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Cacti & Succulents

Jade plant problem...I am new to this!

17 years ago

Hi!

I am a plant novice who recently (3 months ago) purchased a small Jade plant. It lives by my patio doors which is a bright area that recieves 1-3 hours of direct sunlight each day. I have been careful not to overwater or mist it since I read that these are common problems caused by over-eager owners. In any event, I have noticed that every few days 1+ leaves have turned yellow and a bit mushy and have fallen off. The rest of the plant seems to be doing well, as the top leaves have a rim of red around them, for example...

Any ideas? Is this normal?

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer to a newbie.

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Comments (10)

shapiro
17 years ago
Lauren: a red rim around the leaves indicates that the plant has received a lot of bright light - our jades spend the winter in the house and the leaves slowly loose their red, then when we put them out on the patio in the summer, the red comes back.

A leaf that turns yellow and mushy... has your jade been exposed to a lot of cold recently? Under normal circumstances in the house, with lots of good light, that should not keep happening.

But I would say: don't worry - jades are pretty well impossible to kill. The only thing you need to be concerned about is to not overwater. We give ours a drink only when the leaves start to look a little wrinkly... a sign that moisture is really low. About 3 or 4 times per winter is plenty. No kidding :)
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Denise
17 years ago
If all else seems ok, I wouldn't worry too much about it. It could be the shorter days are triggering some shedding, or maybe it's in a drafty spot?

I water mine when they're dry, which averages between 2-3 weeks in winter. I keep mine pretty potbound, so they dry out pretty fast...

Denise in Omaha
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Linda, Aside from Josh's questions... When did you get the Jade? How much light was it getting before you brought it home and now? I'm certain you read Jades are succulents, so soil needs to dry between waterings.. This is true. However, since your Jade is potted in a Bonsai pot, soil dries much quicker. Therefore, your soil 'may' need more water. Testing soil in a bonsai container is simple enough to determine whether the soil needs a drink or not. Of course, it depends on size of pot, plant/roots, room temp, etc. A picture would help..and size of pot, too. Toni
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Hi. You say you've "only" watered it 3 times in the past 3 weeks. That's way too much for the winter. I think your main (and maybe only) problem is overwatering. Some people don't water their jades at all in the winter, especially if you live in a colder area. I live in NY and water my jade every month or two. Starting in spring, or when the days get longer, you can then increase to about every 2 weeks or so (basically when the soil is completely dry). But I think once a week (even in summer) is too much for a jade in Chicago weather. You mentioned that the leaves were round and plump...that's because they are succulent and store water in their leaves. So if they are round and plump they definitely don't "need" water. Also, make sure your jade gets a lot of bright light. Also, it should be in a well draining soil mix, and in a pot with a drainage hole. As for the white material, I'm not sure about that. I know only simple things about jades. You'd be better off posting this on the cacti and succulents forum, since this is a succulent. I would also add more information, like what type of soil you're using, what kind of light it's getting, etc. There's also plenty of information in the C+S forum on caring for jades, so while you're waiting for responses maybe do a search in that forum. Good luck, Gabi
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Using the search function, I've found this for you: Trimming a jade (with 99 posts!) http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cacti/msg051741321904.html Al's Gritty Mix has been discussed recently, too. http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cacti/msg051741321904.html
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It does look healthy, even if it is etiolated and gangly. There is no right or wrong way to go about trimming. Just cut back anything that does not help create a form you like. Don't worry about cutting large branches. You can not kill it by pruning. When you cut pay attention to the segment lines, and make cuts close to the lower line. Any remaining portion of a segment will be resorbed, and the remnant will fall off. I would probably cut the horizontal limbs back to where there are more vertical branches. Over time, small branches will grow, and todays scars will be almost invisible. I like to remove all the small branches and leaves in the lower 2/3 of a limb to show the trunk, but you may have other ideas. Crassula ovata stores huge amount of water in the stems, and will recover from almost any pruning, even if all the green leaves are removed. Fear not. Your plant has been growing unnaturally for a long time, so don't expect it to look fantastic right away. Try to develop a more natural shape. You could try to make something interesting out of the horizontal branches. Trim them back to a vertical branch, even if very small. Play with it. You may find that trimming is intoxicating, and you can easily get carried away. But all of the cuttings can be rooted, so you never lose anything. Some of your cuttings already have a lot of potential. Branches that were previously horizontal will easily adapt to a more vertical position. Have fun with it. Brad
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tommyr_gw Zone 6
17 years ago
It may be too close to the glass and catching too much cool air from it. Back it away from the glass a bit. Unless it is far enough away (say a foot or more) then forget I said anything!

Tom
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birdsnblooms
17 years ago
Are the leaves that turn mushy and yellow closest to the soil? People have different interpretations of dry soil. My Jades are dried to the point just before soil cracks..which is dry..Perhaps the soil is moist and those lower leaves are sitting on the soil?? Is this possible?
Wet soil does effect leaves..remember, one leaf can root in soil...Toni
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norma_2006
17 years ago
Use a pencil or chop stick for a water meter. That is all I can add. You all have it well under control. Some don't like the house heat this time of year. Thanks, Norma
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gw:lauren_g
17 years ago
I have read all your messages and suggestions...thanks a millon.

I will definitely make sure to really let it dry between waterings in the winter. I moved it a bit further away from the patio doors incase it may be a draft...
And yes...we have starting using the heat as it has been getting pretty chilly here in Montreal these past few weeks...

Hopeful author: yes...some of the yellow leaves ARE close to the soil..so it is possible they were just absorbing the moisture from the earth....

Yes - I will use a pencil to test the soil. Good idea.

I will be posting again soon with a picture of a plant I am babysitting for my grandmother that I haven't been able to identify!
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shanesirish5
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
shanesirish5's ideas · More Info

I have a large Jade that is out growing my house, almost 6' tall with very large branches 5" in diameter, how should I size it down? Have givin many starters to people but now I have to somehow top it. Thank you for any suggestions. Jade is 30 years old.
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lmontestella
7 years ago
Hi Shane.

This appears to be a 10 yr. conversation. Pls copy your post into a new thread which should bring you current responses. Best of luck.

Lena
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shanesirish5
7 years ago
im sorry, I'm trying. Not very good at phones, but I'm working on it
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shanesirish5
7 years ago
Lena im waiting for my wife to show me how to copy and place into new thread, imbarassing.
0

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