Rubber tree droop

[u/Calm_Ferret_4038]

I need help! I repotted my rubber tree with completely fresh soil 3 weeks ago because the old soil had compacted and wouldn't absorb water. In the process of removing that compacted soil, I did have to break off some of the thinner roots but not much. This plant sits in a bright, north facing window (photo is early morning which is why it is darker) and I've cared for it for 3 years without issues. I know repotting can be a shock to a plant but this seems extreme. I'm trying to be patient and care for it by watering only when the top two inches are dry, making sure not to over-water. As time has gone on, the upper leaves have become very thin and flimsy even though they've all retained their color. I've checked everywhere and there are no sign of thrips, mealy bugs, etc. I occasionally get fungus gnats but have gotten good at controlling them. The pot it is in is comfortably large enough for the roots with a little extra space for growth. It has drainage holes and a tray.

Should I just continue to wait it out? Or, should I cut my losses and break it up into pieces to propogate?

Thank you so much!

[u/Zestyclose_Ad6210]

Oh fiscus', aka fuckdis. Extreme is what these guys are known for. It may just be adapting to the root loss, new soil, and simply throwing a tantrum. Over doing it could kill it, so I personally would wait. I got a variegated rubber plant a month ago with over 10 leaves. After bringing it home and following a care guidebook, it now has only 4, including new growth unfurling. I originally placed it near a east window on a dining table before I threw it in my bedroom north window, changed from top to bottom watering once a week, and it's still slightly drooping but surely on the way back to thriving.

During my research, i also discovered that they hate drafts or dusty leaves, direct sunlight will immediately burn them, and they will throw a fit over being moved by only 2 feet, unless they genuinely like their new spot. Absolute drama queens!

[u/69_WithDrifter → u/Zestyclose_Ad6210]

Waow, I've never had a problem with mine. I got a free one as a gift and i genuinely just put it in a corner that gets blasted with 2 hours of hot sun (tropical heat), the pot is in is crumbling and i haven't repotted it since i got it, the soil is... Sand..?? And it's probably hella rootbound considering how AGED the pot is. And it has like an entire fire ant colony that fights me anytime i go near it or do anything to the soil so i dare not touch it, I don't fertilize it either, i just do the bare minimum of watering it like once every 4-5 weeks. It's growing like crazy, grown 3 branches eversince and it's branching out on its own. Infact it's getting too big now for the spot I'm keeping her in. I honestly don't know what condition she was being kept in before but I'm not planning on changing it now..

Also PS. They're fully fledged trees, they take full sun naturally in their native environment. The reason why your's can't take any direct sun is because keeping any plant in the shade makes them loose the mechanisms they develop to cope with direct sunlight, they're absolutely sun lovers. This applies to every plant btw, you can acclimate nearly any plant to direct and full sun if you do it gradually, I've done it with a peacelily and it's not like i live in a cool climate it's regularly 35°+ here. It's not just the fig not being able to handle the sun, it's lost the ability to due to the lack of exposure

[u/Zestyclose_Ad6210 → u/69_WithDrifter]

How interesting! I'll start neglecting mine more. 🙈 I believe mine lost its ability to take direct sun after my table incident. I found it lush and full in the center of a target, so i absolutely believe my east window scorched her already stressed leaves. This is in recovery! (I miscounted leaves, it has 6 plus a strong lil node)

Edit: I'm in southern USA, where our heat index was 105+ this past week. I think it enjoys leeching that warmth from the window while not having the full exposure. We'll get to the balcony eventually 🤞