Purple, I've enjoyed reading this thread and wanted to add my $.02 worth. The first thing I noticed is that the stems appear to be flacid.....wilty. That could be caused by over OR under watering.....whichever might cause the roots from being able to access water. In this case, I wonder if the water you're applying is evacuating before soaking the whole soil volume. One thing about these plants (all plants) is that though they need to dry out somewhat between drenchings, the potting soil must be completely saturated on watering day. This is true for all plants, even those cacti that are native to extremely arid regions. Have you ever seen "Medicine Man ", a movie starring that gorgeous specimen of manhood Sean Connery? It takes place in the rainforest of Brazil. There are scenes of my lovely Sean ziplining through the forest canopy, sharing the scenes with huge epiphytic cacti and other plants. Really neat movie. Plus, it stars Sean Connery. I get that it's difficult to understand how those prickly, barrel shaped desert cacti have ANYTHING to do those graceful rainforest plants. Here's what I "think " is a good analogy, but don't laugh at me toooooo hard if it really stinks. Take your dog into consideration for a moment. It's a mammal. So are you and the pesky squirrels in your yard. Big differences amongst those three mammals yet they share essential similarities. Still with me? Now, think of those incredible bottlenose dolphins familiar to anyone living in coastal areas. Superficially, they seem to have so little in common with your dog, but those porpoises are just another type of mammal. They live in a different environment, for sure, but the similarities are much more important than the differences. You just need to try to provide the kind of environment your dolphin needs. :-) Dorie

You have a jade, aka, crassula ovata. It is in desparate need of light. Was this where it was when you moved in? If so, do you have a balcony on which you could slowly acclamate it when the outside temps are above 55 or so consistently. If you just moved it to this spot and it is better-lit than where it was, these could be sunburn marks. Typically sunburn marks are more uniform in shape, though. It should have about 1/5 the amount of space it has between the leaves. It almost looks like it is supposed to be a Crosby's Compact which should have all the leaves very close together with proper lighting. Jade grows spindly when it isn't getting enough light. I would take it out of the plastic pot and repot it in a clay pot. Buy one that is shorter. THey are sold as azalea pots. Your soil should be very free draining. When I mix mine, I use one part pine bark fines or soil conditioner, one part grit (decomposing granite), one part high fired clay granules (turface, aquatic soil), and one part small pea gravel. When you water it, water should run almost right through it. If you use peat based soils, they will compact and stay too wet, thus strangling the plant due to lack of oxygen. Even the soils that say they are for Cacti and Succulents are too peaty. You could also try coir inplace of the pine bark fines or in addition to them in place of peat. Almost anything you would use for a bonsai would be okay for a jade since they are very free draining. They don't need a lot of fertilizer. Use something low in nitrogen. I use Schultz Cactus Fertilizer mixed for every watering, but I only give it to them every other watering during their growing season. It is warm where I live until Oct or Nov, which is usually when I stop feeding and slow down watering to once a month until it warms up again in spring. We were warming up in March and then had a frigid spell over Easter holiday. I've gone back and forth with my plants, but having a mild spring has been nice for a change. I hope this helps, and don't hesitate to ask more questions. Do searches on this forum about Jades, and you'll get more than you ever wanted to know about jades. They are, without a doubt, my favorite. I have about 10 different plants, 10 starts from cuttings and two that are bonsaied.

Fertilizer most likely has nothing to do with corking, I asked about what you posted. Is that fertilizer ready-made solution or concentrate to be dissolved in water? Instructions for 'squirts' sounds strange to me but anything is possible (I am not suggesting that is your idea either). Questions I asked are about basic needs of succulents: free draining potting mix; container with drainage hole; lots of light; good air circulation. If these are supplied, the plant grows healthy and it is much easier to care for. Your plant doesn't look sick. Corking is natural. Plant is possibly bit lighter color than what it should be, but it is difficult to say for sure from a photo. If there is not enough light, the color usually gets lighter and plant starts to etiolate - stretch, trying to reach more light. It would grow 'skinnier' or with longer parts, and sparse spaced leaves. It will not die but could be weaker. Most important is good drainage: succulents should not have 'wet feet' - that could easily happen if the soil is too fine and it stays wet too long at the bottom part of the pot. It is difficult to tell sometimes, especially if potting soil contains too much peat that appears very dry on surface. Watering plant may seem to be appropriate, but it could be still too wet. If this happens and continues for extended period, it could cause rot.

Hi Chelsea. If no-one else answers, create a new thread. I reckon that more people would be likely to check it out. Lovely looking plants :) Funny how it's so similar to this thread, even the plants lol. I could give only some advice but I think it would be better not to do anything with the plants until your ready with everything at hand from the suggestions from others here that know a lot more than me. First thing I'd do is to get some pots that have large drainage holes. You might be advised to get one a bit bigger for the bottom right one. You'll definitely be told/advised to get a pot for the one in the glass. Also the mix advised above is what probably most here use. Half cactus and Succulent potting mix and half perlite, but the Perlite needs to be sieved or rinsed first. Both can be bought at garden centres and places like that. I hope it all goes well for you and your lovely plants :)