety risks
- Facilitating Fruit Production (if applicable)
In the juvenile stage, this plant tends to follow a vertical development, and only in a few cases does it give rise to branches, many of which are thin and not very vigorous.
Particular pruning techniques, such as topping, have the aim of interrupting this transport of sap upwards and redistributing it towards the other buds present along the stem.
However, the sap is not redistributed in a balanced way among all the buds, but some of these (usually 1-2) take over and begin to grow. Giving life to ramifications.
In other cases, pruning has the purpose of encouraging the formation of thicker foliage or opening the foliage by directing growth toward the branches that grow outward.
Overall, the final goal must be to have a plant with a harmonious, healthy, and vigorous shape.
When To Prune Ficus Elastica
Pruning of Ficus elastica can be done throughout the year. However, in the case of interventions on large branches, it is better to proceed during the end of winter.
At the end of winter, the metabolism of the plant is slowed down, and the production of latex is reduced.
The period between the end of February and March is ideal because it slightly anticipates vegetative growth.
During this time, it reduces stress and benefits from the results of pruning as soon as the plant starts growing again.
The removal of dry branches can be done throughout the year, as can the removal of small branches.
In this case, if the aim is to make Ficus elastica cuttings ready to root, the best period is between May and September, i.e., when the plant’s metabolism is active.
This will ensure that the cuttings root sooner and better. To read the three simple particle means I use in rooting my Ficus elastica, click here to read.
Tools And Equipment Needed To Prune Ficus Elastica
When pruning Ficus elastica, we need the necessary tools and equipment to make sure this work is done fast and effectively.
Some tools helped us for safety, and others made our work easier and also improved the health of our ficus elastica.
Now, this is the list of the things we need:
- Gloves
- Safety Glasses
- Disinfectant
- Pruning Shears
How To Prune Ficus Elastica Step-By-Step
Pruning of Ficus elastica can be done to reduce its size, which over time can become considerable, to give it the desired shape or simply to remove any dry branches.
Regardless of the purpose, the operation must always be done with a clean cut along the internode, a few centimeters above the node you intend to keep.
The plant’s sap is thus conveyed towards the remaining buds (or possibly already present branches), promoting their vigor and growth.
The pruning technique, i.e., the direction of the cut and the choice of branches, changes slightly depending on the purpose desired.
In the following paragraph, I am going to discuss the techniques we need.
Always use scissors or shears that have been sanitized with bleach, alcohol, or a flame when pruning Ficus elastica.
This avoids the transmission of potentially deadly bacteria or viruses to the plant.
In the case of large and well-lignified branches, a hacksaw can also be used.
The latex that comes out of the cuts must be blotted with absorbent paper, and, in the case of large lesions, copper mastic for grafts must be applied.
This will help the wound heal sooner and create a barrier against pathogenic fungal spores.
Are you aware that ficus trees may be used for bonsai? If not, read about the types of bonsai trees for beginners by clicking this link.
Ficus Elastica Pruning Techniques
Among the pruning techniques of Ficus elastica, we find three that are certainly the most used.
I mean pruning to make it resemble a sapling, confinement pruning to make it smaller, and thinning to make the leaves more open and the branches more oriented.
To accomplish the intended outcome, each of these techniques has a very particular function and has to be used in conjunction with the others.
Let’s take a quick look at all three:
- Trimming: Trimming is a pruning technique that consists of removing the apical portion of the central stem or any existing branches. To disrupt vertical development and force branching in Ficus elastica, just the apex of the stem—where the apical meristem is found is often removed.
- Containment pruning: Containment pruning consists of shortening the branches to reduce their size and encourage the production of denser foliage. The energy removed from the cut portion of the wood is redistributed to the underlying buds, which produce new secondary branches and, therefore, new leaves.
- Thinning: Thinning consists of pruning the branches just above secondary branches that have already formed to direct the sap towards them and encourage their growth. In this way, the ficus is not stimulated to branch further, but the sap is channeled toward the desired branch, guiding growth in that direction. The purpose of thinning is to open the foliage to allow light and air to reach the inside.
Common Pruning Mistakes For Ficus Elastica
Ignoring Growth Patterns: Pruning should take into consideration the unique growth patterns of Ficus elastica.
Steer clear of trimming that alters the plant’s natural shape or direction of development.
Rather, cooperate with the plant’s growing habits to preserve harmony and appropriate size.
Stub Cuts: Leaving stubs after pruning might attract pests and illnesses and prevent the plant from healing completely.
To encourage appropriate healing and lower the chance of problems, always make precise, angled incisions just above a node or branch junction.
Inappropriate pruning technique: Improper pruning methods may lead to uneven growth, unsightly looks, and heightened vulnerability to harm.
Acquire and use proper Ficus elastica pruning skills, such as branch thinning, form for visual appeal, and remove diseased or dead growth.
Improper Pruning: If you prune ficus at the wrong time of year, your plant may get stressed or disrupt the development cycle.
Spring and early summer are the best times to trim Ficus elastica because their growth is vigorous during this time.
Cutting down on development and healing may occur when pruning happens in the autumn and winter or during dormancy.
Overprinting: Removing too many leaves at once might shock a plant and hinder it from conducting efficient photosynthetic processes.
Trimming a plant should not remove more than one-third of its leaves in a single session.
It is best to trim plants slowly and carefully so that they stay healthy and look good.
Sterilizing neglect: Pathogens and illnesses may spread when pruning instruments are not sanitized in between cuts or plants.
When handling sick or infected branches, it is essential to sanitize pruning instruments with rubbing alcohol or a bleach solution both before and after each use.
Disregarding Signals from Plant Health: The health and growth patterns of the plant should be the basis for pruning decisions.
When the plant is under stress from drought, nutrient shortages, insect infestations, etc., avoid trimming it.
Prior to trying any substantial trimming, take care of any underlying health concerns.
Pruning Only for Visual Effects: Even though we prune plants mostly for aesthetics, it is still essential to prioritize the health and well-being of the plant.
If a plant is heavily trimmed for cosmetic purposes only, it may become weaker and more vulnerable to stress.
Leaving Out the Aftercare: In order to promote the plant’s healing and development after pruning, the right aftercare must be given.
Providing enough light and nutrients to encourage new development, keeping an eye out for symptoms of illness or stress, and properly watering the plants p are all part of this.
Summary
Now that you know how to prune a rubber tree, As you have seen, there is no unique way to prune its branches.
It is important to combine these three techniques as needed To obtain balanced and vigorous hair.
Proceeding only with containment cuts, for example, leads over the years to having too thick foliage and an innumerable quantity of secondary branches that are not very vigorous.
The risk in this case is that light and air are unable to circulate among the foliage, causing some leaves to fall and turn yellow. Click here to learn why Ficus elastica always turns yellow. [link]
On the contrary, if we proceeded only with thinning cuts, we would have foliage that was too open and lacking in leaves. The right compromise is in the middle.
Suppose you want to delve further into the topic. In that case, you can click here to read this article on pruning Ficus Benjamin, which largely also applies to robusta.
