This is a matter of personal preference. If it were mine, i would remove any leaves with brown spots for aesthetic reasons. I never water on a schedule. Water when the medium is dry. These plants originate in South Africa, and are used to harsh conditions. Also, remember that this is a very common plant, easily replaced.

Christopher

Bkvlad - What we do with our plants is always a personal preference, but what's best for the plant often conflicts with our good intentions. Some things to help you decide what to do.

As long as there is green on the leaf and the plant hasn't shed it, the leaf is making more energy than it is using. IOW, it's a net contributor to the plant's ability to make and store energy, so there is some benefit to the plant if you decide to keep the damaged leaves, but not much of a loss if you decide they need to go. If the plant was very weak and circling the drain, you would surely want to keep any green tissues on the plant until the plant is on the road to recovery.

I like trunks that look like they've been formed by the hand of nature, that the elements or even natural predation was at some time a part of how the plant was formed, but that's just me. You can very easily have your wish for a branch growing from the leaf axil (crotch) of the lower leaves. All you need to do is cut the plant off just a little above those 2 leaves, and start the top as a cutting. A new branch will grow from EACH of the leaf axils. If you trim one of the new branches off after they both start growing, you will literally be able to design the shape of your trunk by selectively removing branches as the plant grows. You don't have to allow the plant to be in control over how it grows. By taking control, you can have a very unique plant.

I water all of my plants on a schedule because I can and it's easier to remember who gets watered every 5 days and who gets watered every 3 days. The advice to water on an as needed basis is good advice if your soil is such that that it remains soggy after watering long enough to inhibit efficient root function or actually cause root rot or the death of fine roots. If your soil is consistent with how it looks in the picture from top to pot bottom, you actually can water on a schedule w/o worry, but do be reasonable. Water your plant before it tells you if needs water. Wrinkled leaves or loss of turgidity (internal water pressure) on a jade plant tell you the plant has suffered drought stress for quite some time, not something the plant likes. You have a soil that allows you to avoid this limitation, so take advantage of it and don't follow a limiting convention.

Keep in mind that just because a plant tolerates harsh or limiting conditions, is not even close to an indication it likes them. Jades actually like plenty of water and fertilizer - they just don't tolerate wet feet.

Great job turning your plant around, BTW.

Al

Hey, I remember this one. Good job keeping it green.

Like Christopher and Al said, focus on maintaining a vital plant through the Winter, giving as much sunlight as you can. Next Spring and Summer, you can get some significant growth and probably branching, too.

I see some mineral deposits on the top leaves (white excretions from the Hydathodes), which typically indicates the presence of dissolved solids in the water or fertilizing solution. You might consider reducing the strength of the fertilizer, but don't stop altogether.

Also, if you want to twist off those two ugly leaves, you might get a new branch or two at that node. I've plucked leaves and gotten new branches at each node before. The key to that, however, is a very vital plant and ample sunlight/light.

Josh

This post was edited by greenman28 on Sat, Nov 29, 14 at 17:41

My C. obliqua burned this year, but none of the other jades, even tho they were all hardened the same. Since this has been such a touchy plant for me, I left the burnt leaves on the plant. Some fell off, others are still hanging on. Yes, they're ugly! Your choice, but I left the leaves hoping to preserve vitality.

(I know I have something else is going on with the plant - see the funky new growth - but I don't think this has anything to do with the burn.)

Crenda, could be simple pest damage from when the leaves were even smaller.

Josh

Josh - I think you're right. I had aphids on another plant. Although I didn't see them on the jades, I treated everyone.

I would cut the plant back so it would branch out. I'd cut it below the top 4 leaves. I'd also repot it so it is in the middle of the pot.

zackey - on the repot, if I remember correctly this plant has an odd long piece that has rooted and it cannot be moved to the center of the pot. It's kind of L-shaped.

BTW - you plant has really rebounded. Nice job!

Here is a link that might be useful: Original thread