I will assume the above picture is the younger plant. I would cut all of the branches back at least half way. The branches on jades usually grow long and can't support the weight of the leaves and therefor bend down.

I will also assume the link is to the older plant which also needs to be trimmed back as pictured.

Also the soil looks a bit "heavy" it needs more perlite or something to aid in drainage or you will have lots of rot.

To keep the plant "tight", it will require lots of light.

I was worried about cutting the big one since it's so established. From what I've read, I probably need to wait a another month or so to cut, correct?

I've been told about the soil, but as I said before, I only water about once a month (11 days ago) about a cup. I'll check the local nursery for the Perlite though.

With the way my patio faces, the sun never fully touches the plants unfortunately. I do keep them as close to the sunlight as possible though.

I was worried about cutting the big one since it's so established. From what I've read, I probably need to wait a another month or so to cut, correct?

I've been told about the soil, but as I said before, I only water about once a month (11 days ago) about a cup. I'll check the local nursery for the Perlite though.

With the way my patio faces, the sun never fully touches the plants unfortunately. I do keep them as close to the sunlight as possible though.

I was worried about cutting the big one since it's so established. From what I've read, I probably need to wait a another month or so to cut, correct?

I've been told about the soil, but as I said before, I only water about once a month (11 days ago) about a cup. I'll check the local nursery for the Perlite though.

With the way my patio faces, the sun never fully touches the plants unfortunately. I do keep them as close to the sunlight as possible though.

Crassula ovata (Jade) likes to be given water in the Winter, and can take low temps. if not wet. so you need to use some judgement. Hot summer watering is a no-no Yours needs to be in a larger pot, with fast draining soil. give some fertilizer when growing, don't over water trim the first of October, and they just may flower for Christmas mine do. Trimmiing causes thick trunks and stems. Mine only get morning sun and the leaves are green trimmed in red. My variegated ones show good color

Yoda, a word of caution and not to upset anyone. For every person responding to this thread, you may get that many different opinions. Keep in mind we all live in different parts of the world and have unique growing conditions and styles. Norma lives in a warmer climate than myself. She probably has moderate to warm days and cool nights during our northern hemisphere winters and she takes advantage of this and has "winter" growth. Living in Michigan, our days are short and cold. The growth I get at this time is etiolated, so I purposely keep my jades dry to decrease any growth. I begin watering in mid-April and decrease in mid-September. As the fall temps begin to decrease coupled with the water restriction, my plants take on a change of color and will set buds that will open mid- November ~ December.

As for pot size, I think this is also variable and would like to see what others have to say. The picture attached is one of my several plants. It is in a 6"/8" pot and has been for several years and, as you can see, does just fine. That's not to say it might do better in a larger pot.

My point is you have to apply your local conditions and how you care for your plant to be successful.

Thank you all for the input. I've actually been told it needs to be in a smaller pot (the young one) lol. I live in north Floria and it never really gets too cold, temperature wise. But 40 degrees here is bones hurting cold compared to a 40 degrees in Missouri, which I think is comfortable in short sleeves.

I bought some Perlite and mixed a small amount into soil but will go for a 1:4 mix once I repot come closer to spring.

I think I may do too much reading about these plants. Another thing I was concerned about was the large leaves on the young plant, which I've read comes from lack of sun. But I'm unable to put it in direct or more sunlight.

I'd live to know how people get the red edges or the multicolored green 'stripes' on theirs.

Hello, Yoda :-)

Are your Jades getting rainwater?
If not, a cup of water per month is really not enough water.

You can use any size container you'd like *as long as* the potting mix has very fast drainage. That's the key - drainage and aeration so that the roots don't rot.

If you opt for the Perlite, go heavy - 3:1 or 4:1, Perlite : Potting soil.

Josh

No rain water, I've moved them away from potential rain as I've heard too much water is bad. I don't remember the name of the soil, but it was cacti soil. Is that not good enough for drainage? Also, I tend to put new soil in about once a year. Figure I'll get rid of any pests, air it out, and add some new nutrients. Is this okay? And about the drainage, other than adding more Perlite, is there another trick to it?

I would move toward something porous and gritty.
Cacti Soil is typically peat-based, and that is inappropriate for most cacti and succulents, despite what the bag or the nursery folks recommend. We know better :-)

Perlite reduces water-holding capacity, and when perlite is the majority of the mix, the drainage improves as well. But the real trick to drainage and aeration is particle size, durability, and porosity (of the ingredients).

Josh

Bikerdoc...that is one beautiful Jade!! SO full and healthy. Love the red tips. You've done a great job growing it.

Hi Josh!!

Hey, Nancy :-)

Yoda,

If you want the best looking plant, a sunny window is a must. I get good growth in winter, in New Hampshire, in a south facing window with direct sun. And I cut mine back in winter with good results.

Christopher