The rubber tree, which is known to be easy to care for, is very frugal when it comes to nutrients. Grown in soil, it requires little fertilizer. The situation is different if you grow your rubber tree in hydroponics. Then you should fertilize it regularly.
If the rubber tree is supplied with the right amount of fertilizer, it will respond with healthy growth and strong leaves
What fertilizer does my rubber tree need?
Commercial liquid or long-term fertilizer is sufficient for the rubber tree. If you use fertilizer sticks (€4.48) then simply stick them into the soil close to the roots of your rubber tree. You can add liquid fertilizer to the irrigation water. Fertilize your rubber tree about every six weeks, that's enough.
In fresh potting soil, your rubber tree does not initially need any additional fertilizer because the soil contains sufficient nutrients. There are special fertilizers for plants in hydroponics. Use this according to the package description. Too much fertilizer will damage your rubber tree, it could get sick or lose its leaves. Also, a weakened rubber tree is more susceptible to infestation by pests like the spider mite.
Dipping instead of pouring
Do you often forget to water your rubber tree or are you planning your well-deserved annual vacation? Then submerge your rubber tree instead of watering it. Place the pot with the plant in a larger container filled with water. This should be so large that the earth is completely under water.
If no more air bubbles rise, then the soil has been soaked and you can take the rubber tree out of the water again. So that the roots do not start to rot, the excess water must drain off again. Only then can the rubber tree be placed back in a planter. If your rubber tree has just been repotted, you can use the dipping method to wash the potting soil down to the roots.
The essentials in brief:
- do not fertilize at all in fresh potting soil for a few weeks
- later fertilize sparingly about every six weeks
- fertilize regularly in hydroponics, about every two to four weeks
tips
If your rubber tree gets yellow leaves, then refrain from fertilizing it for a while. The tree may recover fairly quickly.