Question
I was "given" a very sad ficus elastica by some folks who had it in a room with no windows, and they never watered it.  It has about 5 stems (very thin) and the leaves were very small and unhealthy looking.  Being the universal "mom" type, I brought it home, repotted it, put it in a west window and water it every two weeks.  Now the new leaves are growing like crazy and they're huge (like they're supposed to be, but the poor little stems can't hold them up.  Is there a way of pruning it so that the stems will thicken a bit and be able to support itself better?  Right now, if she stood upright, she's about 3 or so feet tall.  I'm sorry but I don't know how old the plant is.  Her health is returning, but she's top heavy with the healthy new growth.  Suggestions, please!!!

Answer
Catherine,

You have 2 choices, you can prune it back to where the branches can support the leaves, or you can prune every other leaf off but leave the leaf stem and the plant will then send out new leaves that are smaller and will stay smaller. That would give the trunk and branches a chance to thicken up. You, obviously know how to grow ficus. I would wait to fertilize her for awhile until the trunk and branches thicken. Too much nitrogen will add to the leaf growth. Or you can fertilize with a blooming plant fertilizer which will have less nitrogen and promote root and trunk growth.

Your only other option is to stake her using a yardstick or a bamboo stake and twist ties or even old pantyhose to tie her up. Congratulations on rescuing her! Good luck.

Darlene

Tell your friends that they can't grow any plant in a location that their hand won't make a good shadow during the daylight hours.