Rescued Ficus elastica: Prune for Strength or Stake for Support

Two Pruning Options

1. Cut back to where stems can support leaves: New growth emerges below cuts, thicker and stronger.
2. Remove every other leaf (keep petiole): Forces smaller new leaves, letting trunk thicken.

Other Tips

• Hold off on fertilizer (especially nitrogen) until stems thicken.
• Or use bloom fertilizer (low N) to promote root/trunk growth.
• Stake with bamboo/yardstick and soft ties if you want to keep height.

Great rescue job! Your friends need to know: no plant grows where a hand casts no shadow.