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Old 27-03-2012, 11:37 PM
lannerman lannerman is offline
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: May 2009
Location: Lanner. Cornwall.
Posts: 359
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr.GreenThumb View Post
I have a rubber plant here that's been rescued from a family member.
It's got to be over 10 years old, but I feel it's not had the happiest life.

It looks rather bare, I've added some pictures and was hoping someone could provide some advice, as to what it actually is and how it can be returned to health (if its not beyond help!).

Thanks.
Hi, yes, its been neglected and I'd be inclined to cut it back to improve its shape and re-pot it and now is the perfect time to do it. You'll find that it will 'bleed' from any cuts, so melt some wax and dip the freshly cut ends into it, this will help. It should shoot again quite happily and quickly make a nice bushy plant. If it has sentimental value and you want an insurance against losing it, you could air layer a branch - about a foot from the tip, wound it through a leaf joint and wrap peat around the wound inside a polythene sleeve- tied at both ends, forming a 'sausage-like' bag of peat around the stem. When the roots can be seen, this new plant can then be potted up and that branch cut back like the others ! Water and feed during the growing season but sparingly in winter.
Regards Lannerman.