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Cacti & Succulents

I feel silly asking this...(new gardener re: Jades)

12 years ago

{{gwi:494701}}

See that "stalk" on the left? It's bending around the others and I don't see it growing very well like that. I don't generally like cutting anything off, but would it be appropriate?

BTW, hi everyone. I'm new! I have only had plants in the house for about 5 months but I just love them and it takes a lot not to want to rescue every plant I see in the store!

I'm sorry the pic is so huge!

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Comments (14)

bikerdoc5968 Z6 SE MI
12 years ago
Goddess, your plant is just fine the way it is.... leave it alone. As the stalks get longer, begin plucking out the juvenile growth which will cause the ends to branch. Welcome to your new home.
goddess9
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you! I'm a worrywart but this makes me feel better. I will leave it be. :)
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User
12 years ago
Don't know about plucking off or even thinking that now for this, just pls. turn the pot. The plant's leaning towards the light & if you turn it from time to time it won't be noticeable.

Am hoping that plant has a hole in the bottom of the pot. Since you said you're new, not sure you know that, but it's an absolute must, enjoy!
goddess9
Original Author
12 years ago
I bought it and it looked like that. :( And yes, it has a drainage hole! All of my pots do, I made sure of that. Thanks!
pennyhal
12 years ago
Don't feel silly. I'm a newbie too and ask what must be silly questions all the time. The people on this Forum are very understanding and knowledgeable and helpful and you will appreciate all the support they give you.

Take some time and search this forum for posts on jades and you will find some glorious photos of different jades and more info on them. You'll just want to run to the store and buy more!
Penny
kaktuskris
12 years ago
goddess:

Alternately, you could repot each individual stem to give yourself more plants, and to give each one more space to grow. Personally I prefer a single stem per pot. If you wanted to do this, wait a few months, and repot using a faster draining potting medium. Jades will not tolerate soggy soil.

Christopher
goddess9
Original Author
12 years ago
Penny, thank you! I have actually been skimming this site for maybe a few weeks. :)

Christopher, thank you as well. The jade was pictured right after a repot and the soil does indeed look soggy. It had nothing for a while and was dried out so I tried to water it until it drained out. Unfortunately, I do not recall any good places in Philadelphia to pick up more perlite, etc. To make my own mix.

It has since dried out and I do not plan on overeating it or any of my other plants. I'm watching for any loss of foliage or wrinkling and so far both of my succulents like the soil. Any advice would be wonderful.
jessiec777
12 years ago
Goddess, welcome to the boards! You are going to learn so much here! I'm fairly new myself :-)
bikerdoc5968 Z6 SE MI
12 years ago
Yes, Karen is correct. It is way too soon to be "sculpting" your plant. The point is sometimes they get etiolated (leggy)especially without enough light. The 1st pic is just one of my common jades which I try to keep in reasonable shape while the 2nd is in dire need of a whack job! And as others have said no question is silly... only if I'm the one asking and that's cuz I'm brain-dead most of the time!

{{gwi:494702}}

{{gwi:494703}}
User
12 years ago
Gosh BikerDoc,

Wonderfully compact growth you have there -- very nice indeed!
bikerdoc5968 Z6 SE MI
12 years ago
Thanks Karen. As you know, this only comes with "grooming". Otherwise my jades all look like the 2nd picture... all leggy and disfigured. Wait until you see my project for this spring....
goddess9
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks, biker! Those jades are beautiful...even your unruly one. :)

I'm hoping mine gets a tad bigger within the year but I have read they are slow growers.
kaktuskris
12 years ago
Goddess, as a newbie you must learn the Golden Rule of watering succulents, if no one has informed you of it yet. It is, "When in doubt, don't."

And remember, Jades will survive in lower light, but will thrive in lots of sun. If you like the common variety, you will probably love some of the varieties like Gollum, Hobbit and Hummel's Sunset, as well as variegated forms.

Christopher
goddess9
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you, Christopher. I was just checking my plants this morning and was leaning on trying to water because it looked a little dry. I didn't.

I have an eastern window that they're in. They seem to like it. :)

Lauren

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