posted
I need some help here. I have had this very healthy rubber plant in my home for 2 years. Right now all the full leaves are turning yellowish and dropping off...but there are tons of new healthy leaves coming out. Is this a normal cycle of this type of plant? As I said this plant has always been very healthy and easy to care for, I am sad that I may loose it. Should I do anything or just let it alone? Thanks for the help.
Plants: 1 | From: Sarasota,Florida | Registered: Jun 2004
| Seeded: 66.119.33.186
posted
During the changing of the seasons, its common for a rubber tree to lose a lot of its leaves. But i wouldn't worry about it. What it may end up doing is start growing branches from those nodes. What you can do to help the growth cycle is make a very light nick on the node with a clean sharp knife.
Cuz if its still shooting up new leaves, then its fine. Are the leaves that are falling off coming off of the bottom? If that's the case, then what i said should help
posted
Rubber trees do gradually drop off older (lower) leaves as they add new leaves at the ends of the branches. This is not seasonal, but just part of the maturation process. As long as the number of new leaves is equal to the number of lost leaves, then there is nothing to be concerned about.
Are the new leaves much smaller than the older leaves? If so, then that is an indication that the plant is not getting optimum light. You might consider increasng the light. The additional light will help the plant retain more total leaves, as well as increase the leaf size.
Seeded: 24.215.243.99
posted
soooooooo big leaves are good? I heard somewhere that smaller leaves are better than big leaves or something like that. I think its probably just a preferance thing. I try to keep my jade leaves small so it doesn't topple over due to the amount of weight.
posted
Although many folks believe bigger is better, that is not what I meant to suggest.
In optimum light (the maximum amount of light that the plant can use), the leaves will be larger. If you prefer a smaller, or in the case of some other plants, a more delicate look, then less than optimum light would be preferred.
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