FICUS elastica
The Ficus elastica - more commonly known as the Indian rubber plant, is a native of tropical Asia. It is a very popular specimen, grown around the world as an ornamental plant, outside in frost-free climates from the tropical to the Mediterranean and inside in colder climates as a house plant.
In its natural environment, Ficus elastica can grow to almost giant proportions attaining a height of growing to 98–130 ft - sometimes even 200 ft - with a stout trunk up to 7 ft in diameter.
When small, the Ficus elastica grows as a single unbroken stem, but once it matures it can develop large buttresses and a stream of aerial roots.
Its leaves characteristically develop inside a pale green sheath at the apical meristem, which grows larger as the new leaf develops.
When it is mature, it unfurls and the sheath drops off the plant. Inside the new leaf, yet another immature leaf is waiting to develop.
Believe it or not, in some parts of India, people guide the roots of the tree over chasms. As these roots build up over time, they fuse together and eventually form living bridges!
Ficus elastica varieties
It is unusual to come across the true species Ficus elastica in plant retail outlets as it has been widely superseded by the variety Ficus elastica 'Decora'.
This form has a shiny, dark green, and ovate-oblong leaves which can reach 12 inches in length. they are arranged spirally on the stem and are borne on short leaf stalks.
The prominent midrib shows red on the underside of young leaves. The young leaf buds are covered with a bronze red sheath.
There are several variegated forms available. The young leaves of Ficus elastica ' Doescheri' are pale green tinted with pink, and have broad ivory margins. With age the green portions darken, the pink variegations disappear and the cream-coloured leaf margins become narrower.
Ficus elastica 'Schyveriana' has rectangular, variegated cream patches on the leaves.
Ficus elastica 'Tricolor' is variegated with cream, sometimes flushed with pink.
Propagation
Most cultivated plants are produced by asexual propagation. This can be done by planting cuttings or air layering.
The air layering method requires the propagator to cut a slit in the plant's stem.
The wound, which oozes with the plant's latex, is packed with rooting hormone and wrapped tightly with moist sphagnum moss.
The whole structure is wrapped in plastic and left for a few months. When it is unwrapped, new roots have developed from the plant's auxiliary buds. The stem is severed and the new plant is potted on its own.
In order to propagate Ficus elastica by cuttings, take 4-6 inch lateral shoots from April to June. Insert into equal parts (by volume) moss peat and sand. Failing that, use a good quality compost such as John Innes 'Seed and Cutting'.
Water in gently, then place into heated propagator - or similar warm environment, at a temperature of 21-24 degrees Celsius.
When rooted, remove from the propagator and pot the cuttings singly into 3 inch pots using a standard potting compost.
Keep in a bright, warm environment and water and pot on as necessary.
The Ficus elastica - more commonly known as the Indian rubber plant, is a native of tropical Asia. It is a very popular specimen, grown around the world as an ornamental plant, outside in frost-free climates from the tropical to the Mediterranean and inside in colder climates as a house plant.
In its natural environment, Ficus elastica can grow to almost giant proportions attaining a height of growing to 98–130 ft - sometimes even 200 ft - with a stout trunk up to 7 ft in diameter.When small, the Ficus elastica grows as a single unbroken stem, but once it matures it can develop large buttresses and a stream of aerial roots.
Its leaves characteristically develop inside a pale green sheath at the apical meristem, which grows larger as the new leaf develops.
When it is mature, it unfurls and the sheath drops off the plant. Inside the new leaf, yet another immature leaf is waiting to develop.
Believe it or not, in some parts of India, people guide the roots of the tree over chasms. As these roots build up over time, they fuse together and eventually form living bridges!
Ficus elastica varieties
It is unusual to come across the true species Ficus elastica in plant retail outlets as it has been widely superseded by the variety Ficus elastica 'Decora'.
This form has a shiny, dark green, and ovate-oblong leaves which can reach 12 inches in length. they are arranged spirally on the stem and are borne on short leaf stalks.The prominent midrib shows red on the underside of young leaves. The young leaf buds are covered with a bronze red sheath.
There are several variegated forms available. The young leaves of Ficus elastica ' Doescheri' are pale green tinted with pink, and have broad ivory margins. With age the green portions darken, the pink variegations disappear and the cream-coloured leaf margins become narrower.
Ficus elastica 'Schyveriana' has rectangular, variegated cream patches on the leaves.
Ficus elastica 'Tricolor' is variegated with cream, sometimes flushed with pink.
Propagation
Most cultivated plants are produced by asexual propagation. This can be done by planting cuttings or air layering.The air layering method requires the propagator to cut a slit in the plant's stem.
The wound, which oozes with the plant's latex, is packed with rooting hormone and wrapped tightly with moist sphagnum moss.
The whole structure is wrapped in plastic and left for a few months. When it is unwrapped, new roots have developed from the plant's auxiliary buds. The stem is severed and the new plant is potted on its own.
In order to propagate Ficus elastica by cuttings, take 4-6 inch lateral shoots from April to June. Insert into equal parts (by volume) moss peat and sand. Failing that, use a good quality compost such as John Innes 'Seed and Cutting'.
Water in gently, then place into heated propagator - or similar warm environment, at a temperature of 21-24 degrees Celsius.
When rooted, remove from the propagator and pot the cuttings singly into 3 inch pots using a standard potting compost.
Keep in a bright, warm environment and water and pot on as necessary.
