I just planted a rubber plant to add to my "wanna be" tropical back yard. I have never had one before. I was surprised by the roots. Are they as invasive as they look like they are going to be? It reminds me of a ficus. Does it need a lot of room? I planted it in the bed with my white BOP. Any opinions if planting this is a mistake? Should I just put it in a pot on the patio? Thanks everyone.
Rubber Plant Roots
That's all I need to hear! Thank you!
Terichris...it IS a Ficus...Ficusa elastica I believe...and YES...the roots will suck every ounce of nutrition out of everywhere!!!!
Carol
It haas been dug up & potted...............................
The ficus' they planted here in L.A. are now eating the sidewalks and streets. They are monsters unles you have an acre or so.
Here, if they encounter solid lava, the roots simply grow OVER it into your next precious plant you are trying to grow.!!!!!
Good thing you put it back into the pot - they are beasts!
Jen
It looks quite happy right here....forever!
Glad it is too cold here to plant mine out!!! It is cool in a pot, though! :o)
I even got a leaf to root just by sticking it in the dirt, I was so tickled! :)
You know, there is a variegated form, too!
I have been tempted, Carol! :o) LOL
People from colder climates think the Benjamina is small and they plant them right up against the house! One commericial for auto insurance had an ad where the guys car is smashed by a tree and He is informed that they only cover damage from 1 tree, a ficus Benjamina. This didn't make sense if youve ever seen the size of these street trees, which the ad people apparently didn't know.
Heres a picture of a very common sight here- (Santa Monica)
Here is my variegated RubberTree (btw...rubber does not come from them)..it is about 30'x30'....
Carol, that is much more beautiful than what we have around here, no fair!!! :o)
Yeah...one of the many burdons I must bear! LOL
How large are those leaves Carol? That is beautiful!
They are about 10" x 6"...more or less...I think... :)
Well I wish I had that burden to bare! LOL
I would love to have a variegated rubber plant, it is beautiful.
I used to have one and was going to plant it in the yard and thought about those roots. glad i didnt put it out there.
Fran
Lost this one in construction and I've been looking for a replacement since.
If anyone is looking for these trees, I found a lot of them at my local Lowe's. You might check you local one. I got mine last year when they were getting rid of them. I got one pot that had 5 plants (2ft tall) in it for only $5. I was there last week and they still have lots.
And there is the Fieus Altissima Var / Vietnemese rubber tree.
I have most of mine planted in the ground. I did have to split one up into 3 sections. I think I have 4 types now, not including the Banyan tree which looks very similar and is a ficus too.
rj you always have some of the neatest plants.
If I had that one I would put it in the ground! RJ- You have the mosts amazing garden. I think you said it was about 7 years old. How large is it? You seem to have everything! I can't tell from the pictures if it is big or small. I just know I have garden envy!
Thanks! I'm very lucky to have been introduced to a couple of plant folks here who either sell or share!
The lot is originally two lots in todays terms I think. It has 750 sq. ft deck full of plants, garage and driveway (full of plants) a green house (full of plants) and then the garden. it's good sized, but formatted in a jungle motiff, so..it's crammed. I am re-landscaping a section of it which is changing the look of it a bit and opening it up.
I had never seen that rubber plant before until a couple of years ago at this guys garden here in Houston called Jerrys Jungle www.jerrysjungle.com
and my other buddy who does jerrys jungle website also has a fabulous garden making mine look amatuer..oh wait..it is..lol...
www.mikenature.com
I bought that rubber tree at Jerrys Jungle, and was wandering around the gardens that are full of the most excellent and rare tropical plants...and then I discovered the mother tree tucked away in a green house..so I snapped the photo!
Right now the rubber tree is small. It is about 3 feet tall right now.
OMG how old is that rubber plant. It is huge. I love it.
RJ-Your friend's site is beautiful! He is an outstanding photographer! Your yard sounds like such an amazing spot. As always thanks for sharing with us!
Gosh, RJ. Didn't know you had a banyan tree. Some of my photos didn't turn out and of course the ACRE banyan tree was one of them. Do you have an orchid tree?
LouC
Christi, Yes I do as a matter of fact. I was going to ask you if you want one in the Princess package. I have several as a matter of fact. The one I have in mind is about 7 feet tall.
Those Banyans are something else aren't they?
I'm not sure how old Jerrys rubber tree is, but looks like it's been around sometime doesn't it?
Soliciting advice....RJ- You told me once that you look at pictures and then try to copy them in inexpensive ways. How do you get the most bang for your buck? I want a layered, thick look, but I don't know how to do that inexpensively. I can buy some more mature plants, but mostly small ones are in my price range......
Any ideas?
thanks
Teri
Hi Teri,
well for filler plants I look for ones that grow quickly, like castor beans which are tropical looking and fill in nicely. Brugs, elephant ears, bananas, hibiscus. What really helps to, is being connected with local gardeners. Often, they will want to try something new, and want to get rid of things that are large to make room. I've given away about 6 full truck loads of stuff already this year with more waiting in the driveway.
I understand your wanting the growth asap- but I will say there is something to planting small, and watching it grow. The front garden I planted small tiny plants from Kartuz, and in a year it's giant huge..almost have to move it somewhere. Like Iochromas, tequila sunrise hibiscus, ornamental cotton, beaumontia grandiflora. Vines can often give you that layered look, but they have to be carefully placed as they will grow a city block if allowed. Philodendrums, clerodendrums are both great for an exotic but really inexpensive look.
You really have the advantage there in being able to buy small, and have it huge in no time with the zone/weather.
Use the filler stuff in the mean time while nuturing the real cool stuff you want. Get cuttings from DG, and if you can stand it, have an area where you have a stock of your own stuff growing...it also comes in hand later for trading cuttings
I think over the years I've basically grown my own nursery. Like - right now when I want to do some landscaping in front, the neighbors see me wheel out these huge fully grown items. I have a section of the back driveway which is basically a nursery area. It's great for me, because when I want to re-landscape like I'm doing right now, I have full grown plants to put there. I also have smaller ones as well that I will watch grow.
LOL,
Yes...I do remember what it was like starting out though...want want want want!!!
Now I have to purge to make room for my new wants! I have all sorts of new guys in the green house too, that will no doubt be sitting on the driveway at the end of the year because they've gotten so big! I have one of those varigated tapiocas too. It was a cutting, and it is quite striking looking! Should I keep it in a partial shade area?
I would like to try the orchid tree. Jenny just hates it. Has become a thug in her garden...as have the bouganvilla...don't I wish. BTW. I potted the yellow hibiscus today that I purchased at ABC. Jen is planning to send lots of cuttings and seeds after April 1st whent the danger of frost has passed..just in time for your visit. Really looking forward to it. I sure hope I don't kill the cuttings. Put them in peat pots with organic potting soil and then watered with alfalfa tea. They are now in the makeshift warm barn and it supposed to be fair weather the rest of the week. Cross your fingers. Going to Canton, First Monday tomorrow to meet my friend. There are lots of growers that come in the spring. Will look for anything that you and I might like to have.
Aloha, and Mahola my friend.
Princess Kilikina
Or as more popularly known as LouC
BTW. Castor beans grow wild all over Maui. Who'd thunk!
ooh..yellow hibiscus!
Don't worry ..you are an expert tropical grower now...just listen to you...peat pots and alfalfa...so proud of you....
Drop me an email when you get a chance...I've left you alone to recupperate for a while, but that time is running out!..lol
do you want any castor beans..speaking of growing wild! I have a new crop poping up everywhere.