Question
QUESTION: Hello Will,
I am about to repot a Ficus Elastica, which is several years old and about 170 cm tall. The current pot has diameter 23 cm, and seems to be far to small with roots growing out of it.
Can I use pot with diameter 38 cm?
Have two reasons for using this somewhat bigger pot:  
1. We often leave the flat for 2-3 weeks, and I suppose in that bigger pot the soil will remain wet.
2. I do not want the plant to grow much more.
Thank you very much
Helena

ANSWER: Hi Helena,

If you move your rubber plant into a larger pot, it should be into one that is no more than 28 cm. in diameter.

You are correct that a larger pot will retain moisture for a longer period of time and that meets your travel needs. However, keeping soil moist for as long as 2-3 weeks at a time substantially increases the risk of root rot. That is why it is recommended that you up-pot only one size at a time.

Light, not pot size, is the key to plant growth.

How long does your Ficus go now between waterings? I may have another solution, depending on its current water needs.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions. If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]






---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Will,
First of all, please allow me to thank you very much for your quick response. I really did not expect receiving a perfect answer within a few hours, many thanks for it!
Further, pls excuse my less-than-perfect English, as I am a Czech citizen living in Germany...

Follow-up:
Watering: Well, a few days ago I brought that Ficus home from the office where we rather neglected him and watered very irregularly, sometimes letting him several weeks without water even in hot weather. To our surprise he survived that our nasty behavour perfectly.
In that biiig pot I intended to water once in several weeks as well, so the soil would surely dry sufficiently before the next watering... Would this not enable the 38 cm pot after all?
Being a Neglected Office Plant, that Ficus grew up forming a big arch (as it was moved to different places and adjusted to the new light conditions) and therefore it is highly unstable and constantly overthrowing the pot and falling down - this being an additional reason why I intended to use that somewhat oversized heavy new pot which would stabilize the plant.
BTW, would it make sense to try to "unbend" that ficus somehow, or is it already too old for it?

Greeting from sunny Munich, and once more many thanks!
Helena

Answer
Hi Helena,

No need to apologize for less-than-perfect English, as mine is less than perfect, as well, and I am a native speaker!

Your plant can survive several weeks without water because it can withstand soil that gets very dry. However, soil that stays moist for several weeks will cause the roots to rot and that will cause the plant to die. Most plants must have soil that is allowed to dry out every week or so. It is the regular drying out that allows air (oxygen) back into the soil. Oxygen is something that roots need as much as water. Using a pot that is too large deprives roots of needed oxygen for too long and is the most common reason for potted plant failure.

There are several ways to manage the arching plant that is causing the pot and plant to tip over. First, you can re-position the rootball inside the pot so that the main stem is more vertical, rather than leaning and tipping in one direction. Second, you can prune back the top growth that is causing the tipping. (I would need to see a photo of the plant to be able to advise you more specifically on the pruning. Third, you can place the existing pot and plant inside the larger, heavier pot and fill in the space between the pots with gravel or small stones. This will provide the bottom weight needed without disturbing the roots and adding excess soil.

Let me know if any of this is unclear and don't forget to give me a good rating!

~Will