Dear Whip,

I'd suspect that even in winter, your Crassula ovata is growing (at a slower rate than in summer, however). Part of the growth process is the shedding of older leaves and the growth of new ones. Your plant is exhibiting normal behavior. If it's being treated the same way now as it is in summer, albeit with less water, it should be find.

There is a veritable surfeit of information on Crassula ovata on the Cactus and Succulent Forum, enough to choke a whole herd of pangolins. Should you be interested, all you have to do is use the search function on the main page there and employ the key word 'jade'.

I've heard that you can start new plants from the leaves. Can I do this if the leaf is soft after the plant drops it?

No - the leaf you described has completed its mission and is all but dead. You shold use a completely healthy leaf for propagation purposes.

Hmmm, my jade plants don't develop mushy leaves and then drop them. I suggest that this is not normal and perhaps you have cut back on watering too much, or aren't watering thoroughly when you do water.

What IS normal for a jade is for its lower (oldest) leaves to wilt (become mushy or spongy) and then drop off if the plant is too dry! Water it very thoroughly, drench it, on watering day. No little sips. Then, you must allow the plant to dry in between those showers. Under watering is a common issue for those who fear over-watering their succulents. It's very important that your jade be able to fill every single cell full of water before the soil is allowed to dry out again.

SO! In the winter months, I water my jade less frequently (cold house and less sunlight), but they still get a good drenching when watering day comes 'round. Make sense?

If you want to propagate a leaf, pluck a nice healthy leaf. Set in a small 3" pot w/cactus, or well-draining soil. Keep in bright light but out of direct sun. Water the soil well, and let it dry until it's barely dry. Actually when I did this w/my jade tree I kept the plant in a south window. You can use plastic but be really careful on the watering and don't let plant sit in water, with or without plastic. I think young jades grow faster than they do when larger, or in my case they do.
Baby leaves will form, and the mom leaf will eventually die. This is normal. Toni

Thank you all for the advice. I have cut back on the volume as well as the frequency of the watering, that maybe the problem. It just got a big drink! Toni, at this point I just want the one plant to grow. When I figure that out, I may propagate.
Thanks again!

I have or you

Hi,

Sorry about that. My voice-activated program just misfired. lol. I have nothing to add to the good advice everyone has given you.

Larry

Whip, because jades are slow-growing, all you'd have to do is snip one leaf off your plant, and put in a little 4" plastic pot. Other than watering, and some feeding in spring, it takes care of itself. You can even set a leaf on soil w/o making a whole and the leaf will root. I've seen this happen many times, on plants I didn't want jades..LOl
You gave it a big drink, now allow soil to dry before it's thirsy again and needs another, especially in winter..Toni

Question : I live in the Pocono's of Pa. My wife grew a Jade for a few of years , to a height of about 22 inches. She originally repotted it into a 10 in. pot and wanted to make it look good so she wrapped a nice material around the pot and down the inside.
I didn't know this, until the leaves started to fall off and figured it was root bound. When I discovered the cloth going down inside of the pot, I changed my figuring
and thought the roots might have grown thru the cloth ,
(which they did). So I lifted everything out and carefully
took apart the material and salvaged many of the roots.
I replanted it back into a larger ceramic pot (12 inch)
and filled around the outside with more soil. Then watered it good to pack the soil around the roots. This was about a year ago. I watered it once a week until the present. It grew very well all through the summer, sprouting new leaves and branches everywhere . It is now about 30 inches tall and the trunk is 2 inches. Now it is dropping leaves again. They get yellow first. This started slow about the middle of Dec. A few days ago leaves were falling about 10 to 12 a day. I think it may be slowing down a bit. I stopped watering it about 2 weeks ago.
The plant sits in front of a bay window . It gets sun from
about 10am till 2 pm .
Do Jades shed their leaves ? or could this be from overwatering ?

If you scroll up you'll see the answer to your last two questions. Yes, Jades shed their older leaves. But if you're watering once a week, that's WAY too much, especially if you live in the East. I water once a month in winter, and then switch to about once every two weeks in the spring and summer (when the days start to get longer). If you have been watering once a week until 2 weeks ago, I think your problem is definitely overwatering. Also, I don't think it's getting enough sun, but you might not be able to help that. If you have a window that gets more sunlight, I'd put the plant there.
Good luck,
Gabi

Hi Gabro14: Thanks for your comeback info. The plant is in a Bay Window, it is actually a picture window with a
double hung on each side (about 10 feet of glass).
It gets the early morning sun up till about 3 pm.
New leaves as well as old leaves are falling but as I said , I think it is slowing down a bit. I didn't see any fall all afternoon but there are still some yellowing leaves on the tree. I'll see what happens tommorrow.Do you think it will pull out of this nosedive ?
Is there a way to tell if there is any "root rot" from overwatering.
Thanks Again , LOU
PS: I will scroll up to take a look at the other Questions.

Lou,
You're quite welcome. I think the only way to check for root rot is to actually dig up the plant and look at the roots. I don't know if others would agree, but I would maybe hold off on checking for now, and hold back on watering COMPLETELY until you squeeze the leaves and they have a little give (maybe another month of no water). Only water it when it when the soil is COMPLETELY dry, right down to the bottom of the pot (don't just go by how the top of the soil feels). A water level meter helps a lot...you can buy one in a garden center for under 10 bucks. It has been so helpful to me. It will tell you how moist your plant is. It's tough to tell if a plant is dry just by sticking your finger in it, especially since your plant is so big and your finger won't go down far enough. If you have a bunch of plants, it's well worth the money to get one. The leaf falling has probably slowed down a bit because you've cut down on watering. I hope your plant pulls out of this "nosedive". Only time will tell, but I'll keep my fingers crossed for you :-)
Gabi

Hi Gabi: I'm going to order one of the water level meters
that you mentioned, soon as i find out how ? A few months back I picked up on, putting
a leaf on top of the soil in a small pot , to grow a new plant.I did 2 of them in different pots and soils. One is about 3 1/2 in tall and the other is smaller. They are growing nice.I noticed on the smaller one, there are very tiny white specks. could this be some kind of insect or something else.
On the large Jade with the falling leaf problems;
I forgot to mention,there are small shiny bumps on some of the leaves, about the size of a pinhead.
No leaves fell yesterday, all afternoon and night.
There are still a few yellowing leaves on the plant this morning. Will keep you posted. How do you send pictures.?
Do I put in my email address? I have a "Cute FTP Site" that I use for Ebay, to put pictures in the description
of an item in my auction.
Thanks again , Lou

Hi Gabi,

You're doing nicely helping the new Jade people along. Thanks for picking up the torch so well.

In the absence of a water meter, you can use a pencil. Stick it gently ALL the way down in the mix, if there's some moisture, some dirt may stay on the pencil as you remove it. If it's bone dry, it will come out absolutely clean.

For any of you bake, it's similar as testing a cake for doneness by using a toothpick or knife blade. When done it comes out clean, otherwise not.

On the last post, the tiny white flecks on a Jade leaf can be normal (some folks think it's excess calcium), as long as they're smooth to the touch & not at all fuzzy or cottony (which would be mealy bugs).

Don't know abt the small shiny bumps.

I suggest you stop watering these plants COMPLETELY for a month & the yellowing should stop; probably the leaf drop too (unless they're dry, crunchy, dead leaves, which normally drop off when they die).

Why thank you PG *Gabi blushes*
As much as I love getting advice, I love to help as well :-)

Hawk,
You can get a water level meter at any local garden center. And since you mentioned Ebay, you can get one on there too. But PG is right...if you want to save money, her way sounds pretty simple and foolproof. I just happen to like my little gadgets, and it just makes watering a lot easier on me (not to mention how much fun it is to stick the meter in and have it tell you how dry/wet your plant is...it's like a meat thermometer!). It also tells you how much light your plant is getting and the soil ph level (but I only use the moisture switch). You don't need batteries either! I've attached a link to one for sale on ebay...it's the same one I have.

Gabi

Here is a link that might be useful: water meter

Hi Gabi and Pirate Girl: I'll take the advice from both of you,Since I'm the Builder,the Baker and the Candlestick Maker. I'm going to get a meter like your's; Gabi, because I like gadgets too. But in the meantime; Pirate Girl, I will use a very small sharpened dowel to test, because I don't have a pencil that long.
I clicked on the Ebay link for the meter,and "Watch this Item" box.
In the meantime I'll try Lowes, to see if they have the same one.I'll have to learn how to do your "link" thing.
That's cool. Can I send a picture of the Jade here for advice. ?
Now I have to thank 2 people . Thanks !!!!!
It's nice to talk to real people and not an automated
phone thing, which I've been doing all week.

Hi Gabi and PG : By Jove I've done it. I sharpened a 3/16 dowel in a pencil sharpener & pushed it to the bottom of the pot for about 5 min. It wasn't damp when I pulled it out and hardly any dirt at all. Well it's about 36 hour's and no leaves have fallen. There are still the same (about6) yellowing leaves on the plant. It looks like it may have pulled out of the nose dive. It is about 2 weeks since it was watered. I have it marked on the calender.
I'll wait a couple more weeks to water it again.
Now I'll have to work on the branches. They are growing nicely but some are growing down, like a Bonsai. I like the
look but don't know if it is good for the plant.That's why I wanted to send a picture
See that ,I didn't get the Leaf thing settled and I'm on to another problem. I hope someone else will benifit from all of this. Thanks again Gabi and PG

Glad you're getting a water meter...you'll be so happy with it, guaranteed!
As for posting pics, just join photobucket.com (it's free), and put your pic/s on there. Then copy the "tag" line (second line below the pic) and paste it on your post. If that wasn't a good explanation, just do a search for "posting pics". I'm sure you'll find a lot of info.
Gabi (and let me know how you like the water meter)

Hi Gabi: I just looked into ebay so that I might bid on the meter. It was up to $8.50 + $6.95 shipping. It will probably go to $15 + Shp. I can pick up a moisture meter at Home Depot for about $9. And I still have the pointed dowel ( PG )I picked the 6 yellowing leaves, no more dropped tonight . That's 3 nights .
I'm going to try to post a picture of the Jade. Hope it works out. It is 30 in from the soil to the top. The trunk
is about 2 1/2 ".
It worked!!!!! In the preview
{{gwi:70618}}

I'm glad you're plant is getting better :)
About the branches that are growing down....I recently posted a thread about that (and you'll see many more "droopy jade" threads if you do a search). I like that look too (others had "different" opinions, but I like what I like, we all have different styles...one person actually told me he'd throw it in his compost! Kind of rude, but I blew it off). But I was told the droopy branches were bad for the plant. It means the jade isn't getting enough light. If the branches are droopy, they can break off. Take a look at my thread...I'm sure it will help. I have the before and after pics of my pruning job (believe me, it wasn't easy!).
Gabi

Here is a link that might be useful: Jade thread

Hi Gabi: I saw your thread and think you should have compromised. You did a good recovery job on your Jade.Maybe
you should have pruned a little at a time to shape it like you want.What!"Throw it in the Compost Pile ?????" I think if you can't give a constructive," Positive " answer don't give a smug one,that was an insult. But that's just my opinion.Your Jade will be back in full bloom, in a month or so.I'm not going to cut mine back yet. I like the way the branches are growing down and they are are strong. They get plenty of sunlight in the picture window. If a branch breaks off, then I feel , that's natures way of pruning and I'll put in a pot to grow. I'll just cut back crossing or touching branches to thin them out. I've done a lot of Gardening and Shaping trees. Cutting branches off one side to strenthen another part of a tree. This is a first with a Jade. My wife had hanging Jades with branches
drooping over the sides for a couple of years. They look great and none of the branches have broken off. What do you think?
I have broken leaves off and put them on top of the soil in a 4" pot,with the front in a little under, put 2 tablespoons of water on the soil and left them.They are growing nicely. It looks like you can propagate easily.
You people have been a lot of help with my watering an other problems. I appreciate all the advice.
Lou
PS: I used my "Cute FTP Site" to send the photo. I put the

Hi Lou,

Looks like we were both posting a message at the same time last night, so I didn't see your pic before I posted. Nice plant indeed! I see what you mean about strong downward growth. I wouldn't prune that either.

Yes, I really think that was a smug, rude comment that was left by that member. And I was looking through some past threads one day, and saw that someone had said his jade was ugly (or something like that), and he got really offended. Then why do that to someone else?? He makes jades into bonsai (which I myself don't find appealing, but thank goodness we all have different tastes!). And I wasn't asking his opinion of my plant anyway, I was asking if that type of growth was detrimental to the tree. Ugh...I wish I said something, but I wanted to "keep the peace", so I kept my mouth shut. Maybe he'll read this and think twice the next time he insults someone's plant.

Ok...I'm done venting. Now, you said I should have compromised...I completely see where you're coming from...I cut a lot off! But I only cut off the weak hanging branches, nothing more. I miss my dangling branches...I really did like them. I think it did need a little pruning because it was getting top heavy. But if they grow back again like that, I'm just gonna let them be. Who cares if people think I'm a "plant abuser" (another comment from that member)...If I like my jades to hang, and it's not harmful to the plant, then I'll let them hang! And yes, these plants are SO easy to propagate.

All in all, I love your plant, and I think the downward growth gives it character. I'm still not an avid believer in pruning, but maybe I'll change my mind when I see how the new growth looks. I kinda miss my dangly tree :(

Hawk, your jade is so pretty. I'm glad you and Gabi were able to find a good fix for it. BTW, popsicle sticks from craft stores (sometimes dollar stores) are good moisture measures too. I'll slide one in along the side of the pot and check back in about 20 or 30 minutes. I have to admit, though, the water meter sounds like fun! :-)

Gabi, I saw that post to which you referred. I read through a lot of older posts about jades too. I have found that questions about jades are answered in a much kinder tone on this forum. I have no idea why that is. Perhaps the words come across harsher than intended on the other forum. Maybe the other forum has more experts who have forgotten what it's like to be a newbie or semi-newbie nervous about a favorite plant. I don't mean that comment as a jab. Just that some people (not all) who are super knowlegeable or have studied about certain topics can sometimes be a bit impatient or very blunt. Who knows?

At any rate, I'm finding out that what may work for one person's jade in one part of the country, may not work for someone in another part. Someone on the other forum referred to them as "opportunistic growers". They grow when the conditions suit them. For some of us that means fall, winter and spring. For others it means spring, summer and fall.

Regardless, though, this a hobby for most of us, I'm sure. I don't know why questions about plants (esp jades) cause so much controversy.

Gabi, I'm glad you didn't throw your plant away.

Amanda,

That popsicle stick idea is great too. I'm just one of those gadget people and trust me, it's fun! Now, about the "other" forum...yes, it does seem a bit harsher there, but it's because of certain people. I've conjured up a very small list in my head of people who I'd rather not deal with. I won't really get into it, because you said it so well, so there's nothing really to add. It's just a shame that people "get off" on using their knowledge to belittle people. But I do find it mostly in the C+S forum and the Bonsai forum as well. I think people have gotten "nicer" since FredGrow's post. Glad people are speaking up :-)
And thanks for the encouraging words about my jade...I'll post a pic as soon as there is noticeable growth.

Hi Amanda : I didn't know Gabi and I, would be in the Limelight.
You know, I guess you have to shrug off some remarks .
Maybe I shouldn't have said anything. I noticed thru the years in my field,(building) that when remarks were made to belittle, it was done so that it will make themselves look better.That doesn't work. Eventually everyone will know you, by your accomplishments.
And like they say," Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder."
Another thing , If you are an expert, that don't give any
special rights. It does give you the right to teach others,
what you have learned, since the time you have started
" from nothing "
I am A Wildfowl Artist Carver . Have enrtered the World Competition 2 times. I have learned more tips on Carving,
from Guys who have won 6 & 7 World Competitions. Always there to help with corrective critisism. Not one of them told me to throw my piece in the trash can.
Thanks Amanda, for the popsicle stick advice but my pot is about 12 inches deep and I have that thin dowel, to reach the bottom.
Gabi : I was just looking back at all the Posts. Sure is a lot of them. Think anyone is listening !
Good Night: Gabi, PG, Amanda & anyone else who is watching.

Lou,
I really like your World Competition analogy. And I think a congrats is in order! That's great. I don't know if this is what you do, but we have some wood (not sure what type of wood) carvings of wildlife in some of the offices in the hospital I work at. I think one is a raccoon, another a bear...the patients love them! I guess when you say "wildfowl" you're talking about just birds, huh?
Anyway, don't worry about whether you should've said anything...this is an open forum and I was the one who brought it up anyway.

And do I think anyone's listening? Of course! Tons of people are reading these posts, and some are nodding in agreement, some are rolling their eyes, and some are sitting in silence because they know it's "them" :-)

Ok, well like I said...I will post a pic of my jade when/if it grows back! And I hope to see how your jade does Lou, even though it looks great to me now.
Gabi

Hi Gabi : I picked up a Moisture Meter at Home Depot
for $4.95. It works great and I still have the wooden dowel
for a backup. They both read the same but the dowel doesn't have a dial.
Later- - - LOU said that.

5 bucks? Nice deal. Does it just measure water or does it measure PH and light as well? Just wondering if they sell ones that just measure water. Have fun with it :-)
Gabi

I was going to mention that very thing. I have both kinds and I much prefer the single-probe water meter. When I only had the water/light/ph meter I found it harder to position it where both probes wouldn't damage roots, or fit it into very leafy plants. Plus, the light meter never registered enough light indoors to grow anything so I largely ignored that setting.

I only use it for larger plants where its sometimes hard to tell if the middle is thoroughtly watered, even though water has drained out the bottom.

Glad your plants are doing well now. Sandy

Hi Gabi and all the ships at sea:
The meter I bought just measures Moisture . They had Ph meters . I think they were about $12 to $15. When I'm ready I'll get one of them, also. I don,t think I need a light meter, because it's getting as much sunlight as I can give it, right now(about 5 hours)
I just thought of a tip for you probers. After you test for moisture put some kind of a tube (about 3 inches long)
back into the hole, so that you can go back into the same place again. That way you won't be damaging any more roots.
When you water, the bottom will fill in again under the tube. Maybe a plastic straw; that the probe can slide into, would be good. Let me know if this sounds good or if it is already being used.
Over and Out - Lou said that!!!!!

Sandy,
That's a great point about one probe doing less potential damage to the roots. Even though there's chance of bothering the roots with even one probe, I sometimes put the meter in and get a chill when I feel like I might've just ripped some roots. I should probably be more gentle with it. I try to stick to just the sides, but I want to check near the rootball too. I didn't know they had ones with single probes. I don't even use the PH or light switches, so maybe next time I'm in HD I'll pick up the "moisture only" meter. I need a second one for the office anyway.

Lou,
That actually seems light a great idea. I don't know how much I'd like a straw sticking out of my plant, but I guess it could get cut down. Maybe even a toothpick or something just to mark the spot. But great concept! I think I'll try and stick to the sides of the pot so that I don't disturb the roots (which really wouldn't matter with my potbound plants).

Enjoy your gadgets!
Gabi

Gabi : The straw or what ever you use, doesn't have to stick up out of the soil. It can be flush with the soil.You can hide it with one of your stones. It would be a marker or guide to put the probe back in the same place. If you have a shallow pot, use a shorter tube.I'm looking at the top of a thinner ball point pen right now, that I will use. Just have to cut off the closed end.Maybe I'll heat the part that you hook on your pocket, and bend it at a right angle. That will sit right on top of the soil.
You can hold it down while pulling the probe out.
That's it I quit. LOU

I think it's time to patent that idea Lou :-)

Gabi: You can Patent it, just send me some Royalties.
I typed another message but I probably didn't "submit" it.
The Ball Point pen top worked great. The end was not solid, so I tapped it out with a large nail and scraped the burrs with a sharp knife. Then I heated the tang (the part that hooks on the pocket); with a match, close to the base.
Then pushed it down on a counter top , so as to bend the tang at a right angle, while it was hot. Then I slipped it on to the wand of the meter and pushed it into the plant soil. I held the tang down on the soil and pulled the meter out.
Now I have a guide for testing with the meter. It hardly shows, because I used a black pen cap.
LOU said this ! Have a nice whatever.

Well you're just quite the handyman Lou.
So this might be a really stupid question, but does the soil remail inside the pen thingy after you use the meter? Or does the meter push the soil down? I'm just wondering if it remains an empty "hole" after used once. Do you know what I'm saying or am I making no sense? Post a pic if you can...maybe then I'll "get it" :-)
Gabi

Hi Gabi: Being the meter wand has a sharp point, I think it pushes the soil to the side as it goes down. When you pull it out, the soil; would go back into the lower part of the hole but there is no soil in the thingy. When it is watered again, the lower part of the hole, would be filled for sure. If not, wouldn't it be like a hole that a worm left? (aeration)The wand isn't that large in dia.anyway .
Make any sense ?
I think everyone left the forum.
Later

I think it makes sense..but I'm too lazy to do that with all my plants. It's a great notion, but I'll stick with the easy way, and hope to avoid the roots.
Yeah, I think we scared everyone away with our high tech pen thingy talk :-)
Have a good one.