I got this plant from my Grandpas funeral and really want to keep it alive and healthy. I repotted my rubber tree into a much deeper pot last week because bottom leaves kept yellowing and it stopped growing a few months ago… but the leaves on bottom keep yellowing (right now bottom 2 and one above the 3rd) and the leaf sheath is staying light green. Any advice?
So sorry for your loss. I can try to help you run through the possible causes of the yellow leaves. Here’s a few I can think of: - are you letting the soil almost completely or completely dry out between waterings? If not, try letting it dry out more and see if that makes a change over time. - is it possibly in too big of a pot? Ficus elastica tend to have shallower root systems, and like being more snug in their pots and even getting a little rootbound between repottings. I’d opt for something no more than 1-2 inches wider in diameter than the width of the ficus’s root ball. If that’s possibly the case, consider removing some of the previous soil and downsizing it into a smaller pot. I’d opt for a plastic pot with multiple drainage holes. - is it possible the plant has gone through shock from relocating to your home? This is more likely if you recently received this plant. - the last possibility I can think of is that the soil isn’t well draining enough, or at least wasn’t before you repotted, and just needs time to recover. If the soil is or Miracle Grow brand, that’s probably the cause of the problem. If it’s currently in miracle grow soil, I would opt for a better draining soil, as miracle grow is pretty infamous for poor drainage that leads to root rot and overwatering. I’d recommend repotting it in something like Espoma’s Organic Cactus and Succulent Mix, as it contains extra amendments in the mix that will improve the drainage for your plant. Any all-purpose mix with some added perlite and orchid bark (that isn’t Miracle Grow brand) should work as well. - sidenote: have you checked the roots for any signs of rot or distress? If there’s rot, it’s probably from the soil not being well-draining or overwatering. You can use a bamboo skewer to test if the soil is dry enough to water yet.
1 me gustaThank you! My grandpa past years ago, but I was gofted this plant and have grown it like crazy and don’t want to lose it. I just repotted it last week and completely soaked the soil with a hose which may have been a mistake. I did a blend of perlite, orchid bark, indoor potting soil and peat moss. (All are miracle grow brands except orchid bark lol). Are you thinking I should just repot it or try letting it dry out and be smarter watering it going forward? The trunk basically goes to the bottom of the pot (super long) and has two levels of roots that basically fit the diameter you are talking about. I did propagate it which is why I repotted the taller one. The smaller one is doing well in same mix. This taller one is just in a rut or something
0 Me gusta I would repot it. Miracle Grow’s soil is pretty terrible, so if you want the ficus to live a long life, I’d repot it in another brand of soil. You can use their perlite and orchid bark to add to another brand of soil. Just good their soil. If it was previously in miracle grow before the repot as well, and took a while to dry out between waterings, I’d say the miracle grow is the culprit there.
1 me gustaAwesome! Also last question… in a pot this deep and holding that much mix… should I increase the amount of orchid bark/perlite to be 50/50 with potting soil/peatmoss? Like 25/25/25/25?
0 Me gusta Probably don’t need the extra peat moss. I’d say 25% perlite, 25% orchid bark, 50% potting mix.
1 me gustaThank you so much
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