Dwarf jade questions

[wyattroa]

I have a few questions on my dwarf jade. The tree seems to be doing well and getting new buds throughout and even has full new leaves in in areas. I water when I think it needs it, when I think the leaves start to wrinkle a bit. My question is, some leaves more towards the bottom of the tree tend to wrinkle faster then other and die off quicker. It is winter here in Chicago and the home is dry. I have it on a humidity tray that is wet too. With some leaves wrinkling and drying out faster then others and new buds popping up all over the tree should I be worried or should I start a regular watering regimen? This is my first tree and I am trying to do everything right as of now. I do need to upgrade my light, right now I have a grow light 50 watt hanging 12 inches above the tree. I tried to keep it by a window but its just too cold and drafty in or old house. Any suggestions and tips of why I am getting new buds throughout and leaves and some are wrinkling would be great. Thanks so much!
Robert

 

[KennedyMarx]

Could be that part of the rootball is drying out faster than the other and those roots are feeding the wrinkling section of leaves. What do you mean by a regular watering regimen? Sounds like you already have one (water when the soil dries out). Is the jade planted in regular potting soil?

 

[wyattroa]

Could be that part of the rootball is drying out faster than the other and those roots are feeding the wrinkling section of leaves. What do you mean by a regular watering regimen? Sounds like you already have one (water when the soil dries out). Is the jade planted in regular potting soil?

I do not believe it is potted it regular potting soil. I'll take a picture today and post one of the soil and tree. I had read these trees and soil can go up to 4 weeks without watering in the winter, but I think I am not going to do that, right now I was at two weeks with waterings. Seems I might need to shorten that time period a little more, I just have heard about root rot and such.
Robert

 

[augustine]

I've had good results by keeping dwarf jade on the dry side when growing indoors during fall/winter. Place a bamboo skewer in the soil, remove and press against inner wrist to determine amount of moisture. If the stick is cool the substrate still contains moisture.

I let the plant go a bit past the point of dry (skewer is no longer cool) until the plants shrivels a small amount. Don't worry if it takes 3 days or 3 weeks before water is needed.

Works for me.

Augustine,
Central MD 7a

 

[KennedyMarx]

The time between waterings is largely dependent on the soil. When I asked if it was in regular potting mix, I basically meant, "Is it potted in dirt?" Soils (dirt) with a lot of peat are going to hold a lot more moisture than what is typically used for bonsai.

Here is a picture of one of my jades so that you can get a good look at the soil:



That is just after watering so the soil surface looks a little darker than when it dries out. The jade is in a southern facing window, but I only water a couple of times per week. When winter is over I'll probably start watering and fertilizing more.

 

[october]

I would remove the humidity tray. These trees are succulents, which is the same family as cactus. The hunidity tray is not necessary. Also, humdity trays really don't do much. Basically, they are a waste of money in most cases.

Second, some reasons why the tree is losing leaves more on the bottom is because when the tree sheds, the older leaves will probably be dropped first. As you go up the tree, the leaves are younger. Also, sometimes if there is a problem in the part of the root ball that feeds a specific part of the tree, it will affect that part of the tree. Also, these trees do shed some leaves in Fall and Winter.

Rob