There's not much you can do but be patient. Normally it doesn't take 6 months to establish solid roots though. You have an interesting choice of potting mix, which doesn't sound like it would hold very much moisture, but I guess as long as you water enough, it'll be fine. The fact that your plants are putting on leaves though, tells me that the roots are indeed growing. You have to remember too that they need energy to produce roots, and to produce energy, they need leaves. The first picture shows very minimal leaves, which equals very minimal energy. As the leaves multiply, the roots will too. As I said, be patient, they'll come around.

Joe

Let me ask...why did you buy this if it did not look too healthy, as you said? Root development will take longer on thicker trunks, I am sure. But six months seems a long time. Do you not have window space? Why not put them outside for the summer?

Christopher

Have you fertilized at all?

I tend to use much less bark in my Jade mixes.

Josh

Joe, I am starting to wish I had mixed in some pumice or more pine bark to help hold more water, and initially I was alarmed by the number of dried, gray leaves, but am learning to water more often. I don't want to disturb the roots again so soon, but at another repotting will amend the substrate content/ratio.

Christopher, it was cut-rate b/c of its looking quite a tangled mess, and I had been wanting to start a forest project. I am champing at the bit to get my plants outside, but it has still been in the 40's at night. Soon, out they go!

Greenman, for the first several weeks I didn't fertilize. Now I am using Bonsai Pro(7-9-5), a liquid fertilizer intended to be placed in the water with every watering and can be used as a foliar spray as well. Using at half strength currently. In the Summer, I additionally fertilize with fish emulsion once/month.

So, what I am gathering so far is fine-tune the watering, apply some sun and a large dose of patience. Thanks people, and any further help/comments welcome!