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Al

Jamie,
I don't think the mix is the problem. It's because the plants will take awhile for the roots to grow and ancor the plant.

I had a pinapple top I was rooting in the gritty mix, and several times in the very early stages, my arm would bump it and knock the poor baby right out of the pot. :) It eventually got a hold.

I haven't had to support any yet, so I'm not much help in that area.

Maybe a dowl rod inserted to the bottom of the pot, and secure the plant to that?

I've heard of some members, securing a jade by placing rocks around the stem. (about golf ball size)

I'm sure others will be along with suggestions.

JoJo

Is there any harm is using some #3 grit on top of the gritty mix to help hold the smaller plants in place? Then just tie up the larger ones as necessary?

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Thanks
Jamie

Do whatever works - put your ingenuity to work.

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Al

Nice Jade Bonsai.

What is that small jade in, in the second photo?

Jamie

Jamie,
the plant you posted and the plants Al posted are Portulacaria afra - "Elephant's [Food] Bush."
They are not Jades (nor in the Crassula family at all), but they are excellent bonsai material.
I'll let Al tell you about the tiny Port. afra...I don't want to spoil the surprise! ;)

Secondly, using a stone mulch on the surface is a good idea.
However, keep these two things in mind: the stone mulch will slow the drying of the mix.
Also, the stones immediately against the trunk of the plant might trap moisture, which can
occasionally lead to rot right at the soil line. To counter this, you can pull the stone
back from the trunk itself, by about a quarter inch or so. And, of course, water appropriately.

Let me dig up another pic for you....be back in a moment.


Josh

Okay, I'm back....

Here's a Perlite, Bark, Quartz mixture that I used to root this Big Jade Cutting.
I used a rock, positioned on the side to which the cutting wanted to lean. There's
no harm in using more than one rock, but make sure to remove the rock periodically
so that the upper soil has a chance to dry (once you begin watering, in particular).

Succulents are tricky because you don't typically water them when you re-pot/pot.
But once you do water the mix, it holds the plant (established or cutting) much better.

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Hi everyone..:-)

Jamie..What I do is drill another hole at the bottom of some of my pots and then use Bonsai wire to tie the roots down, then fill in with the mix..Use a pair of pliers at the bottom to twist the wire tight and stabilize the plant first..

The use of the gritty mix in my case with crush granite will has a far more holding down capability than a mix devoid of it and perlite to replace it. Perlite blows a way in the wind, remember?

The granite, turface and bark mix is much better than a peat based mixed which gives much more support , unless of course you are using a bagged mix which once packed in and compacted around the roots and watered, can weigh like brick until days after drying out....

HI,

Thanks for the photo. Are you rooting right in that mix? Why are you using that mix instead of the regular gritty mix?

I really have to trim the big Jade, it is almost touching the floor now.

Jamie

You're welcome, Jamie!

That image is from last Summer. And, Yes, I rooted that Big Jade Cutting directly in that mix/pot.
I used that mix because last Summer I did not have any Turface. I used Quartz in lieu of Granite.

This is the cutting by itself, before it went into the pot:

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Does it matter much on the jade what time of year you take the cuttings or will it eventually root no matter when you cut them?

My big jade does appear to be in a growth cycle, it is putting on new growth, would when it is actively growing be a good time to take cuttings?

If I get the big jade trimmed up enough, maybe I will feel confident enough that I can remove it from the pot without breaking it so I can change the soil mix to something lighter than the current turface / compost mix. I'm sure I will break things off if I try it now, it was very hard the first time and has grown since then.

Thanks
Jamie

Yes, taking cuttings and rooting cuttings is best during active growth.
In most parts of the world, that means Spring and Autumn.

Now is a great time to be pruning, cutting, and rooting.


Josh

Thank You.

Jamie

As a newbie to gritty mix, I just recently started re-potting some of my plants. For those that seem a little wobbly at first, I have used 2-3 strategically placed bamboo skewers through the plants and into the gritty. It's only temporary but it works and the skewers are cheap--50 for .99.

I am not sure if mentioned...

This is also a good time that allows you to water a bit more frequently, epecially if you are using the gritty mix since my Jades are very actively growing..I do not want to starve them for water at this time, as long as my mix allows me too water...:-)

Again,
thank you Josh for all you help me out with on these plants..I have learned so much since knowing you..

Mike

HI;

I just did some major pruning on the big jade. I dug down about 5" into the soil (turface) and it was still wet. It is actively growing. But there were many leaves with a gray mold on them, so I pinched them off.
I think it must be staying too wet. It was at least around a month ago now since I watered it. As difficult as it is to physically manage, I think I have to change the mix.

Even with the stuff I pruned, it is still going to need a lot of support, more than I think the regular gritty mix will offer with perlite in it.

Can I use a mix Turface and #2 grit? Maybe heavy on the grit? Does the pine bark need to be there?

Thanks
Jamie

Jamie..

I would not leave the pine bark out of your new gritty mix. Not for any reason...

Al has giving this recipe for many reasons, one is to help you avoid the water retentive issues you are having..
The bark helps balance everything out...

If I get some time, I will find a thread that Al dicusses explaining how he came to conlude the gritty mix is best made the way he suggests and how long it took for him to get it right..

As Josh suggested, I would not even wait another day with the mix staying wet that long this time of year..That calls for a 911..

Is there any way you can use sticks to support the plant for now..Strings,rope? Can you drill a hole at the bottom of the pot and then insert Bonsai wiring to hold down the root ball?
If you think it is a bad idea to transplant now, which I personally would do one right now anyway, can you insert wicks through the bottom of the pot to help alliviate all that perched water?

If you are going to do a 911 and transplant, personally I would use the mix made "correctly" and just let the plant do it's thing..You are not familiar with these mixes just yet and how to adjust them for the best of your plants..
I would get familiar with the mix made the way it is suppose to be made since you have access to all the ingredients and take one step at a time as I had to..It will get eaisier for you, trust me....

I would also skip on the watering for a week or two after your transplantt

Just my .02$

Mike

Hi Mike;

I just found a old thread where Al talks about why he uses pine bark, and says it is not necessary. I'll post a new message with the quote

I'm not keen on trying to put another hole in that expensive pot, I've put drain holes in cheap pots okay, only shattered one, but drilling this big pot scares me. I might be able to get some sticks in there to support it. If I can do the grit / turface mix, I know that will support it.

I'll post a new question with the quote from Al and see if he can suggest a ratio for the formula. As you advised, I think it is a very good idea to follow his direction and I would like to get his advice on this before I jump in and make the change.

Thank you for the info and suggestions.

Jamie

When it comes to supporting plants in containers, I've been known to use all manner of items and ideas!

My main plant of choice is the Hippeastrum, a large bulb that frequently grows its flower scapes and long leaves BEFORE it grows a decent root system for support. I use small trellises, bamboo skewers, bent wire hoops, twistie-ties, twine... basically, whatever I have on hand that will give my plants the support they need, so they don't decide to tumble out of the pots!

There's nothing quite like the disappointment of having a bulb leap to its death from its pot on the windowsill! So, I employ whatever manner of plant support I might have on hand to keep the bulb stationary.