The Gomero or also known as the Rubber Tree is a striking plant due to its foliage and beauty, it always has bright green leaves that can be admirably used indoors. Yes, as you read it, it can be planted in a pot and last for many years, which makes it ideal for decorating that special corner. In this article we will show you its characteristics, care, how to plant it and much more. Dare to meet Gomero!
The Gomeran
The Gomero despite becoming a large tree, it is possible to have it at home, its slow but leafy growth allows it to be an ideal element for decoration, thanks to its leaves with green tones and reddish tips that facilitate its integration into any space. It is a robust plant par excellence which gives that majestic touch.
Characteristics of the rubber tree
The Rubber tree or Ficus elastica, popularly known as the rubber tree, is of the epiphytic type, that is, it must grow on another plant or object only as a mechanical parasitosis, this allows it to develop roots strong enough to be able to stand on its own. . Its roots are invasive in nature. As for its leaves, they are of the perennial type, oval, which can measure up to 30 centimeters. They have a bright green color, although they are born red and change shade as they develop, but they always keep the reddish underside, they are mostly green, they are also found with white or other colored parts (variegated). It does not have flowers. Its fruit is a small yellow inedible fig species.
The Gomero is from the Moraceae family, of the Ficus genus, which has a great diversity of species, which is estimated at about 800. Its species is angiosperm, plants with flowers and fruits with seeds, of tropical origin, specifically from Asia. . This plant can have a diameter between 15 and 20 cm and reach a height of up to 40 meters. The crown of the tree is usually irregularly ovoid in shape. As for its flowering, they appear in small and futile bouquets, without attractiveness or aroma. Its trunk is well stocked and irregular.
Types of rubber bands
El Gomero has three main types, which are characterized by the color of the leaf. The Gomero Ficus elastica is the most common, it has dark green leaves, shiny and with a certain hardness. The Ficus elastica variegata, whose peculiarity lies in the lack of chlorophyll in some parts of the leaf, which is why white areas are observed, which generates a sensation of greater luminosity when it is exhibited in closed spaces. And finally the Gomero Ficus elastic burgundy, its leaves are presented in a very dark green tone with a reddish underside, this makes it ideal to combine with other plants when decorating spaces with low light.
Gomero care
Like any plant, the Gomero requires certain care to achieve a good development. This plant can be grown both indoors and outdoors, as long as the conditions and attention are appropriate, such as cleaning its leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust and ensuring that its leaves remain always green or in the color it assumes. Here we present a practical guide for you to achieve a dream tree.
Location
The Gomero can be located both inside and outside in the garden, but certain conditions must be taken into account, it is very sensitive to low temperatures. It requires a lot of light, but not directly. When planting it in the garden, it must be taken into account that its roots are invasive and strong, so it is suggested to plant it at least 10 meters from any construction, sidewalk or pavement. If it is placed in a pot, it must be ensured that it is large so that it can develop normally. It should not be exposed to drafts or continuous friction.
Irrigation of the Gomera
This species of tree requires frequent watering and good drainage. During the summer season it can be watered twice a week, during this period the plant usually grows faster than normal, so it needs more water. Now if it is located in the garden, it can be watered 2 or 3 times a week on hot days. The rest of the year with two weekly waterings is more than enough.
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The accelerated growth of its roots means that the Gomero does not require fertilization, however, it is good that the substrate where the tree is planted is well nourished for a better development of the plant.
Pruning
The Gomero is resistant to pruning. It must be taken into account when the cuts are made not to have contact with latex, a milky white liquid that emanates because it is toxic, to the point that it can cause serious irritation to the skin and even more so if it is ingested, for this reason caution should be exercised when handling during pruning. It is suggested to put ash on the cuts to cauterize and thus prevent too much liquid from coming out.
Transplant
To carry out the Gomero transplant, it is recommended to do it during the spring. To move it from one pot to another of greater volume, you must fill it with a good substrate mixed with 20% perlite, place a good part of it, plant the tree and finish filling and watering. You must keep in mind that the pot must have good drainage. Now, if it is going to be transplanted into the garden, you must open a very deep hole, soak the soil, place the plant, finish filling, for this it is suggested that the substrate is mixed with a little universal fertilizer and it is returned to water.
Reproduction of the Gomera
The Gomero is easily multiplied by apical cutting, that is, taking the youngest part of the stem with at least a couple of leaves, which is recommended during the summer or spring. To achieve successful planting, fill the pot with porous substrate, for example black peat or perlite, moisten the substrate, you can apply rooting hormones. It is recommended that the soil be kept moist during the process without flooding, in this way it will be guaranteed that in a short time it will begin to form its roots. This tree has an inconspicuous unisexual flower which requires pollination by the fig wasp, Blastophaga psenes.
Plagues and diseases
The Gomero is a tree with very strong characteristics, but it is also vulnerable to certain pests and diseases. In the case of pests, the nematode is the main one to attack this species, it is a small animal that resembles a worm, most of them are not risky but the phytoganous nematode is, because it feeds on the roots causing even death of the plant. Because it hides in the roots below the ground, it is difficult to diagnose it in time, but it does generate certain symptoms that can give us an idea of its presence.
Among the symptoms caused by nematodes we have chlorosis in the leaves, that is, yellowing of the leaf tissue, since this pest absorbs the iron that helps the production of chlorophyll. Wilting of the leaves even when it has an adequate irrigation system. Roots with black spots, swollen or knot-like. To help the plant it is necessary to change the soil, place compost and organic matter, you could also introduce natural enemies of these. Preventive treatment is ideal, for this use copper or sulfur with Neem oil.
Uses of the Rubber
The Gomero in principle has a great ornamental utility both indoors and outdoors, thanks to its adaptability, it is ideal for purifying the environment wherever it is. In the top of the tree it has a substance called tannin, which is used to tan leather and as part of certain laboratory medicines. On the other hand, we find latex, which is used for the production of paper and rubber (hence its popular name, rubber tree). Its wood, although it is quite resistant to water, is not very usable except for objects such as crates, moldings or low-quality furniture or to generate fuel or rubber.
Medicinal properties are also attributed to this tree. The element contained in the cup is used to prepare a kind of cream to treat boils, as well as to use it on mosquito bites or other insects. It is spread on the bite or wound for a reasonable time, it is advisable to repeat it several times until it heals completely.
Can you make a bonsai from the Ficus elastica?
With the Gomero or rubber tree it is possible to make a bonsai, but it should be noted that it is a difficult task, since it must begin by reducing the size of the leaves and this is done by pinching the leaf during its growth period, to mutate the plant and in this way suffer certain alterations that give shape to the project.
We invite you to watch this video and learn much more about the Gomero or Rubber Tree.
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