Pruning Ms. Jade

8 years ago

Guys,

Where would you cut this plant on the left side jutting out? I am not very good at having some "ultimate design" in mind with plants, and I've always been quite haphazard with simply taking off a branch to root for someone, or give away. But because my actual oldest/biggest jade plant is now no longer (RIP) except one enormous stem I was able to put aside, this is now my biggest one and I admit I've babied it.

Upon moving to LV and having all of my plants fried like eggs in two days while I unpacked and ignored them, this past week is the first time this one has even set foot outside, except to be watered. It's been sitting in an east-facing window, but I imagine it's not quite the amount of light it prefers, given that it was grown outside previously in CA. Really didn't color up at all, didn't flower, but it did grow a little unruly. But it's alive, not burnt -- which is 1000x better than others that were chopped up by me from being toasted.

Anyway, I do what to prune this side. It has no chance of toppling given that the pot is concrete essentially, but it looks off.

That left portion, from above:

That one "trunk" has four branches coming out of it in total.

I'm thinking that I might leave the branch pointing upward, and then prune down the other three into 1-2" stubs as shown below or so in hopes of leaves emerging at that point to more "evenly" filling up that side? Or am I off here?

I'm open to better suggestions, if someone has an eye for these things.

Speaking of jades -- (and I am now realizing that it is indeed possible to have too many jade plants...) -- but look at my cute pot of 'Sunset' cuttings! The mother plants were coloring up nicely in yellow with minimal red, but lanky and "indoor-sy," especially compared to my beheaded outdoor ones putting out new growth. As I threw it outside, I cut off almost all of the tips in hopes of it putting out new growth instead. And since then, I have a little table-top patio plant for the time being. :) It gets blasted with morning sun until around noon. I'd be very shocked if they didn't all burn up and die by June, haha.

Featured Answer

rina_Ontario,Canada 5a

8 years ago

Grace

I finally found drawing by Al (tapla) regarding pruning jade branches. Hope this will help some:

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Comments (6)

rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I think that is too many branches growing from same point, and if my plant, I would get rid of some completely...I am looking only at the photo which is not same as seeing it in 'real'; but I would check if that innermost branch is growing too much toward center and clogging it up. If so, I would cut it off completely. I would leave only 2braches there total...
Sugi_C (Las Vegas, NV)
Original Author
8 years ago
Hmm. Now to look at it, that fourth branch contributes to the front ‘bushiness’ of the plant big adds nothing from this side. Then again, this side of the plant ain’t much to look at altogether.

Here are some photos from this morning that shows that fourth upright branch a little better.

So, which two branches of the four should I eliminate and which two to keep, in your mind?

Hey Rina, do you happen to remember that cutting you had me put cinnamon on from like, 3 years ago? Well, if so, this is that cutting! :) Doesn’t smell like a bakery anymore.
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rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
8 years ago
I thought that it was, in pic. #2 I saw familiar branch :)

In last pic, that inner branch I was referring to seems to be growing too much toward center, perhaps even interfering with growth from the thick stump ('familiar branch :) It is branching too. I would probably get rid of it completely. It could be cut down too, and maybe replaced with a new branch growing more upright? I think leaving all 4 as they are (regardless of pruning further up), they are growing from one spot that becomes thicker and thicker and will interfere with tapering of the trunk... 3 remaining branches grow all away from the rest of plant. Personally, I would like to see them growing bit more upright. But that really depends on what you like your plant look like. I would get rid of one of them, leaving only 2. I am thinking that if you just shorten them (all 3 as you were thinking), there will be many new braches again - obviously, they cold be eventually pruned off.

There are also many smaller branches in the center of plant, and I would possibly get rid of some in there. Trying to leave only branches that will not cross each other and make center of the plant very cluttered.

Pls. do not follow right away what I am saying...someone with better eye hopefully will have some suggestions :)
Sugi_C (Las Vegas, NV) thanked rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
Sugi_C (Las Vegas, NV)
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks, Rina!
I stared at this thing multiple times today and still am not "seeing" the vision, haha.

I also noticed that it's actually SIX branches coming out of that one trunk. There are two small stems coming out in that direction. Those, I'm thinking, have to go for sure.

Given that this is plant is one cutting -- isn't that already a 'trifurcation'? HAHA.

I wish I could ship it to Al.
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
8 years ago
Grace

I would ship him probably most of mine, lol...if I could. I know I am not helping much (but sent him message earlier for possible help, if he finds some time).

I have problem with the 'vision' too. Every time I look at he plant - I get lost. One think I am sure of: I like thick main trunk, would love to see it tapering, and do not want really huge plant. I mean hugely tall and hugely wide. Rather squat and 'fat' trunk and branches. I never tried any wiring and probably won't on jades. Maybe I try P. afra one day, they seem to be more pliable to me :)