Jades are durable enough to prune any time, but now is particularly good because summer is the season where the most robust growth occurs. You can start pruning and shaping any size jade, so long is it has a good root system. You should avoid messing too much with the really small ones that may not have a lot of roots, because more foliage equals more photosynthesis, thus more energy. The methods I use are to clip off any branches that aren't pleasing to me, and to pinch out new growth on branches that I don't want to grow too fast. This will direct energy to other branches, as well as towards thickening the trunk. Trunk thickening is something that comes with age, but as I said, pinching new growth will hasten the process. I prefer to grow my jades to look like mature trees, so I also like to remove the bigger leaves that are growing along the main branches, leaving the leaf clusters towards the branch ends. Fear not, because jades take pruning well, even trunk chops. Just sit & stare at it, and envision what you want it to look like, and prune as necessary. Just remember, more leaves equals more energy, so removing too much can slow down energy production. That's why you leave a lot of "sacrafice" branches when growing bonsai trees. You get the added energy, until you get the results you want, then you remove the sacrafice branch. Branches off the main trucnk also help to add girth to the trunk, so don't get too carried away and lop off all your lower branches. Another tactic I use for adding character is to grow a jade from the get-go, with the intention of a single leader, not allowing it to split into a Y shape. It's hard to take a jade with a short trunk that splits off and shape it back to a taller, single trunked tree without disfiguring it. Take one of your cuttings that has a single leader, and dedicate that one (or more for that matter) to be grown as a single leader tree. You'll love the results as it ages and thickens into a bonsai type tree. Good luck!

Joe

What about Jades that already have 2 or 3 branches coming out from the base(underground)? I do have some single leaders.

I'd love to hear from more people on anything they can add :).

Here are a few more pictures before I'm off to bed. I'll check back here tomorrow and hopefully have some more information to read :). Thanks!

{{gwi:574894}}

{{gwi:574896}}

{{gwi:574898}}

{{gwi:574900}}

Hello, Golden, welcome back!

Well your Jade collection has grown significantly ;-)
Your largest Jade is a nice addition to the family.

You can start pruning at any time. The fastest way to "size up" a Jade is to grow it in a large container.

When I prune, I keep in mind that two branches will usually grow from the cut.
Once the branches grow, you can keep them both, or remove one. This is how I prune
to develop multi-limbed branches.

Josh

Ok thanks greenman28!

From what I see around here (I don't grow them) many folks let their Jade plants get what seems like it'd be 8-12" tall & then start chopping back. Is that sort of it you Jade wackers? AmericanG's plants seem kind of young & small to start on, no? Except for the larger one.

All nice & very healthy looking.

Lovely Coleus too, though if mine, I'd pinch back that taller growth or two to help keep it full & more compact. It's a handsome coloring & I especially like the green leaf edging. One can put the cuttings right back into the mother pot, or pot them bagged up to contain moisture until they root. Good work, good looking collection.

I am also curious if my plants are too young and small like you just stated? Any opinions? greenman28 or others?

Thanks for the tip on the Coleus. My grandma gave me a small leaf pinch a few months ago and it just took off with growth. I love the color on it also & I think I am going to pinch it back like you suggested and fill it out more. Thanks :)

It all depends what you are looking to do with your jades. Many people just let them form whatever shape comes natural, and if that's your plan, then I wouldn't mess with the little ones. Personally, I want to have mine grow in a shape that is unique, and not just another jade. It's all up to you. If anything, do a google image search and see if you find anything you like, and make that your goal. Like I said though, if your goal is a single trunk, you're going to have to make that happen pretty early, and prune those little ones to avoid the tendancy they have to form multiple trunks.

Joe

Alright sounds good thanks again for the post