Rubber is one of the most useful and popular materials in the world. It has a wide range of applications, from tires to erasers. It is also used in many industrial and commercial products, such as gloves, sealants, and adhesives. The rubber tree is native to South America and was first brought to Europe in the early 1800s. The tree grows up to 30 meters tall and has a wide, spreading canopy. The trunk is covered with a thick layer of bark that can be up to 15 centimeters thick. The tree produces a milky white latex sap that is the source of rubber. The sap is collected from the tree and processed to create rubber products.
Related plant:
Variegated Rubber Plant
Related plant:
Rubber Tree
About soil condition, it is loamy. The texture is sandy and it is very rich in organic matter. It is deep, black and crumbly. It is easy to work with and it drains well. It is a good choice for growing most plants.
Similar to other plants, rubber trees need sunlight to grow. They are native to the tropical regions of South America and Africa, so they need a lot of sun to thrive. In the wild, they can grow up to 100 feet tall, but they are usually much smaller when grown in gardens or yards. Rubber trees can tolerate partial shade, but they will not produce as much latex if they don't get enough sun.
The temperature of rubber is an important factor in determining its physical properties and performance. The glass transition temperature (Tg) is the temperature at which a polymer changes from a brittle, glassy state to a rubbery state. At temperatures below Tg, a polymer is rigid and will shatter if dropped. Above Tg, the polymer is flexible and can be stretched or deformed. The Tg of natural rubber is about -50°C. This means that it will become hard and brittle at low temperatures and will soften and become sticky at high temperatures. The Tg of synthetic rubbers is generally higher than that of natural rubber, which gives them a wider temperature range of use.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is between 65-75%. If the air around the plant is too dry, the leaves will start to droop and the edges will turn brown. If the air is too humid, the leaves will start to yellow.
Mentioning fertilizer, this kind of plant food is essential to provide the required nutrients for the growth of rubber trees. For instance, potassium is one of the minerals that helps to regulate the water content in plants, and it is also involved in the development of strong root systems. In addition, nitrogen is another fertilizer element that is necessary for the growth of leaves and the production of chlorophyll.
Pruning rubber trees is important to encourage growth and keep the tree healthy. Rubber trees can be pruned using a variety of methods, including shearing, heading, and thinning. Shearing is the most common method of pruning rubber trees and involves cutting the tree back to a uniform height. Heading cuts are made at an angle above a lateral branch, while thinning cuts remove entire branches.
Propagation is the process of creating new plants from a variety of sources, including seeds, cuttings, and division. Rubber plants can be propagated from seed, but it is more common to propagate from cuttings. Cuttings can be taken from the tips of branches, and they will readily root in moist soil. Once rooted, the new plants can be transplanted to their own pots. Division is another method of propagation, and it can be done by carefully digging up the rubber plant and dividing the rootball into multiple pieces, each with its own set of roots.
Usually, the plant growth rate is fast, with some species growing up to 3 feet in a single season. The rate of growth is determined by growing conditions and species. Allowing for proper drainage and providing adequate nutrient levels will result in the fastest growth.
Common problems for this kind of plant plants are caterpillars, brown leaves, and yellow leaves. Caterpillars are the most common problem because they eat the leaves of the plant. Brown leaves are usually a sign of too much sun or too little water. Yellow leaves can be a sign of too much water or too little light.
Source:
FPS466/FP466: Peperomia obtusifolia Peperomia, Baby Rubber Plant
RUBBER PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY - ??????
Rubber Polymers - Elmhurst University
