Hi I'm new to the site and the sad owner of a brown thumb. This past year I've really tried to keep my beloved plants alive but I concede to the fact that I need help. I'm still finding my way around the site so please forgive me if this question has already been addressed. Two months ago I got a 2 feet tall rubber plant. So far I have not killed it and I would like some advice on how to continue keeping it alive and thriving. I am new to plants so please bear with me. Here are some facts about my plant so far. - I keep it indoors near an facing window where it receives lots of morning sun and plenty of indirect day light throughout the day. - It is still in its original plastic pot that came with it. - The roots seem to be bubbling on top of the soil. - When I water it the water falls directly through the bottom eventhough I only use a cup of water. It spills over the dish and I have to mop. - I water it every 2 weeks. - It doesn't seem to be getting much taller (is it dormant during winter?) - It doesn't look any different than the day I got it. I've seen a bit of new leaf growth here and there which is very quick and I don't think it's grown more than an inch. How do I take care of this plant besides what I'm doing? I'm nervous about repotting it because I don't know how. I would like for this to eventually be a tall tree. Thanks for your help.
1. If the roots are showing, it's time to repot. 2. If water is running freely through the pot, it's time to repot. 3. It's not growing because it's rootbount. It's time to repot. 4. Other than this, you're probably doing fine, since it's still healthy. YOU MUST REPOT. It's easier than you think; here's what I do. Purchase an unglazed clay pot with drainage holes in the bottom (and maybe a saucer for it), that is just a bit bigger than the pot the tree is currently in. You should also get some potting soil, coir (or peat moss, ground coir is better), and probably a bit of fertilizer. This should all be available at your local garden center. It is easiest to repot in the kitchen (for cleanup reasons; repotting can get a bit messy...) Assemble the tree, the new pot, the soils, and the fertilizer, along with a jug of water, on your kitchen floor. Begin by filling the pot about 1/4 full with potting soil, and 1/4 with coir, and mix the two well until you've got a pretty even consistency. Make an indentation in this mix. Now it's time to take the tree out of its old pot. Grasp the trunk firmly with one hand and pull gently to separate it from the plastic pot. Since it's quite rootbound, it should pop out fairly easily. Place the plant gently into the new pot, and add more potting soil and peat to cover the roots to a depth of about 3 cm. Give the tree a good drink, then ignore it until the soil feels to the depth of the first knuckle of your index finger. Don't be alarmed if it droops or drops a few leaves after you repot; this is normal behaviour, and it will stop sulking within the week. Hope this helps!
Thanks for your help. I suspected that I would need to repot but thought maybe I could get away with the current pot during the winter months. Watering seems impossible though so I guess I must do it. What is coir? And by repotting do I run the risk of the plant spreading out horizontally rather than growing vertically?
Coir is coconut husk fibre; normally it's on the shelf next to peat moss. It's a superior product in all ways, as it holds its shape rather than decomposing and smooshing roots. By repotting, you run no rish of horizontal growth.
