coltranem
Chumono
In my area Lowes carries portulicaria in the succulent section
Any thoughts on growing mini jade as bonsai?
- Thread starter three4rd
- Start date
just.wing.it
Deadwood Head
The guy wires I think you're referring to are wrapped around the feet of the pot.
I also wire it normally too.
just.wing.it
Deadwood Head
Nah, just wiring branches in a "spiral" and bending them, like later in my thread
canoeguide
Chumono
Definitely check Lowe's or Home Depot (or similar stores). I picked up 3 small ones for $5 about a year ago: https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/3-humble-beginnings-for-5.39985/
I should update that thread as they have developed a lot in a single year.
I should update that thread as they have developed a lot in a single year.
Needs an update but still doing well in the same pot.
www.bonsainut.com
My new Jade leaner
Picked this guy up in trade for work. I'm guessing... crassula ovata jade tree Let me know if I'm wrong about that... He's got a serious lean going on as he didn't get rotated often/ever Kinda like it.
I'm going to experiment with this - does sound like a cool project. Just have to decide if I want to go with some cuttings of crassula (readily abundant from my fairly large plant) or pick up a portulacariana. Then also have to decide between my usual potting mix, cactus/succulent soil, or bonsai soil.
Needs an update but still doing well in the same pot.
My new Jade leaner
Picked this guy up in trade for work. I'm guessing... crassula ovata jade tree Let me know if I'm wrong about that... He's got a serious lean going on as he didn't get rotated often/ever Kinda like it.
Looks good! I can see how you've gotten the leaves to eventually get smaller by constantly pinching back - at least I suspect that's what you've done. They look smaller than normal crassula. "Spekboom"...what a cool name!! I see the leaves are high in vitamin C. If I'm not successful at growing it, can always chop it up in salads
What I find truly amazing is that crassula and portulacariana are not at all related given the reasonably similar leaf shape and also for the fact that p. is referred to as "mini jade". Glad I got into researching this.
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Eckhoffw
Masterpiece
Here are 2 cuttings of crassula.
At left one off my 20 yr. old jade.
At right, one that came off my ikea crassulas.
Quite a difference. Seems like a dwarf jade and not p. Afra. Anyone?
canoeguide
Chumono
Some variation in leaf size can be due to conditions, but I definitely have a true "dwarf Jade" (Crassula) that looks like the one on the right. I believe the variety is named C. ovata 'minima'.
Eckhoffw
Masterpiece
Ahah. This makes sense. No matter how I cut back my others over the years, I’ve never been able to reduce leaf size comparable to The dwarf size.
Yeah, that does make a lot of sense. I've been wondering about all this. So we have a "minima" thrown into the mix yet. My Lowe's doesn't have any p. so I've decided to work with my crassula cuttings - took about 10 of them while watering plants this morning - 2 larger ones that will be sort of a main center stem( in two different bonsai pots) and then several on either side - so I'm thinking in terms of a 'jade bonsai forest'. The one pot I have, however, has no drainage. It's a really cool pot, so I'd like to try it. Will put a layer of stones on the bottom and see what happens. I'm not big on non-draining pots for any plants, but no cost involved for this project anyway. Purely an experiment.
In looking at the cutting on the right - even though it is very likely a dwarf variety as mentioned - it also appears as though it has really been pinched back. Looks like 3 (or 4?) smaller stems branch off from the main one but then there are also secondary (even smaller) stems. Was the whole plant like that when you got it, i.e. branching into progressively smaller and multiple-leafed ends?
In looking at the cutting on the right - even though it is very likely a dwarf variety as mentioned - it also appears as though it has really been pinched back. Looks like 3 (or 4?) smaller stems branch off from the main one but then there are also secondary (even smaller) stems. Was the whole plant like that when you got it, i.e. branching into progressively smaller and multiple-leafed ends?
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Guess I'll find out! So here we go.....probably won't even use all these. I thought the two on the right are good candidates for the center in each pot. Once I get these started in the pots, would it be advisable to pinch back ALL the leaves along the sides of the stems (I've seen a website where this was actually done) or just start working with pinching the tops / new growth? I already pinched off all the leaves on the bottom 1-2 inches of each cutting. I'm thinking get 'em established first before any heavy pruning. With this multiple stem / forest idea, I'm thinking I may not wind up doing much if any wiring (?)
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Forsoothe!
Imperial Masterpiece
You need holes in pots. Lookie here.
You need holes in pots. Lookie here.
I know....as I said, I'm not a fan of any pots without holes and have drilled my share of holes already - but never in ceramic. I do have a bit that would likely work - would hate to destroy the pot though. BTW...you've got some really neat plants there!
Eckhoffw
Masterpiece
you can start with a small masonry bit from the inside drilling out. Back the side of the pot you will be drilling trough with a wood block or something. This way you won’t get chip out. Finish with desired diameter of masonry bit. Using water as you drill helps.
jaco94
Chumono
The Jade tree is a really cool plant and reproduces very easily, every year I cut a few branches from plants that are too big to replant them directly into smaller pots , and it succeeds every time.
Exemple , this one comes from a big plant that i couldn't move anymore , you just have to find an effective way to fix them together , so that it doesn't move .
Exemple , this one comes from a big plant that i couldn't move anymore , you just have to find an effective way to fix them together , so that it doesn't move .
Eckhoffw
Masterpiece
I like this group! May I ask, How long do u let cuttings this size callus before sticking em in soil?
I determined there is about 1/4" to go through. The inside (bottom) of the pot curves up compared to the bottom, so measuring the two distances showed how thick it is. A flat bottom (and thinner) would be easier. I don't get a great feeling about it and really would be sorry to break it. There are depressions from the inside that go down into each of the 4 legs, so I considered maybe trying to drill through them, but that might not go well either. Supporting the bottom is a great idea.
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