Ann, it can be confusing to know the best way to root Jade.

The method that I recommend is to place the Jade in a shaded area outside and don't plant it. Last year, I had several cuttings that I forgot about and they had nice roots on them by the time I remembered them. I have found that as a newbee, I would put cuttings in dirt and feel the need to water them. Then, they would rot.
Another good thing to keep in mind is that you need to be patient. It seems to me that the larger the cutting, the longer it takes to root. Part of this could be due to the cutting sending out roots to find water. It stands to reason that since a larger cutting has more water stored in it, it would not need to send roots out as soon as a smaller cutting.
So, in a nutshell, let the cut piece callous over, put the cuttings in the shade. After you see roots forming,Wait a few more weeks before placing the Jade in soil. Once you place it in soil, don't water it. Those roots will only get larger and stronger if they continue to search out water. You can give the Jade some water, but not a lot. Remember that there really are not that many roots to take up water to the new cutting. So, excess water has no where to go and leads to rot.
If you need more cuttings of regular Jade or have any questions, feel free to contact me. Good luck.
Daniel in Ohio

Several weeks ago my dog knocked my sunset jade over and broke a branch off of it..I stck the branch in dirt in my windowsill and it is doing great, it is rooted and looks beautiful, bright pink and green. I water it sparingly as it dries out and otherwise leave it alone.

Ann, you don't need to do it the "best" way. Just do it some way that works. Jade is really easy to root. Far as I can tell, it makes little or no difference if you let it callus or not. It can sprout roots in the shade even if it's not in soil, but it'll also do well if you plant a cutting before it roots. That's why you get so many conflicting instructions ... they all work reasonably well. The only absolute rule is: "Easy on the water!" Jade plants aren't African violets.

One more suggestion - if you follow the "air rooting" method, prop it in a pot so it's not sitting on its side. I've found that if it gets any new growth while it's sitting on it's side, it grows "up" which means when it's put back upright, it's got growth at a right angle.

Denise in Omaha

Thanks everyone. I think I am going to try to air root these but I have to figure out how to stand them up. The lady that gave them to me had hers growing like a hanging plant (I guess they were cuttings that she just laid in the soil) so the pieces have a curve to them and I want them to be more tree like. Any ideas (ya'll are all so good with help and those of us that are kinda new really appreciate it)So any tips of keeping them upright and not falling over let's hear it please
Ann in So Ut.

A friend just gave me some jade cuttings so this is timely for me. After reading all of the above I've made the decision to root mine in a pot...with little or no water. Why? When you do decide to plant those "air" rooted cuttings it is very likely that you will break many of the new roots off. IMHO

Its funny with jades tho, as long as there is little water involved, it seems they will ALL root in time.. I tend to agree with Bernergarden, I do mine best by forgetting about them.. then its a nice surprise when I happen to look on a bookshelf and see a cutting that I had made, forgotten about it, and its ready for soil by the time I find it! lmao
Christina