Howdy, Sagebrush, I'd leave the jade in its pot for now.
Once you re-locate the plant outside, make sure to turn it periodically so that its foliage will balance naturally above the trunk.

From what I've read at this site, most jade-growers prune their plants towards fall. Some say that a drastic pruning produces better overall results: increased roots, thickened trunk, and foliage with greater density/balance. Spot-trimming tends to produce new growth at the cuts, which may or may not be what you want.

If there are any droopy or scraggly limbs from low light conditions, you can cut them off at any time.

Josh

Thanks Josh.

There is going to be a big debate, I am sure...

But your point is well taken. I will be sure to 'rotate' the plant this summer.

Sagebrush

Some people are downright "brutal", they cut everything off and leave only the trunk. In many cases, it seems to work because it does establish a huge fat trunk for the leaves and branches to grow from.

I tend to prune it down a bit if its getting top-heavy. If the plant can't support the top, it can't be healthy so I just cut and cut until it looks like its had a big weight lifted off its shoulders. It may look like its in shock but it'll grow new leaves and look better than ever ... then you get to do it all over again! hehe.

I've heard it said that if a plant gets top heavy, the trunk will strengthen to support it, no?

Sagebrush

How tall is yours now, and do you want it to grow like a tree, or a bush? Is it a 36" tall at this time, some grow to 15' others Crassuala ovata species smaller, Do you know which one you have at this time. Most people living east of the Rockies find this plant very difficult to grow, so keep it dry, the humidity will take care of it. It grows on rocky hills in Africa, the goats and sheep love to prune it, it retains water in the leaves and trunk, which is absorbed at night. The fog supplies the water for it all year long, it gets no other care in the wild. These are also used as bonsai subjects, and sold at very high prices. Show us pictures we all love to see the pictures. Norma

Not necessarily SageB, sometimes a top heavy portion will break off the rest of the plant. I wouldn't draw that conclusion at all necessarily.

Pirate Girl's right.
A combination of judicious trimming and support will probably be the best treatment for this growing season. As Norma mentions, consider the plant's final form: do you wish to encourage it upward into a tree form, or keep it thick and low (say under three feet).

I'm really excited about jades this year. Soon I'll be putting them outside in all day sun. They're already responding well.

Josh

It is a Crassula Argentea -- it is about 8 to 12 inches tall. Closer to 8 than to 12.

It is named after my late mother -- she loved Jades.

My message gets rejected because I already have a message with teh same subject line -- so I had to modify slightly.

I will post a pic as soon as I can.

That's not an easy decision to make -- since I like both -- but I want a Tree with a thick, woody stem. With a bonsai shape, but I can live with a regular tree look.

I will put it outside after April 1 - once I can be assured that our nighttime temps remain above freezing consistently.

I am aiming for the same look with my jade except not so bonsai-ish.
Has anyone found a way to put the jade outside in the summer without the red edges developing on the leaves? I would like to put mine out but I dislike the red hue that it gets. I was thinking about full shade to avoid it.
Just thought that I would ask.

Koicool,

Not sure why you dislike the red edges on Jades. I LOVE them...I think it is so pretty on them.

If I'm not mistaken ( I could be wrong) it is a combination of colder weather (not freezing) temps along with direct sun or very bright location that triggers the red tips. Late Dec-March are the only months I have red tinting on my Jades. I start losing them by mid April. Not enough cold nights here.

I live in Florida and last summer I had my Jade tree in full sun 8 hours a day, everyday. I lost all the red tips. The plant was just all green, no red tint at all. I figured since I lost all the cold and cool temps during the late spring and summer( our nighttime lows was in the mid 70's) that is why I lost the red tints on the edges. Gosh knows it was in direct Hot and humid Florida sun all day. That's been my experience, I don't know about the others. If you are still experiencing cool nights were you live, then try putting them in full shade and see if that will do it.

Good Luck and post some pics, love to your Jade...

My Jade was is a 'Y' shape. I chooped off on side and gave to a friend, I chopped off the other side and gave to another friend.

I now have just the trunk left. With leaves on it. Planning to put outside on Wednesday - no freezing nighttime temps according the the weather people...

If you want it leggy and not to flower grow in the shade, and be prepared for the worse. These grow in Africa in hot rocky hillsides. The animals eat them, for the water