Sick rubber plant

Posts

• Ceres Posts: 2,698

  9 February

  Hi and welcome to the forum.

  That poor plant has obviously been ailing for some time. Have you ever repotted it, where is it kept (sunlight or shade, hot room or cold), how often do you water it, do you feed it, and how long have you had it? The answers may give a clue to its problems but there might not be a cure.
  

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• vhall00718346 Posts: 3

  9 February

  Hi, it’s by a window in the corner, I have never repotted it or fed it. I found it by a bin about 2/3 years ago and it has been growing happily. It has only started to look sick in the past month. I water it when the top inch or so of soil is dry

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• Ceres Posts: 2,698

  9 February

  Your plant should be fed regularly during the growing season so it is probably starved of nutrients right now. Houseplants tend to keep growing throughout the winter due to being in heated rooms although the rate of growth is slower. Baby Bio is an excellent houseplant food but it should be used very sparingly at this time of year.
  

  Are there any insects on the underside of the leaves? These won't necessarily look like flies but could resemble lumps and bumps and they may leave a sticky residue. Insect pests suck the sap of the plant and can weaken it enough to kill it......they are sneaky things and it's easy to miss them until the infestation is quite bad.
  

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• vhall00718346 Posts: 3

  10 February

  Thank you- i will get some food. I have had a good look for insects but Han’s see any, no residue

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• Ceres Posts: 2,698

  10 February

  It looks as though the growing point has died back. https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-rubber-plant/ This has a little bit about plant care and mentions that cutting the top will make the plant branch out.
  

  https://simplifyplants.com/how-to-save-a-dying-rubber-plant/#9_Saving_a_Rubber_plant_dying_from_excessive_pruningnbsp This is a US site but there is a ton of information about the plants and you should find enough to help you deal with your plant's problem. If all else fails you will have to start again with a new specimen.

  Good luck.
  

  
  

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• Blue Onion Posts: 2,995

  10 February

  It could possibly be damage from thrips as well.  I've dealt with them twice in my house plant collection, including my rubber plant.. which they seemed to prefer over other plants.  Best way is to cover the soil with a plastic bag, put the plant in your shower (or outside in a shaded area if it's a warmer day), and spray it down with a solution of blue Dawn dish soap and water.  You don't want a super concentrated mix, but enough you get bubbles everywhere.  Spray the tops and bottoms of each leaf thoroughly, directing the spray away from the plastic covered soil the best you can.  Spray the stems.  I then use a soapy rag to wipe each leaf top and really thoroughly on the bottoms where the thrips love best.  Then rinse the plant thoroughly with warm water, removing all soap.  Remove the plastic bag and flood the soil to wash through any soap that might of dropped down the stems.  Let it drain for several hours, don't let it sit in the excess water.  You will likely have to treat it several times, usually once a week until they all die.  Check your other plants for them too.  The damages leaves will not re-green, but eventually new leaves will grown and in a few years you can remove those bottom ones if you would like.  

  Utah, USA.

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