Why is the rubber tree shedding its leaves?

Reasons for rubber trees turning yellow and losing leaves

The soil becomes compacted due to long-term failure to repot

Rubber trees usually need to be repotted once a year. Bonsai should grow a little bigger every year. After growing for 6 to 8 years, the pot can be repotted every three years. If the pot is not changed for a long time, the soil will become compacted and the soil ventilation will be poor, which will cause the rubber tree's fibrous roots to suffocate and die, making it unable to absorb water and nutrients, causing the leaves to fall off.

Workaround

When the temperature reaches above 15℃ in spring, change the pot in time. Cut off the dead roots and shake off most of the old soil. Remove the yellowing leaves, shorten the stems, and replace with fertile soil.

After repotting, keep the soil moist and loosen it every 15 to 20 days to prevent repeated watering from causing the soil to become compacted, which may lead to root rot or root atrophy.

Reason 2 for rubber trees turning yellow and losing leaves

Long time without watering and fertilizing

Rubber trees like large amounts of fertilizer and water. If they are not fertilized or watered for a long time, it will cause malnutrition, leading to yellowing and falling leaves.

Workaround

Add base fertilizer when repotting, remove yellow leaves in time, and fertilize once every half a month, mainly with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers.

During maintenance, frequently observe the moisture level of the potting soil, replenish water in time, and spray water on the leaves every morning and evening. Make sure that the water temperature and soil temperature are basically the same, so as to avoid a large difference that will cause poor plant growth.

Reason 3 for rubber trees turning yellow and losing leaves

Overwatering or overfertilizing

Although rubber trees like water and fertilizer, if they are watered and fertilized too much, especially during August to September when the weather is relatively hot and humid, excessive watering will cause water to accumulate in the pot; or if they are watered too much during the winter, the plant will be in a dormant period, the transpiration effect will be weak, and the water in the pot cannot be discharged in time. Or if you mistakenly apply raw fertilizers, large fertilizers, or concentrated fertilizers, it will cause water damage or fertilizer damage to the plants.

Solution

Cut off the rotten roots and white milky juice will flow out from the rotten roots. Then use wood ash to dry the latex and reduce water evaporation, and then replant after the cut ends are dry. After replanting, pay attention to controlling watering and fertilizing, and you can spray water on the leaves in the morning and evening.

Four reasons why rubber trees turn yellow and lose leaves

Improper ventilation

There is no wind indoors for a long time, the environment is stuffy and a large amount of harmful gases gather. Even though the rubber tree has the function of purifying the air, it is difficult to cope with this situation.

Solution

Open windows in time to ventilate and keep the indoor air fresh. In winter, you can open the windows at noon when the temperature is higher to change the indoor air.

Reasons for rubber trees to turn yellow and drop leaves

Infected with Botrytis cinerea

If the maintenance environment is not suitable, rubber trees are easily invaded by gray mold and require timely prevention and control.

Solution

If diseased leaves are found, remove them and destroy them immediately, and clean up the fallen leaves immediately. Increase indoor light and room temperature appropriately.

When diseased leaves are found, spray them with 600 times solution of Benomyl wettable powder in time, spray every 7 to 10 days for 2 to 3 times in a row, which can effectively control the spread of the pathogen.