Large Jade #1 whack

10 years ago

OK folks, I've done it, well partly. For starters I've removed all of the leafy bits so that I can see what I'm doing...hopefully, so please stay with me for this as with your help I'm sure I can improve things. Decided to put this into a separate post so I can go through the progress of #1and #2 easily with you.

I know I spoke of the 'one apex/trunk' vision that Al recommends but I think I want to keep #1's multi-trunks as they are as it looks balanced to me. I think to transform this into a single trunker would be way too difficult and I would loose too much of its 18 years growth.
I was amazed at all the errr, 'potential' cutting material that found it's way into the bowl...
{{gwi:509030}}

here's the poor thing after the initial chop....not a flower cluster in sight, apart from in the bowl above ;(

from another angle...

Gill UK

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Comments (10)

cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
10 years ago
Gill,

That's a fabulous job and a wonderful start, and I hope you haven't put away the knife, clean as it must be.

Take away most / all (I'm voting 'All') of the smallest limb(lets). You'll clean it up fabulously and give clear and present delicious definition to those lovely lengths of jade. You might also want to / have to shorten the limbs where the limblets were, in order to keep its great shape.

That's a pretty plant, and I can see why you're so focused on it. It's got the tortoise-shell pattern, which is always a winner.
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greenclaws UK, Zone 8a
Original Author
10 years ago
Well, as you can see, I've been a bit more tentative when it comes to surgery on Jade #1 as I've only done some minimal pruning as I cant 'see' what I'm aiming for so am scared of ruining the poor thing, does that make any sense? Are you suggesting that the branches till need shortening considerably. I wish I could see the vision of the end product, I really think I need to study to become a 'medium' and be able to see into the future, lol!

I think the 2 new pics are from similar angles to the 2 in my OP to show what I've done so far. I welcome suggestions for me to consider for the next stage, so thanks in advance.

Gill UK

{{gwi:509033}}

{{gwi:509034}}
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Blut... Jades can take a whacking any old time, really. I've whacked them spring, fall, winter. It doesn't seem to make much difference, realy. Now is probably a good time, as we're going into spring when growth will be optimal. You can prune them when they're big enough to have a trunk, even a little one. Just be sure to prune above a "joint" (as I call it...) Trunks tend to have places where it's obvious a set of leaves once were. As long as you have a "joint" or two, it'll sprout new growth. It's probably best not to whack right after or just before repotting. A few weeks before/after is better. After whacking, just treat it pretty much the same - let it dry between waterings. Of all the succulents I grow, Jades have to be the hardiest, so don't feel intimidated at all by pruning. In the end, you'll be glad you "whacked away!" I used to be a little leary of pruning. But (as I'm sure a lot of you have heard over and over!), my first German Shepherd taught me the value of pruning. His big ol' overly enthusiastic tail would periodially "prune" a plant by knocking it silly. Initially, I would be so pi$$ed!! But after it happened a couple times (and I saw the results a few months later), I figured out that in the end, I had a remarkably more beautiful plant! Oh the things we learn from our pets (and I'm sure mischevious children, too!) Denise in Omaha
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Cm, the side trunk did root to my great surprise as I've never tried one that big before. After letting the cut end dry for a few days I put it in the same mix as the large ones...a very gritty one with bark/grit/perlite and minimal cactus mix. I used a terra-cotta pot and watered sparingly just to settle it in. I wrongly pulled off most of the leaves as my thinking was that this would be best, anyhow, it started to put out new growths but lost a couple of branches that were on the soft side, it would have been far better to whack it I think, but I didn't do so at the time....my second mistake!! Confession time now...I ditched it only the other day as I have rather a lot of Jades these days! Plus it was a very one dimensional specimen. Josh, hi there. Yes I think you must have had some secret influence on where it decided to dry back to, LoL! I'll try to keep it compact and low. Now to the main question again...what do I do with the main top growth? Would any of you prune back again like #1? Please take a look at my other thread linked below if you have time anyone...thanks in advance for any ideas/help. Gill UK Here is a link that might be useful: large jade #1 whack
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It is debatable when the best time to do it really is. Part of the issue is that Jades are pretty variable in terms of active versus dormant season. Depending on your climate, you can have a very distinct dormancy. Typically when it gets too hot, Jades will go dormant. Otherwise, they are pretty opportunistic growers. Here in Santa Monica, they are basically always in growth, if you provide them with water. However, they seem to be most active in early spring after they have bloomed. Personally, I prune mine in early spring, so that the new growth forms almost right away. Having said that, if you are providing anywhere near the right conditions for your Jade, then you can prune whenever you want and not really hurt the plant. Jades are incredibly resilient plants! So pretty much, I'd say do it whenever you want to! You definately have the right idea with the water. If you are really going to do a whack-job (completely remove all leaves) then keep it almost bone dry until you see new growth. If you are just doing a little pruning here and there, you can just cut back, but not stop watering altogether. Of course this assumes you are keeping it above 50 or 60 F at all times... If it is colder than that, keep it drier. And how about some before and after pics!
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Nice collection! The big leaves usually grow in response to lower light and/or high fertilizer levels. The new leaves that grow in will be smaller, I imagine. If the plants have roots, wait about a week to give them some water. That should be enough time for any root-damage to have callused. Josh
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cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
10 years ago
Make the littlest bits go away, Gill, and I'd guess you'll be a jade seer sine qua non.
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greenclaws UK, Zone 8a
Original Author
9 years ago
Hi again, here's #1 after growing back. I seem to recall someone (Al maybe??) suggesting to remove opposite sprouts for a 'good look'....I would welcome thoughts on this and any other ideas obviously as the next stage is looming.

{{gwi:509035}}
Gill UK
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greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
9 years ago
It's a tough call....if I were in person with you and the plant, I'd be able to suggest a branch or two that could be shortened. At this stage, however, I'd wait for the leaves to fully mature and begin returning energy to the plant. I think the branches to modify will be much more obvious when the plant has filled out. It is looking fantastic!

Josh
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sam268
9 years ago
Hi Gill

This is my favorite one between the 2 you posted.
The plant looks really nice too without any leaves from the second picture above.
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greenclaws UK, Zone 8a
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks Josh for the info, I can see what you mean by waiting for it to put on more growth, so I will do just that. You are a great help to me....soooooo, if ever you are passing by my part of the globe, please call in!!

Hi Sam, I can't decide which is my favourite as I treat them like my 3 children....I just can't pick which one I prefer as each is an individual with their own good qualities!

Gill UK
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americangolden
9 years ago
Awesome whack job on this plant. It looks great!
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0nametaken0
9 years ago
Seeing threads like these make me itch for a jade. I found them boring since they are all green, but Ive never seem them treated like bonsai. I absolutely love it!

What do you do with all those leaves? Plant them?

This post was edited by NameTaken on Fri, Aug 8, 14 at 15:40
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greenclaws UK, Zone 8a
Original Author
9 years ago
American G, hello and thanks for the kind comment, glad you like my efforts :)

NameTaken, hi there....regarding the leaves...no I didn't plant any of them as I have enough Jades in several varieties already, so they simply went onto the compost heap....and everyone of the things rooted in there, even the ones that got buried deep down, lol!!

Gill UK
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Large Jade #1 whack

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cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5

greenclaws UK, Zone 8a
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Large Jade #1 whack

Comments (10)

cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5

greenclaws UK, Zone 8aOriginal Author

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greenclaws UK, Zone 8aOriginal Author

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