Good morning, Jose! You are correct. Top-growth means that the Jade has enough roots to push new foliage. The new foliage will, in turn, provide energy for the roots, which will then make more leaves... and so on and so forth. Another thing to consider is that your Jade will be grown 'hard' in a small container - the mix will dry quickly and will warm and cool more readily than a larger container. This combination will make for a slower-growing, more compact plant. I had Jade cuttings in a similar mix in the same size terracotta pots and they barely grew at all. Eventually, I un-potted them and changed the mix so that it was more moisture-retentive. I think that I had originally erred on the side of caution - with a mix that was too gritty and open. If you want that Jade to grow large, slip the whole root-mass into a larger container without disturbing the roots. Now is a perfect time to do it. Josh

Ha you must have read my mind because I was thinking about asking you how yours was doing and sort of comparing notes because I am new to this vine too. I think that is normal for jade vine new growth. The new growth is lighter brownish color and thin and then becomes more of a normal green with age. Mine was putting out a lot of new growth when I first got it, but now since I repotted it into a bigger pot it is growing roots I think, instead of foilage. I need to repot again soon but keep putting it off. I had to supply more humidity here because it is so dry. I notice it does better with the humidity higher. What do you feed yours? I have just been using the normal MG but I heard they like acidic soil so have been thinking about changing to miracid. I am not sure if this is the right thing to do lol. I keep mine in filtered light (shade house. Did yours flower/ or are the spikes still developing? Mine has no sign of flowering but it is young still I guess. There is not a ton of cultural info on this vine on the internet. I have looked... I read it is pollinated by bats in its normal habitat and that it likes average to acidic soil and a strong trellis. Mine is just on a little bamboo tepee for now :) I sure would like to get a hold of the red jade vine cousin (macuna bennetti) too:) Here a link with a photo I found of new growth of the Strongylodon macrobotrys that looks similar to mine. I don't think my new growth is quite as light as this but close. Here is a link that might be useful: Strongylodon macrobotrys new growth

Hi Gaza, Most evergreens will lose their old leaves with the growth of new leaves. I wouldn't worry about the leaf loss as long as your new leaves look healthy. Maybe your 2 small ones are just not ready to lose leaves. I just bought a jade vine this spring. Mine lost all of the old leaves in 2 days and in the same time it grew around 3ft of new growth and leaves. Are you in southern california?? Just wondering what kind of light conditions you have your jade in? Do you cover it/keep it dry for the winter? Mine is in morning sun, afternoon shade, the only problem I've had is some burning of the leaves on hot days....can anyone relate? I can't wait til it flowers. ;) Danielle Firegurl

Misty, Maybe something ate around the bottom of it, girdled it and the flow of nutrients was cut off. Just a possiblility, glad it's coming back for you. It really is beautiful when in flower. If it were not so invasive here I'd put it in. When I was a kid, 17, I planted one in Brooklyn NY and the old neighbors are still pulling it out! I'm waiting to hear about some of the newer varieties that seem to be less invasive and have larger flowers...Gonna wait a couple of years to be sure before I plant it. Just began planting summer bulbs in pots here to get a head start on the season. The growing season is about a month shorter here than where I lived prior, still love gardening just wish there was more growing time here! Good luck with your garden, and your trumpet vine. Chaz