Tricia

This may sound negative, but...vermiculite is not so good for succulents. It soaks water like little sponge, and t also deteriorates/decomposes bit too fast. Perlite would have been much more suitable. Regular potting mix is also questionable - I wonder what it contains. Do you still have bag? There is usually list of ingredients. Better would have been Cactus & Succulent mix, many ppl use it 50/50 with perlite. Pumice is good to use if available, instead of perlite.

It would have been best to remove old soil from the root ball. The soil seems to be packed around it, but it is hard to tell from the photo.

Is there a drainage hole in that container? Plastic is ok, but drainage is essential.

The pot is very nice, but yes - quite large. Using large pot with as much soil as it takes is dangerous unless the potting mix is very well draining. Lots of soil like that will take very long time to dry up, and that is not good for jade. It could be helped by filling bottom 1/3rd or so, with something that will just take space - like empty plastic bottles, or upside-down empty plastic pots. That way the volume will be reduced.

Clipping off any stray branches is np. There are more that could be clipped off - the ones that are too long - etiolated.

Thanks so so much for the advice, rina_Ontario!! I'm going to fix my mistakes and hope for the best!!

I agree with Rina. Vermiculite is pretty terrible for succulents and will disintegrate into a glittery mess.

It's better to fix now then wait! It's not a 'must fix it today' so you don't have to rush into it and get a chance to read and collect the ingredients. But sooner is better.

I understand taking all the old dirt off the roots..... but how do I plant it again?? Do I need to put some of the soil mixture into the roots and make a new root ball?? Or just spread the roots out over the soil and put more soil on top and press it down gently??

Sorry for for my lack of understanding, but I want to do it right. If I kill this Jade tree I will be so upset! It had sat in the same pot, in the same place, in my Gran's kitchen for as long as I can remember!! I'm sure it hasn't been repotted in 35+ years, and that's not exagerating!!

Thanks!!

Work the new potting mix into the spaces between the roots with a chopstick or similar object. You don't want any dry pockets remaining.

Josh

Tricia

The soil should not be 'caked' on the roots creating a ball-like structure so do not worry & try to create one. you had right idea about spreading the roots. Fill the pot with well draining mix to about where the bottom of roots should sit (I can't see how deep they may go, you need to estimate that).

If the roots are good and will spread, you could even make small mound of the soil and 'sit' the plant on top. Then keep filling it up, as much as needed. The plant should be potted approx. as deep as it was before. Firm up the soil, do not pack it hard (as you said, firm it up gently). Get a chopstick or something similar (not too thick, and with blunt end) and poke around avoiding the roots (it will be mostly around the perimeter of the pot). The soil will keep settling. You can also lift the pot and tamp it against ground/floor, unless pot is ceramic and/or heavy to lift.

Use enough mix to be within 1/2" or so of top rim - do not leave plant sitting too low because of not enough mix.

Plant may be 'wobbly' for a while - until roots establish themselves. You could use few large rocks to support it, or even tie it up.

Are you using the same pot or getting different one?

I'm I'm getting a smaller terracotta pot for it with the proper soil mixture.

Well.... got the job done today!!

I was really nervous about disturbing the roots so much but I'm hopeful it's for the best! I didn't take ALL the soil off the roots, but did take most of it off.

I used a smaller pot and I think the finished result looks great!!

I moved the Jade tree into my office as there is a threat of frost tonight.

I will cut more foliage off in the spring when I move it back outdoors.

Thoughts??

Is it wobbly in the pot? I'm very proud of myself for having learned how to support a newly potted plant so the roots can grow without getting damaged every time it's moved or jostled. It's a far better kind of support than stakes can give you. I'll be able to remove the supports when the new root system is able to support the plant by itself. I can post some pics from Al (tapla) and Dave if you'd like.

It is a bit wobbly but not as bad as I had expected. I would appreciate seeing your support method!! I will follow those directions to keep her firmly in place while the roots have a chance to support the tree.

Thanks for all the help!!!

I had a laugh when I looked at the picture! It makes the tree look short and fat when it is really tall and thin lol

I misspoke; it was tropicofcancer who posted some of the pics, though Dave did post a picture that I can't find at the moment. Basically, you wrap your wire, string, or rope around the base of a branch or a crotch and tie it to the pot with the string at about a 45 degree angle to the stem or trunk. I used a regular drill to put holes in the rims of my cheap plastic pots.

Al used inside-out tape on a branch of something in one of his old posts, which made me think of adding an anchor to the stem of a leggy dracaena that swayed dangerously when moved but had no convenient branches top work with. I wrapped a piece of electrical tape sticky side out around the stem, rolled up a length of tape to create a lump, then wrapped a third piece of tape, sticky side out, around the whole thing to hold the roll in place.

tropicofcancer's envy-inspiring ficus:

One of Al's examples:

One of Al's many bonsai trees:

Al's method of securing a plant to a pot that's not easy to put holes in:

My little schefflera, waiting to be repotted next June:

Electrical tape anchors on the dracaena (hmm, maybe I'll use white tape next time):

Oh, and Tricia, I think your jade is gorgeous! I really like jades, but I have an irrational fear that I'll kill any succulent that comes near me.

Hello All!!

I'm pleased to report my Jade has LOTS of new growth all over!!

I was concerned about the drastic pruning but it seems to be responding well.

Thanks again to everyone for all their helpful advice!!

Tricia

Good to hear that :) If you have a current photo, would you mind posting?