My Jade cannot support itself

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

My Jade plant is almost two years old, and knowing nothing about bonsai's when I bought it I put it in this pot:

with normal potting soil, not bonsai soil. I watered it every week which I know now is over watering and the roots are very small and few and don't support the plant.

I recently just transplanted it into the pot you see above and used bonsai soil this time.

I just watered it after transplanting, I'm not sure if that was a good idea, but I haven't watered it in three weeks prior to re-potting. (And plan not to water it for another month or so)

I also keep it next to my bay window where it gets a lot of light during the day.

Without the support the plant will just fall over completely. I'm not sure if it is strictly because of the root system or if it is also top heavy. Should I pinch off the top leaves or is there anything else I can do to help it stand up straight? (Also how often should I fertilize it?) Thanks.

Featured Answer

breathnez

11 years ago

Assuming you do really like this plant(you put a lot of energy into supporting it and getting it in proper soil, so I believe that's a fair assumption), I think you've gone in the right direction with the soil you've chosen. And the support system I would leave in place for a couple months, then check. The other major components are fertilizer, water and light. You can follow package directions for succulents of most any fertilizer. Watering I think you have a good handle on. A south window that gets lots of direct sun should be enough for winter, then outside for summer with, as theterrestrialman suggested, some afternoon shade. If your window does not give the plant enough sun, it will tell you by growing tall, thin, floppy.

Long term, here is the thing: one of the major steps in creating a bonsai with the illusion of being a big tree is to have a fat trunk, usually gnarly and with movement(not straight as a board). Search in the Cacti and Succulents forum for 'bonsai jade' and several threads will pop up. You can study those.

I would also look for a local bonsai club, where you can get hands-on help and detailed advice.

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Comments (7)

breathnez
11 years ago
It is really hard to give pruning advice based on those pictures, but the answer to the main issue is that the lack of roots combined with the top-heavy nature of the plant make the support necessary. Pruning the branches will ease the issue, but it will still be a while before your tree will be free-standing. I use fertilizer at half-strength. I encourage you to avoid setting times when you will water. Water when the soil is dry, whether that's twice a week or twice a month. If you're not sure if it needs watering, wait until the individual leaves start to get thin and begin losing a little turgor.

ez
User
Original Author
11 years ago
Do these help at all?

The struggle to set up this new support system was real. I know it looks bad and a few of the leaves were damaged, but at least it's standing up...kind of. :/
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theterrestrialman
11 years ago
How much do you love this plant?

If you are willing to do so, I would trash or compost the plant and get a new one!

Then if you are in zone 9 or higher try a new plant in your pot with the bonsai soil OUTSIDE! No need to water weekly but give a good soaking on repotting. Do not keep in full sun all day, either partial sun all day or either full sun on an east side or a west side exposure. The plant stores water in its leaves. They should be firm and thick looking. With more sunlight the stems will grow thicker and be able to support a nice growth of leaves.
Kim
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Oh shoot... I put a couple of jade into a bonsai pot, and had no clue there was an actual bonsai soil? Sorry for the hijack, but van someone explain to me why this is necessary? Mine has a cactus mix amended with perlite. My poor jade, I have been making every mistake possible with this plant it would seem.

Good luck with yours, hope it bounces back fast!
halocline
10 years ago
Hi NF,

You do have another option. (This is probably what I would do.) To give your Jade a chance to grow some roots w/o having the top heavy issue to worry about, you could remove the top of the plant. You can remove just the top heavy part, or cut it back as far as you like. This way you control the shape and direction of growth. You may find that you didn't like that top anyway. (It's also really easy to make cuttings.)

Jades are very forgiving to being cut back; and where you cut, two new shoots should appear. One of my Jades was also very top heavy and had 4 different tops, the trunk was rather tall and very straight; so I just chopped the whole thing back to about 21/2 inch's. (Just a stump) Now it's showing signs of new growth.

Rob
rooftopbklyn (zone 7a)
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Niki,

It's been a few weeks - hows it going?

EZ has given you good advice above.

It's common for jade's with weak root systems (as you often receive from stores) to not be able to support themselves when first repotted into a gritty type mix. Your system of staking is great, and that soil is better than most bagged over the counter alternatives.

I would not prune at all right now, jade can take energy from those leaves as it slowly recovers. Completely beheading it right now will probably mean death. Don't water for a whlie. Keep it in the brightest indirect light you can, and be patient. some leaves may shrivel or drop, but no need for concern.

Ideally you'll eventually see some signs of new growth, at which point its good to give it some water. If you're not sure what's happening after a few weeks, I'd probably water anyway, then keep an eye on it.

Daniel