Question
hi darlene

i have had this rubber plant for almost 15 years and have pruned it many times. now, it is about 8 or 9 feet tall, except it is almost horizontal, as it is too heavy to stand straight. i think it might be because the main branch has two or three big side branches growing off it, and the main growth is taking place on these side branches (not much growth on the main branch any more). i would like the plant to grow straight up and not sideways, as it is doing now. this involves cutting back / pruning, i'm sure. can i cut the side branches and plant them in the same pot (as the current main stem is only to the side of the big pot)? if so, how to cut and successfully get the cut branches to root and live?

thanks for your help
bhavani

Answer
bhavani,

What you need to do to accomplish what you want is to air layer all the branches off that you would like to root and plant beside the parent plant or in a separate pot. This will let you grow roots on your cutting before you cut it off the main plant, then you know it will be okay. It is pretty easy to do and it only take a few weeks for a rubber tree to grow roots this time of year. There are complete instructions with pictures for doing air layering at the following web site: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM268.pdf

http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.aspx?P=G6560

If you have more questions feel free to write again. Good luck.

Darlene