tomtuxman, many members here will advise a clay pot for the overall longevity and well being of the roots. Having said that, you will have to water much more often if it goes to a clay home because of the breathability of the material. Moisture dries much faster than plastic.

On in all, whatever material of the pots don't matter, the biggest influence will be the type of soil you choose to use. There are many threads on succulent soil for starters, but it does get a tad more complicated as we have many dedicated growers here to their plants. The best of the bet will be 50 cactus soil (peat commercial soil) 50 pumice/perlite. I personally never grown in this soil, but I do add some peat soil into my 1-1-1 Gritty Mix now, as I tend to water on the stingy side.

Best of luck with your repotting.

A glazed pot is not much different than a plastic one, just that they are usually heavier and less likely to tip, but also more difficult to move.

Unglazed clay is typically beneficial as it has better breathability (more oxygen) and allows for better soil drying. This is a big plus indoors but a negative outdoors if in a hot and dry environment.

Salt also can leech through/accumulate on clay pots. This could give you information on your fertilizing/watering habits. Also gives that aged look, if you are going for that. Of course, too high accumulation of salts on clay pots is bad.

Once an accumulation of salts is evident on the outside of the pot, do you need to just replace the pot when you re-pot the plant?

Josh - When repotting, you can scrub/wash off any excess salts on the inside and rim with a stiff brush (may not even be required). On the outside is not an issue, but you can scrub that off too.

Ok thanks. All of my clay pots are looking a little worse for wear.

Josh, that is often desirable...you know, the 'aged look' or 'character'.... :)

A quick soak in a bucket of acidic water does the trick pretty quickly to the salts on the pots. You can use battery acid or pHdown as the acid.

Any tips on what I should do with this jade? It was given to me a few years ago and it was very elongated and straggly so I've chopped it down a few times but I'm still not getting the results I'm looking for. I'm thinking about just giving it a massive chop and starting over. I've seen quite of a few jades that have a great shape and thick trunk, but I just haven't had much luck with these. Any tips and advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

Lots of light!

It looks underlit.

Jane

I agree - the plant is getting insufficient light, by a large measure. That's conspicuously evident in the long internodes (distance between leaf pairs).

I'd be thinking in terms of a repot in June, a repot being much more extensive than potting up because it includes bare-rooting, root pruning, and a change to a more appropriate medium. I'd also advise that you seek advice about proper watering and getting the plant on a regular and appropriate nutritional supplementation program. You'll gain a tremendous amount of traction by getting the soil right and increasing the photo load (light intensity and duration) the plant gets. The plant would love a summer vacation outdoors, if you can arrange that.

Al

Thanks for the advice Al. I posted on here a few years ago with some ficus plants I have and you were very helpful. When I got back on the site I was hoping you'd still be an active member. So, when you say a repot, do you think I should use the same pot or a smaller one? Also, can I prune the top before the repot? I thought I read somewhere that you you shouldn't do both at the same time. If I chop it now, will it be recovered enough to repot in June?

Ok, thanks for the awesome advice. Ill try to give it as much as sun as possible until June and then I'll probably be back on here seeking your advice again. I have several ficus plants I need to trim and repot sometime as well.

OK, Josh. I should be here, looking forward to helping with the figs.

Don't put the jades in full sun right off or they'll get sunburn (photo-oxidation). Acclimate them gradually over a couple of weeks to avoid that potentiality.

Best luck. TTYL.

Al

^^^ haha wish u told me that earlier, before summer

i didn't even move those pots into sun, just removed the weeds that grew over them :/

Here's a Jade which I grow outdoors year round. It gets tons of direct sun. It is potted in a clay type pot which did have a glaze on the outside but has since worn off. It desperately needs repotting which I will do shortly.

It only gets watered by rain. I give it a time release fertilizer once a year in Spring. It is potted in pure sand and is terribly root bound.

They are tough plants and can take heat and sun.

I'm ashamed to say it hasn't been repotted at all (maybe 10 years?). The sand is like cement. But it still grows well enough. I do cut it back each year. It will get a new home soon. The pot will have to be smashed to get it out.

Jane

Nice plant! Is that single plant or several? That's what I'd like mine to look like, but up here in PA we don't get quite as much sun....unfortunately.

I'm not sure. It was sitting in the yard when we moved here 4 years ago. There are multiple trunks but I can't tell if they are separate pieces. I'll know better when I get it out of the pot.

Jane