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Jade plant leaf problems. Please help!

8 years ago

I got a new jade plant from my sister for Christmas. It was doing fine for awhile then I transported it to college and a whole bunch of problems started happening. First it was mealybugs and I took care of those, next a few of the smaller leaves turned brown and fell off overnight, now one of the bigger leaves is turning color and curling up. I would really appreciate it if anyone has any ideas for how I should change my plant care. I would hate to lose this plant by doing something wrong. Thank you!





Comments (4)

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Is there a drainage hole in that container? It looks small - that isn't necessarily a problem, but water could be accumulating at the bottom unless it drains out. How often do you water? It could be under- or over-watered.

    continuouswinter thanked rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
  • 8 years ago

    The pot does have a drainage hole. I do not water very often because I worry about root rot. I had some leaves looking drier yesterday and a small leaf did turn brown so I assumed that meant it needed more water. I watered it yesterday. It could be that i used too much water? Might it matter that the pot is made of cement?

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    If there is drainage hole and soil/mix dries easily, there shouldn't be problem using just about any pot; they just would take different length of time to dry up. Soil should dry out between watering, but there is so little of it that it should. Root rot happens when plant is in a soil that is constantly wet.

    Old leaves eventually dry up and fall off. I see what looks like water marks on leaves - it would be better not to pour water over them. If it is kept in cool space, watering needs to be reduced. If warm, it would need regular watering. Maybe you don't water enough? But pls. do not overwater it because of what I just said. Maybe you should use a bamboo skewer to test soil all the way down to bottom to see if wet or dry. These plants also need lots of light.

    continuouswinter thanked rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
  • 8 years ago

    Rhina nailed it.

    The bamboo test is a great way to know the moisture of your plants soil. I have hands that don't seem to get much feeling of moist or dry with bamboo. I prefer free chopsticks, from a restaurant. They change color more drastically when damp too. If I can't tell the dryness for the plant, with my hands; and many don't, you can put it against your check. Works well.

    Along with a chopstick, is the weight test. Pick up your pot right after a good watering. Remember how it felt. Then pick it up as it dries making a mental note of the difference you feel in weight. Make sure to pick it up right before watering, and again make a note. Soon all you will need do is pick it up and you will know what it needs.

    Along with a chopstick test, and weight test, use the tool that comes right from the Jade plant. Plump bulbus leaves are telling you the plant was probably recently watered. Get a feel for this with your fingers with a soft squeeze of a leaf. Fat leaves=no water. When Jades start to become thirsty the leaves lose the bulbus feel and will become thinner, and maybe even feel a little soft and wrinkled. If the leaves feel like an old shriveled up carrot that has been in the frig since 1999, water, you have left it dry too long. It will get over it. Overwatering however, can kill the plant quickly.

    I really had to use every trick in the book to understand how little water it takes to overwater a succulent. Hence the long reply. Good luck.

    I think you will be happier with this Jade if you pinch the top out, for branching. Rhina will have great advice for this too.

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