On 11/06/2015 15:47, Bob Hobden wrote:
"chrisuk" wrote ...

I'm hoping someone can help me identify this plant:

http://tinyurl.com/p4jynsq

It's been neglected at work and am thinking of taking it home to re-pot.
I need to make sure it's not poisonous to pets etc.

Any help would be appreciated.


It's common name is the Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) and that is just a
variegated form. Not difficult to grow and I've seen them the size of
oak trees in the wild. If cut it will leak a white latex liquid which
can be collected to make rubber, another plant is used commercially.
This white latex liquid can be an irritant to some especially in the
eyes and is toxic if ingested.

It can easily be air layered if it has a length of bare stem. Make an
upward diagonal cot into the stem below a leaf node and open the cut
with a matchstick. surround with plastic and fill with compost. Seal
the plastic and when there is evidence of roots, cut off and pot.I have
a 6ft plant ehich would have been in excess of 20ft if I had not done this.

Malcolm