Crassula Ovata Trunk

[CelloBonsai]

Hello All. Looking forward to learning from/with you all. I have a question about thickening the circled part of the trunk. Should I let the top continue to grow until the desired thickness is reached and then start trimming back for ramification? Just wondering how a succulent like this should be treated. The second picture shows my desired end shape. Thanks in advance!

 

[qwerty Bonsai]

View attachment 349171View attachment 349172
Hello All. Looking forward to learning from/with you all. I have a question about thickening the circled part of the trunk. Should I let the top continue to grow until the desired thickness is reached and then start trimming back for ramification? Just wondering how a succulent like this should be treated. The second picture shows my desired end shape. Thanks in advance!

Looks like a Portulacaria afra to me.

 

[Carol 83]

I would cut off that left side circled branch and use it as a cutting. You'll get new growth closer to the trunk.

 

[MrWunderful]

Looks like a Portulacaria afra to me.

Pretty sure thats a crassula. Portys tend to have more defined colored “stems”. And I too would lose the left part.

To get it to thicken you would have to let it run quite a bit and if it did, it would still be an awkward design.

 

[qwerty Bonsai]

Pretty sure thats a crassula. Portys tend to have more defined colored “stems”. And I too would lose the left part.

To get it to thicken you would have to let it run quite a bit and if it did, it would still be an awkward design.

you are correct that most ports have those colored stems. But I happen to have one port like Cellobonsai's.
But I am no port expert.

Agree with your all suggestion regarding the design above. My comment to Cellobonsai design is, it's hard to fit a tree into a predefined design style (looks like you're going for a broom style), even if you can do it, it would take much longer time.

 

[canoeguide]

I think OP is correct, that's a Crassula that just happens to have small leaves about the size of P. afra. I have some that are very similar. The leaves have a Crassula shape and thickness and the bark says Crassula.

To the original question: yes, if you want to thicken a branch, let it grow and then cut it back when it's the thickness that you want. This will behave like any other tree in that regard: thickness is a function of how many leaves are being supported by the trunk/branch. They reliably sprout new leaves on old "wood" when cut back.

 

[CelloBonsai]

Thank you for the helpful advice everyone! This is my first pre-bonsai with which to experiment. My only negative experience with cutting back has been that it seems to die back quite a bit from the cut area (2-3 rings on the bark) so that I have lost a lot of what I started with. Is that typical?

 

[lehigh4me]

Looks like a Crassula Argentea Compacta to me, they have the smaller leaves. I have a few of them. Treat it like a regular Jade and it will be happy.

 

[CelloBonsai]

Looks like a Crassula Argentea Compacta to me, they have the smaller leaves. I have a few of them. Treat it like a regular Jade and it will be happy.

Thank you for the id!

 

[canoeguide]

Thank you for the id!

Be aware that C. argentea is another less-used name for C. ovata, as far as I know. "Compacta" variety is also sometimes called "minima".

 

[CelloBonsai]

So C. Argentena Compacta and C. Ovata Minima are two names for the same thing?

 

[sorce]

Welcome to Crazy!

Do you Play?

Strings are my thing! I love the Cello!

Sorce

 

[hinmo24t]

i think its a crassula as well like @canoeguide mentioned

 

[CelloBonsai]

Welcome to Crazy!

Do you Play?

Strings are my thing! I love the Cello!

Sorce

Yes, cello is my profession. Bonsai is my hobby.

I've started a blog teaching cello technique, etc. at mycello1.blogspot.com.

 

[sorce]

Wonderful! I didn't expect you to be so young!

I love how the First thing I found is about breaking rules!

Breaking a Branch, or making any other wrong move, is quite like breaking a string. Even if you can't replace it, something beautiful can still be had!

Sorce

 

[CelloBonsai]

Wonderful! I didn't expect you to be so young!

I love how the First thing I found is about breaking rules!

Breaking a Branch, or making any other wrong move, is quite like breaking a string. Even if you can't replace it, something beautiful can still be had!

Sorce

Thanks for checking it out. I am sure I will break my fair share of branches, as well as rules!

I am a bit older than I look. I'll use that to my advantage some day, I'm sure.