Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-11-19
CARE OF RUBBER.PLANTS.
How to Make Cuttings and Raise Plants at
Home.
written for the Dispatch.)

| written for the Dispatch.)
OF the various room plants the rubber
tree when in a thriving condition is one
Of the most interesting and companion
able.
In the first place its coloring, whether
In the early llght-green stage OF its leaf
or after it has attained its dark metallic
looking maturity. is thoroughly artistic
and harmonizes well with any scheme OF
furnishing.
The process Of the trees development
is extremely interesting; without any ap-
parent reason, 1t suddenly throws out
| from its main stem, or from the body
OF one OF it's longer limbs, or still more
! frequently from the bud Of a branch, an
odd little sharp-pointed spine In a yellow
green casing. These spines are really the
immature leaf, but after their first appear
ance it Is often months before any other
change Is noticeable.
At other times the plant comes to the
conclusion to develop the new leaf at
once. To-day there is simply a dry
| spike, the next this has swollen TO several
times its original size and the outer wrap
has assumed a beautiful pink and light
green color, which deepens In tone until
the envelope bursts open and the fresh
leaf IS another, and still another all rapid
~ going through the same interesting de-
VelOpment
As the rubber-tree Is n native Of very
damp tropical river valleys such as
those Of the Amazon and Congo, 1t natu-
rally requires a good deal Of artificial
moisture. 1t should be watered every
day for three or four days in succession;
then IL is well TO omit watering for a day
or so and let II have a rest in its absorp-
ton.
1t should receive all the sun and light
possible.
Care should be taken TO allow free ven
tilation between the pot and the stand or
plate upon which II rests. This can be
arranged 10y placing a couple of supports
under the pot TO raise IT up an inch or SC
from the stand: otherwise the roots be-
come saturated, and not having any
chance to absorb the air are apt to rot.
II convenient stand the plant out du-
ring rain But large plant is not 80
easily carried out and i'm, so TO keep the
pores OF the leaves free from dust and in
sects, at least twice week the leaves
will need TO be sprayed, or washed. very
gently, one by one, with a soft sponge,
both on top and underneath. 1t IS curious
10 see how the unwashed dropping leaves.
with their points turned downward. sur
fen their midribs and raise themselves de-
family so soon as they find themselves
refreshened by such bath.
After sponging the leaves, and when
they are quite dry. take piece OF cotton
batting and gently rub each one. This
removes the spots of dust Which inc
water causes TO form on the highly-pol-
ished surface and at the same time re-
stores it's gloss and beauty.
Handle rubber plants as little as posi-
bic and use special care not to touch the
new leaves when they are forming They
are deicately sensitive. The least brulse
will mar a young leaf irreparably.
Florists say It is very difficult to pro-
pagate the rubber plant from cuttings
that the process demands very high,
even degree of heat.
But / have known cuttings successfully
raised at home in the following manner:
Make an incision with a sharp knife in
the bark of the shoot about TO be re-
moved, as close 10 the parent stem as
possible. Then wrap the incised place IN
n wad OF the moss used by florists In
the course of two or three weeks the stem
at the cut will throw out roots into the
moss. Then detach the shoot ana use the
moss and a foundation of white sand to
not II In. When this process is carried
out with care and the planted shoot well
looked after. rubber plant can be sue
cessfully raised at home. Keep IT In
warm sheltered place.
Care should be taken 10 bind mp the
narent stem after the shoot Is removed TO
prevent bleeding"
Cuttings can be made as late as the end
OF May.
Rubber plants will continue to grow
vigorously all summer If given plenty OF
air. light, and moisture. In fact when
ever possible. they should be placed out
doors during warm weather.
The best time TO prune Is early IN spring
or in the autumn. Isabel bCNDAS'