I can see what you mean by interesting shape. I like it too. What I don't think is good are all those long, skinny branches that have leaves spaced so far apart - obviously etiolated. There was some light given recently, since many are trying to grow upright - that is where the light was coming from.

If my plant, I would chop all skinny, leggy branches. Few thick ones are 'contorted' and look quite interesting, but eventually, they will get much more straight - if plant gets sufficient light. It really needs it, since it will jus continue growing skinny branches. I am not knowledgeable enough about bonsai, but believe that if you want to retain that shape on older, thicker branches, they should be wired and/or weighted as they are to keep that shape.

It should also be in fast draining mix if it isn't. I would give it all the sunshine possible, introducing it to it gradually.

Btw, t would help to know your general location or at least growing zone...

Is that a jade? It looks more like Portulacaria.

From lurking on this forum and hounding any of the jade posts I see :3 I would be inclined to chop any of the branches that are curved and bent down, just below where it starts to curve. From what I understand, jade can take some heavy pruning.

I understand what you mean by liking the odd shape, but, part of me thinks that the odd shape isn't actually healthy for the plant.

Someone much more versed in the jade world should be able to offer some better pruning advise, though.

Definitely follow Rina's advice on mix, if it isn't in a good mix already. And gradual light introduction.

I am obviously not very well versed in the jades growing (only grew about 1000 of them for someone - but they were just plain, straight plants...) but IMO, there is no problem as far as 'shape' of the branches - it doesn't create any health problem for plant at all. Insufficient light that cause spindly and weak growth is a problem, as would be bad drainage & overwatering.

Shape is more of personal preference...some ppl like plants grow straight with a 'bare' trunk, others like them branched low, or cascading and so on. Look at many photos of Jade Bonsai and you'll see many, many incredibly shaped and very healthy plants.

The branches that are hanging down will not straighten but the tree will tend to make new buds in places that will cause "correct" growth so you will need to remove those as they form if you want to keep those shapes. It will not harm the tree. I wonder if your jade was kept on a high shelf with the light source below?

I was given this crassula about 1 1/2 years ago, I have no idea how it came to look like this - perhaps it fell over and lay and grew on its side for a while for a while and was then righted - but the contorted stems don't seem to bother it at all

I guess it just comes down to an aesthetic opinion :3 I don't think I would like to have my jades look like that, so I would be inclined to prune them back and let them grow back straight :3

Agree with Rina, you can google "bonsai cascade crassula ovata" and look at some styles that you like and copy...

For example this one which has quite similar basic shape as yours...

marguerite_gw, it probably looks that way because the leaves are actually upside down. :)

Thank you, everyone for the advice. My concern on the jade's health is a structural one... so much weight is on a few of these branches that I'm amazed it that they didn't snap on the way home. Though I suppose that's how the curved ones got that way....

I trimmed back a few of the branches to sort of clean it up. I do really like the "droopy" nature of it, but the structure is just a little chaotic. There are a several long branches that are "V" shaped that I don't think are really helping the look. One branch had totally collapsed and was draping across another, a few were tangled... that sort of thing.

I will look more into cascading jade bonsai. If I do my research maybe I can turn this guy into a little work of art. Brute Art.

I will probably repot in a few months (I am entering Winter in my area) to give it some time to recoup from trimming? I understand jades are really hardy, but I also don't want to rush my decision making on trimming. Any thoughts on this?

A small example of the V-shape stems (there were much larger ones... I have since chopped them up to propagate):

Don't apologize, Rina! I love that you are willing to share these with everyone who is getting the hang of pruning. I remember the first time I saw jade whacking photos and thought everyone here were crazy plant murderers, but now it's part of regular maintenance for me.

Thanks, Amyno! As someone else said, picture is worth thousand words...hopefully they help. I used to think same until joined GW :)

I think everyone has that reaction of, OHMYGOOD THAT POOR CREATURE! after seeing a before and after picture, or witnessing the epic headwhacking on youtube.

I know I did ._.