John

Your jade has few problems: it is very etiolated. They need lots of bright light ad sunlight. It is bit re difficult to supply that indoors, but many have that problem...I keep my succulents outside, most in full sun almost all day. But in late fall, they have to go indoors and I use lights for them.

Softening stems could be because plant is thirsty (relatively easy to solve), or rotting (worse).

If some roots were withering, that could also be from thirst - they would be mostly dessicated; or from rotting - they would e soft. dark and maybe slimy. As long as the trunk is not rotting, all the roots could be gone - just dried up and crumble off; or cut off in case they started to rot - and trunk could be rerooted. I do not know what they are like.

If my plant, this is what I would do:

unpot it and inspect the roots. Get rid of all dry and rotting. Cut off broken or drying roots to the fresh flesh or entirely. If there are separate root balls for trunks, threat each as separate plants. Decide if you pot them individually - I would, but it is up to you. Even if it is just one plant branching , it could be cut into 2 - but again that is up to you.

Prune all long, empty of leaves and/or soft and skinny branches quite severely. I am posting a photo with just a few suggestions. Pls. keep in mind that I can see only 2 dimensional photos and there could be much more to prune:

After every cut, make sure the flesh is healthy = doesn't have any dark spots or lines or any marks. That may be sign of rotting. It should be of uniform light color (usually light green or creamy, not dark).

Let plant air dry to callus all the cuts. Overnight or whole day should be enough.

Depending on your mix, I would add more sifted perlite or pumice, and even grit.

Put the cleaned up plant into dry mix.

Water only when mix dries up between watering. Use a log bamboo/wooden skewer or chopstick or thin stick to check for dampness deep in the pot (3/4 or even more deep).

It is best to do pruning when plant actively grows. I have done it anytime, but maybe you should wait until spring. Sometimes - if there is rot present - it is better to 'help' the plant regardless of season, since leaving it as is could make it much worse. In the meantime, I would get rid of all soft branches to make sure there is no rot in any stems. And, you need to supply better light or plant will just grow same way - skinny and 'contorted' branches, leaves smaller and far apart and so on.

Ask if you have any further questions.

Thank you! I did repot and tried to remove all old soil and bad roots as far as I could tell. It’s one plant so one set of roots. Guess I will try it again and see if I can clean it up more. I used to do periodic small waterings but that was more than a month ago. I’m just scared of overwatering now! The light is ok where it is but not full south-facing. I can move it to a place that might have more light. Thank you!

did you use pre moistened media when you repotted???

I am sorry to contradict you but plant is 'telling' me that it doesn't have enough light. If it had, leaves would grow much closer together:

...they would not curl down as some of yours do; stems would be much more straight...Most succulents need at least 5-6 hrs (more is better, like 8+hrs) of sunshine to grow the best. I have lights on timer for 12hrs/day. Maybe you can consider a light hanging over the plant? It doesn't have to be expensive grow light. Simple CFL light bulb that is min 23W or LED light bulb in a hanging fixture will make lots of difference...

Plant needs thorough watering when needed, but should be watered less often in cooler temps (I don't think that is the case indoors).

Were you able to get old soil off the roots?

Rina, I couldn't of helped any better. Nice work.

By the way, I almost lost my watch chain plant you sent me((( I had a huge mealy infestation over the past winter and spring, so I cut off the good ones and soaked them in soapy water for 20 minutes then sprayed insecticidal soap, then planted the babies and had to throw the mother plant out that was huge! That depressed me. but thanks to you , you always had a way of sharing how to save plants and I did. Now I have two potted ones growing like crazy)))

All is NOT lost.

John, good luck and keep us updated please))

Jade plants getting optimal light exposure have up facing, ovate leaves with red margins on the order of those in the top part of the example in rina's photo - we are talking about a species that grows happily outdoors in full sun in places like Honolulu.

Mike

I am glad you were able to save the chain plant! I didn't ever noticed mealies on it, if I get some, they are usually on small leaved jade (Crosby's Compact - just couple of plants get them). I have had mealies on E. 'Doris Taylor' few times too, and the E. purpusorum. So I pay more attention to these and use rubbing alcohol if needed. I am sure your plants look great now...maybe few photos of some of your plants are in order! Have not seen many of them lately...hope all is good with you and your family.

Embothrium

I would like living in Honolulu :) Then I would be able to keep my succulents outdoors year round. I probably would have hedge of jades instead of Haskap I have now, lol.