Repotted Jade

[Devilrocker]

So I repotted my jade into a bigger pot to get the trunk thicker. I didn't take a picture but when I removed from the old the pot the roots were kinda small. So it's not that stable but I did use the old wire that I removed to support it. The top part is kinda floppy and some of the leaves fell off when I was removing the wire. Also this bonsai soil I used has very good drainage. It seems like the water runs right through it. Any advise?

First pic is before a few weeks before repotting.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Give it as much sun as possible. Water after the soil fully dries.

 

[AcerAddict]

It looks like you have a dwarf jade (Portulacaria afra) as opposed to a standard jade (Crassula ovata). Your observation about the roots is correct though. They are small. Succulents don't have the biggest root structure in comparison to other groups like pines or maples. You can support them in a variety of ways after repotting. Just use the method that damages the plant the least, of course. I've attached a picture of a standard jade I'm working on. It's supported at the moment by leaning on some bamboo skewers stuck into the soil. You can buy these skewers at most any grocery store. Once the roots grow out some and it can support itself, I'll be able to pull the skewers with no issues.

Dwarf jade can get really floppy at the tops as you've observed. Supporting it with wire can be tricky, as the leaves will often fall off with just the slightest provocation. The skewers work well to a degree in this case also, and can give some support to the lower part of the tree. In time, the upper parts of the tree will strengthen though. In the wild, dwarf jade can grow up to 15 feet tall.

As far as the soil, it's fine to keep jade in bonsai soil. All of mine are. Succulents don't need a ton of water as they store most of it in their fleshy leaves. It's better to let the soil dry out completely before watering again. As for the sunlight, both common and dwarf jade like bright, but indirect sun. Too much direct sunlight will scorch the leaves. A bright windowsill inside or a shady spot outside is better than sitting out in the sun all day. Good luck with it. They're fun plants and quite tough to kill by accident.

 

[BonsaiPoppie]

Jades grow wild out here. I have seen them 5 to 6 feet tall. The flowers on them are nice. Good luck.

 

[Weta]

Still sorting optimal placement for my plants at the new property.
Frost has hit a couple of the jade's, it's going to dictate cut backs, roll on spring.

 

[vesper818]

Still sorting optimal placement for my plants at the new property.
Frost has hit a couple of the jade's, it's going to dictate cut backs, roll on spring.
View attachment 558182

Beautiful flowers. Is that a particular cultivar? Love it!

 

[BonsaiPoppie]

Beautiful flowers. Is that a particular cultivar? Love it!

Those are cool. Mine are mostly white with a little color.

 

[Weta]

Beautiful flowers. Is that a particular cultivar? Love it!

Unsure sorry, started with a cutting, could be soil conditions.

 

[luvinthemountains]

It looks like you have a dwarf jade (Portulacaria afra) as opposed to a standard jade (Crassula ovata).

I may be wrong, but having owned both I feel almost certain @Devilrocker's plant is some variety of c. ovata. The leaf shape and growth habit, among other things, are different. There are cultivars of c. ovata that have quite compact growth. Everything else you've said strikes me as right. I have not tried skewers before, but I might. What I typically do is place 2-3 heavy stones around the base of a freshly-repotted plant and leave them there for several weeks.

 

[AcerAddict]

I may be wrong, but having owned both I feel almost certain @Devilrocker's plant is some variety of c. ovata. The leaf shape and growth habit, among other things, are different. There are cultivars of c. ovata that have quite compact growth. Everything else you've said strikes me as right.

It certainly could be a regular jade. I have both here at the house, and OP's definitely looks more like the dwarf jade I've got compared to the standard. Can sometimes be tough to get a 100% ID from photos though.

 

[canoeguide]

This is absolutely Crassula ovata: either a small leafed variety like 'Compacta' or it just has smaller leaves due to soil, sunlight, watering, and other conditions.