My understanding is that, in nature, if a branch breaks off or bends to the ground those aerial roots can then become earth roots for a new plant. That seems reasonable and likely to me.

I've heard that it is a response to stress, both too wet a soil and too dry a soil. Also that it is a normal(non-stress) process. I am not yet convinced either on these aspects. I hope it's not due to stress b/c it occurs so far on all my jades!

ez

To improve growing conditions of your plant, make sure it is in well draining potting mix; container had drainage hole and the plant receives enough light. Your jade looks quite healthy - nice, shiny leaves, but it needs more light. You can see that it is etiolated - leaves are far apart, and the stems are stretching toward source of light.

Exceptionally common on 'Crosby's Compact.' Typically, it is a response to lack of moisture, either from an actual lack of moisture, or from impaired root function.

Josh

Thanks for all the feedback!

It gets decent light all morning, but not much in the afternoon. Unfortunately it's the sunniest window in our place so I can't move it. The soil is very gritty and all my succulents seem to be really happy in it.

So it sounds like either it's because it was underwatered at some point, or there's a chance it's root bound? I haven't repotted it in a couple of years, is there any harm in moving it to a bigger pot if it isn't root bound?

Also, unrelated to this issue, but is it a good idea to prune it periodically? I would like to eventually have a bushier tree like jade plant.

You can supplement with a grow light to keep the growth compact and not leaning toward the window. That will also increase bushiness. Mainly though, pruning a branch will cause two branches to grow and bushiness to develop. If you are using a gritty mix, increasing pot size in your case shouldn't be a problem.

ez

Most likely just underwatering. The pot size looks good for a plant that size, but I, too, think you could increase a bit without any problem.

Pruning these back is essential if you wish to maintain a compact plant. Otherwise, without intense light, this variety is very prone to developing long, drooping stems.

Josh

Thanks- if I'm repotting would it be prudent to repot, let it recover and then prune a few weeks after?

Yes, you will need some more light. How gritty is your soil? Gritty is good, but I know that sand sized particles are not much of a help.

I think that the aerial roots do not pose much of a problem; they sprout out naturally from time to time.

If you need more light, you could always tether the pot to the roof or something. If you don't want to do that, just try to stick it in a place that gets maximum lighting.

~palmsandsnow

I think it would be a good idea to let it recover a bit before you prune- but remember to keep the light levels high, otherwise you will end up with the same problem as before.

Good luck!

~palmsandsnow

Is that a window well? It looks like there is plenty of light outside but not enough getting inside. It could be helped with some mirrors...:) and the supplemental lights.

Can you keep it outdoors?

Another thing you should do is turning the pot 1/4 turn approx. every 2weeks, so all sides will be exposed to approx. same amount of light.

Can't see the soil, so it's difficult to judge. What is in it? I wouldn't increase the pot size if mix doesn't drain well - more soil (that would be in the bigger pot), longer it takes to dry up.

Looks like there are few stems in there - if so, you could separate them and pot each plant into their own pot.

I've repotted it in a slightly bigger pot. It's a very gritty mix and drains really well. The plant has been pretty happy for the past 2 years- growing steadily, so I don't think there's a problem with the soil (by contrast all the succulents I've had before this have died pretty quickly). I'll be better about turning it periodically, and I'll prune it in a few weeks.

Thanks for all the help!

Hello! A friend gave me what I think is a Jade plant. Too much water and the roots looked like they were rotting. So I took it out of the pot, trimmed the roots where it was rotten, and put it in a small glass w/ water-thinking roots would grow so I could plant it. No Roots have grown. Now what? Small red flowers were there and they have all now bloomed in the water, but what to do now ?

Kim, best to start a separate thread in most cases rather than tagging onto an old one even though subject matter is similar. Please add some good clear pics too then we can identify the plant and advise better. Water rooting isn’t advised for most plants:-) Some location info after your name can also help in som einstances, see many other threads with name, location,zone details.

Gill

would have been easier to just answer the question..

kim - sorry, but Gill is correct. Asking for diagnosis without seeing patient is difficult... We don't know what plant is - you don't seem to know either?..."what I think is a Jade plant"..."Small red flowers were there and they have all now bloomed in the water"...what red flowers? (jades do not have red flowers)...Were they other plants in same glass that bloomed?

Unless you give some pics - and not be sarcastic - you won't get better answer...Have some respect for person trying to help you please.

Do please show a pic, Kim, so as to make advice easier.

You'll have to wait until I can take one and up load it. I will as soon as I can.

:-)

“would have been easier to just answer the question”

Would have if you’d just posted a pic in the first place.......

lol! True! Here is my pic

That is not jade (Crassula ovata) but Kalanchoe blosfeldiana. Succulents should not be grown or rooted in water (even if some pp do, it is not recommended). Most will rot. Just as they do if in soil that is too wet - as you discovered:..."Too much water and the roots looked like they were rotting"...

This Kalanchoe is very easy plant to grow. Pot it up in well draining mix, and it should root. Btw, they will grow also very easily from leaves. I would trim piece of the stem off where either line shows. Let it callus for few hours and pot it up:

Make mix of Cactus and Succulent soil and sited perlite, mixing them 1:1 to get good drainage.

Here is cutting, similar to yours, potted:

It is best not to water cuttings without roots, since they can't take in any water and may start rotting if stems sit in wet soil. Put it in bright place but not strong sun, and wait to water until you see new growth - that is usually when roots start growing. Or you can gently tug on it after a while - if there are roots growing, you'll feel some resistance. But do not try looking for roots by digging it up :) It should root in couple of weeks or so. You may see plant growing some air roots from the stem - Kalanchoes often do.

ha.. But do not try looking for roots by digging it up :) ---:-))

Thank you so much. I appreciate your advice and will take it.

This was my mother's plant. One of few I have left after she passed a year ago. So I try, black thumb, to keep at least some of her memory around in the plants she loved so much. I'm not doing a very good job. These are her plants below. Vast difference in what I posted ^ there. Thank you again.

Well hello again Kim....good you posted the pic which enabled you to get the best advise...it really is that simple! As we thought, it’s not a crassula/jade! Hope your plant from your mums collection thrives, I also have some ‘sentimental plants’, and they are precious ;-)

Gill

I would like to add - correct my previous post where I said: jades do not have red flowers. I

I know they have pink flowers, some of mine did (but very faint pink). I found these photos on net (from: https://photosbyravi.com/2014/03/24/blooming-jade-plant-flowers/) showing blooms quite dark pink, almost red:

Someone else also mentioned red blooms. If anyone has photos, please post!

Kim, you look to be doing a very good job with the other plants you posted. They all look like gesneriads and these like much more moisture than succulents. The care is quite different but you have gesneriad care down!

I have two nice indoor Jades I've

had for years. Mine also suddenly started strouting tiny roots where new growth is. The plans seem to be fine. Just curious about these tiny roots. Never did this before. I've had them around 10 years