Hey Chad. "Green when it comes to plants", that must be a good thing right? ;-]. It does look a little bushwhacked. It also looks likes it's been grown in lower light conditions- if in full sun it should have a lot of branching(unless that's the kitty's doing, too). Could you answer two questions? What kind of soil is it in, and what is your goal with this plant(look, size, shape)? Oh, I guess three questions- and will it be kitty-proof in the future?

ez

@nomen_nudum ok thanks!

@breathnez I am told previous to the new kitten, this was a massive bush! Unsure of the soil, he had planted outside for summers up here in Ontario, Canada. Not quite sure on the look I see this taking yet, I do like the stalky robust look of some jades, though the green leaves offered are really what got me hooked about these plants! Kitty proof in the future indeed. The previous owner got the Kitten to replace an ex-wife and sacrificed this jade to the cat. Pretty sure this jade perhaps has bad memories attached of a love lost! No worries though, its mine to love now!

Chad

I would say light-light-light and good drainage.

I am in Ontario and keep all jades outdoors (except for the winter and in full sun). They look considerably better.
You can chop it a lot or just a little - what would you like it to look like?
Have a look at many threads here about "chopping jades" - here are just one very recent :

click here to see chopped jades - forest

@rina_Ontario Thanks, looking great! Today I go thrifting in search of a new pot!

Make sure it has drain holes too! I've seen terra cotta pots around that size at local garden centers in the Toronto area for not too much. Usually TC drip dishes cost the same as the pot so I get the plastic (if I need to catch the runoff).

If outside for the summer and well drained, there is no need to hide from rain? My smaller guys got SOAKED the other day outside in that rainstorm.

That is correct, assuming the well-drained part. Jades are opportunistic growers, and warmth and water are mother's milk to them.

I don't hide mine at all, they get rain unless it would be days non-stop - in that case they go under sheet of plastic, not enclosed but just suspended over the tops (recently, we had 3 days non-stop, so I did cover them).
In just normal rain, if they are in gravely mix, it drains out.
If they are in soil, it will take way longer to dry out and I would worry.
Some other succulents go under plastic cover more often since they can't take that much water.
Rina

Rina, does your plastic cover extend down the sides of your shelving? Or just covers the top?

An example of a way to go would be to start based on the trunk closest to us in the picture you provided. It looks like it is forked at about 6 inches(ish?). That one I think is chopped enough. The one behind it is forked at about the same height, but the branches from that fork are quite long. I would chop those two to be somewhere as long as the branches on the first trunk. (A little length variation is good.) The third can be chopped so that it is near the same height as the others at the fork. Then with these three trunks, and the cuttings that you've made (those cuttings you could even cut in half) you could pot all of them and have nine trees. There are threads here on gritty mix soils, and on starting jade cuttings. Use the search feature and you'll have plenty of late night reading!

ez

It hangs down - I just took a 2x3, fastened it to top of end posts holding shelves. Sheet of plastic is stapled to it, when not needed it is rolled up. The first shelve is about 20" below and wider than 2x3, so it is like a ^ and doesn't touch the ground (maybe 18" from it) - if offers good protection should rain be blown sideways. When it rains a lot, I just drop it down creating a temporary cover. There are no sides at all, so it is very ventilated. I have 3 tiers of shelves; made them from 14' long decking boards. They are supported every 30" or so and hold all pots without sagging. Not a show piece, but I am only one who is looking at it :) and it serves purpose very well.

Rina

I've spent the weekend working on a new planter for the new to me jade. Still haven't decided on shape the plant will take, but I'm not sure I want to lose any height . I bought some farard? brand succulent mix & will mix in even more sharp sand & layer some peat moss on the bottom of this drainable planter. Excited to be almost done with its new home!

Fafard - (don't know it but read good comments about it-def. better than MG!)

Please, don't put any peat moss on the bottom!

You need to make a well draining mix, not the layers. Don't add any peat, there is probably (?) enough in the mix you bought - check the ingredients.

Same with sand - only larger particles, make sure there isn't any fines in there. I don't use sand at all; if I had to, I would sift it thru kitchen sieve and keep only what stays in...

You already went to great extend to improve and help your plant, don't make it less so with inapropriate mix. All my jades are in mix of grit, turface and perlite (no soil).

@rina haha I'll have to google all those ingredients. This mix has peat / clay etc in it yes. What would you recommend for the best planting medium?

Looking forward to after-planting pics!

ez

Chad
Adding perlite helps; adding grit (about size of aquarium gravel) with it will help even more. I use chicken grit that is easy to get for me, and inexpensive.
If you can get these 2 ingredients, mix generous amount with the soil you have; I would keep soil to a maximum 30% of total volume. Jades can grow well if there is some soil, but need good drainage (perlite and grit will help a lot with it). I get chicken grit from farm supply store, for about $10/50lb bag. I buy perlite in large bags - you should be able to find it in any garden center, even Wallmart, CT or Rona & Lowe's (small bags)
Rina

What do you think about using chicken as well as chick grit? They are different sizes. Haven't found a cheap place to get chick grit though. Probably a quarry, would just have to know what to ask for?

Are you asking about the size? - chick grit is the smallest. It is better to use next size, usually labeled as grower grit, sometimes #2. When making mix, all particles should be as close in size as possible. Hen or turkey grit is even larger - not so good for mix, but good for top-dressing if you use it.
They all should be available at same place.

Rina

Our feed stores don't carry the second stage, just baby and adult chicken. I didn't even know there was a size between....maybe it's called pullet sized.

Chick, grower and layer correspond to sizes 1, 2 and 3, respectively.

Chad- What is that contraption on the container? Whatever it is I want it. and the container too <grin>

Almost forgot - I want the puppy too! : )

Jeff is correct, that's the 'official' sizing/names. I have been to 2 different outlets, and one of them didn't have a clue when I asked by number.
I can't find (in Ontario, Canada) Cherrystone #2, Gran-I-grit that are available in US.
And if buying a chicken grit, make sure it is granite, since crushed/ground up shells (mostly oyster, but could be cockle shells or limestone) are also used for poultry - not so suitable for succulents (it is soluble and I believe it contains too much calcium or something like that...)

Crushed shells are for calcium supplementation for laying hens (of all species of birds kept in captivity) and doesn't work well as a grit (intended to stay whole and stay in the gizzard where the strong muscles use the rocks to grind up their food for digestion, fascinating, isn't it?)

That's a great point to bring up Rina. I had completely forgotten that some *people* will suggest crushed shells for grit instead of the good stuff.

I have seen many photos of landscape with shells being used as a mulch...

There is bagged mix available of granite + crushed shells, that's why I mentioned it, it may be not so obvious when buying. So it is best to check the label - it should say 100% crushed granite.

If they are just crushed shells, it is easier to tell.

Crushed shells are given to poultry as a calcium supplement, not as a substitute for grit. Unless chickens are really range-free, it is advisable to give them extra grit.

Those people landscaping with shells must want a really alkaline soil!

You know that many ppl go just for the looks...And if plants don't do well, they just replace them.

Plant is in new pot. I didn't remove all the soil from the previous planter, left about a 7x5' cylinder of soil around the root system, as I didn't wanna hurt it. The soil was very black but had sad. Should I do a better job of removing? How sensitive are the roots? Also have decided to let the jade do what it wants for a bit growth wise. Pruning tip needed for the future, are these nubs shown ok to let grow out? Or will it just be a snarled mess?

Thanks for all the advice and comments folks. I couldn't find granite chicken grit but I had aquarium stones and I bought some perlite to mix in the prepackaged succulent mix.

@Neil I made the wood support out of white cedar scraps. Turned out pretty neat, though I haven't yet tied up the long jade arms too it. I am wanting to straighten out one arm so I'll tie it up later.

Chad

I can only tell you what I do if re-potting:

I try to get all old soil off the root ball. If much is clinging to the roots, I either 'swish' it in bowl of water or use hose to spray off the soil (for some reason, I can't post any photos...houzz is having problems again).

I pot the plant in well draining mix. If necessary, I either prop/support it with rocks or tie.

I prune off any scraggly branches and any I don't like, and shorten the long ones. I may prune a little to begin with if I am not sure, can always take off more later.

I keep the plant out of strongest sun for few days immediately after the surgery, then put into more and more sunlight until in full sun.

Pruning should be done to your liking, but if any branches are crooked-twisted-too long and too skinny, or in place where they shouldn't grow, it may be better to prune them off.

Rina