Rubber tree

Rubber tree

 

World demands for rubber is big, but hardly met. In our modern times, almost everything has some use for rubber. But no tall places in the world can grow the rubber tree, so it is in our hands to develop and enhance this industry.

 

Climate

 

Rubber needs a warm and humid climate (about 30-35’C) and uniform rainfall throughout the

year. It doesn’t like torrents of rain or long dry spells.

 

Soil

The soil good for rubber is the lowland soil that does not lodge water. It doesn’t grow in

mountainous regions.

 

Planting

There are varieties of the rubber tree that are resistant to pest and diseases, and to wind, and

the kind that yields a good amount of latex.

 

Seeds

It is easier to propagate rubber through grafting or budding than by seeds. Seeds must come from a matured tree, in the months of August to October. If the seeds will be transported to afar place, these should be wrapped well in perforated plastic (with air) and planted immediately. Rubber likes loose, rich soil, possibly decay sawdust on river sand. The nursery place must be near a body of water, about 15 cm elevation of land and shady, so as not to be exposed to intense sun or rain. A thousand seeds can be accommodated in a square meter of seedling plot.

 

Planting

 

1.       In planting, the flat side of the seed should be imbedded in the soil. Plant the seed row by row, and cover with thin coco sawdust. Keep the plot moist but not wet. The seeds will germinate within 5 days to one week.

2.       When the seeds germinate, transfer the seedling to the place where they are intended to be grown. Seeds that germinate after two weeks should be discarded (not used).

3.       Plant immediately because delay in planting causes the roots to curve or grow branches, which produces double shoots. Plant before it reaches 2-1/2 cm high.

4.       The seedling must be normally 30 cm apart from each other. Ensure that the main root is not cut or hurt.

5.       Place the newly germinated seedling in pail of water with starter solution. The flat side of the germinated seed should be down, while the upper part of the seed is under the soil about 5 cm.

6.        Apply NPK fertilizer until they can be transferred permanently in the field.

 

If the plant was grown first in the nursery, the maturity time of the tree is shortened, and yields rubber sap (latex) more readily.

 

In general, for one just starting to plant rubber, the variety that grows fast should be selected, with applied technologies to make it mature in a short time, such as:

 

a. Good soil for germinating

b. Good size of plastic bags wherein to place the new seedlings (perforated)

c. Proper use of fertilizer

d. Branching or removal of these (branches)

e. Propagating a new plant from its crown

f. Proper care.

 

Apply NPK fertilizer in 2-3 parts every hectare. Broadcast the fertilizer 10-cm away from the tree, and mix it with the soil.

 

Always culture the soil around, water, but avoid its lodging.

 

From: Greenfields July 1990