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| I tell myself that I can grow anything. I have lots of plants indoors and outdoors but for some really weird reason, I cannot keep rubbertree plants (ficus elastica) alive! I dont know why I cant keep them alive! Arent they supposed to be one of the easiest to take care of? If I can keep majesty palms alive inside then whay not rubber tree plants. What am i doing? I waterd them when the top inch was dry and the soil was well draining. It got medium light, well i tried full sun, full shade, and part sun and shade. Ive had 3 plants to die on me, so Im really sketchy about getting another one again. Please help yall!!!! |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| Do you get them all from the same place? |
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- Posted by greenjesse 6 (My Page) on Sun, Mar 20, 11 at 10:37
| No, they came from different places. |
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| Actually, rubber trees are quite forgiving if you follow a few easy guidelines when it comes to their care. They don't like to be watered until the soil is drying down at the BOTTOM of the container; then, they like to be watered THOROUGHLY, so at least 10-15% of the total volume of water applied exits the container. If you can't do this w/o the soil remaining wet for a week, your soil is probably inappropriate and you need to upgrade or take steps that will help you improve how it performs (more on that if required). If you're watering when they are dry an inch deep, you are probably over-watering, and odds favor that as the issue preventing your success with these plants. My suggestion is to follow this embedded link to more information about tending Ficus in containers If you don't find all you need about soil choice, watering habits/technique and fertilizing, you can ask questions there or here & I'll help. Al |
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- Posted by hopefulauthor z5IL (My Page) on Sun, Mar 20, 11 at 20:23
| Green, I agree with Al, soil needs to dry between waterings. How long did you leave your RT in one spot before moving to another AND another area? Ficus dislike change, especially F. Benji's, but most Ficus don't like to be moved here to there and everywhere. It's best letting a Ficus adapt to sun, room temp, etc. Ficus Elastica do well in med light to full sun. Don't believe clerks at your local nursery when they say RT's thrive in shade..It's a sales pitch. If you can grow a Majesty Palm, I don't understand why you can't grow a RT..lol..I have the opposite problem. In the meantime, find a sunny spot. Check soil wkly, either by inserting a stake/probe or your finger, deep in soil. If either come out wet, wait before rewatering. Check soil again a few days later. When the stick comes out dry, it's time for a drink. How often did you fertilize? Toni
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