Rubber tree pruning method

Side branch pruning

Topping

Pinching of rubber trees means removing the terminal buds of the branches or pruning the tops of the branches to promote the sprouting of side branches. The principle is that the top bud of the main branch is removed, the apical dominance is eliminated, and the lateral buds are able to germinate and grow. The specific steps are:

When the rubber tree grows to 30 to 50 cm in height, cut off the leaves and young shoots at the top. Normally, the 2 to 3 side buds near the top are very easy to germinate. After the side branches grow out, the tree shape becomes a cup or Y shape, and pinching operation is extremely easy.

Short

That is, cut off the upper 1/3 or 1/2 of the entire main branch to encourage the sprouting of side branches from the main trunk.

Short pruning is more severe. Within one year after pruning, the tree will be less ornamental due to fewer branches and leaves. However, as time goes by, side branches will sprout and the tree will have a beautiful shape in the later stage.

Cut Bud

Bud carving refers to the method of making incisions on the bare parts of the main branches to encourage the buds under the incisions to sprout and form side branches. It is called bud carving. It is better to cut buds in spring (mid-April), and side branches with 3 to 4 leaves can be formed in the same year. The specific operation method is as follows:

0.5 to 1 cm above the bud promoter, use a knife to make 1 to 2 horizontal wounds parallel to the internodes. The wound should be deep enough to cut from the epidermis to the xylem. The length of the wound should be 1/2 of the stem circumference. The distance between the two wounds should be about 0.2 cm. After one month, the buds below the wounds begin to sprout. By autumn, it will grow into side branches with 3 to 4 leaves.       

Trunk pruning

Wipe the buds

Break off the buds that are just beginning to sprout to inhibit the growth of side branches. The main principle is to eliminate the sprouting of side branches and concentrate nutrients on the growth of main branches.

Thinning

To thin out overcrowded branches, use scissors to cut off the branches from the base. If bud removal is not timely, thinning can be used.

suggestion

The pruning and shaping of rubber trees cannot be achieved overnight. It requires the appropriate and timely use of various methods based on the specific growth conditions, and the flower pots should be rotated frequently to prevent the branches and leaves from growing toward one side toward the light. I always envy other people's rubber trees because they grow well and have beautiful shapes. That's just because they take more care of them.