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

Hi Mari & welcome. Condolences on the loss of your brother, I'm sure that makes a strong connection w/ this plant for you. CMcHarris is right that all the info. you need for Jade 101 is already here, his suggestion of searches of this forum is excellent. Hey Toni, Pls. be careful w/ your suggestions. Among other things you've suggested the addition of coarse sand & then later said 'soak the entire rootball'. For a 'total beginner' as she called herself, I'm afraid that'll lead to rot. I wish to amend the suggestions above, first skip the sand entirely. You can achieve the fast drainage we seek w/ more perlite, say 50/50 soil mix to perlite, no sand. Sand is largely not a good idea & can cause problems. Also, when you water, water 'til you see water come out the drainage hole on the bottom. If water collects there, dump it out no longer than 1/2 hr. after watering. Pls. do not soak your plant, nor let it sit in collected water for longer than that or you're likely to have trouble. Toni's a very experienced grower & a couple of the tips she shared (which I'm amending) are fine for her or other experienced growers, since you said you're a 'total beginner', they're not for you. That is, not in the best interests of this plant.

Okay, so if I understand you correctly, then the scar I see is not where you cut but where the rest of the segment fell off? Or is the scar the left over cut segment? Am I making sense? Am I properly conveying what I'm confused about? oh, I found where all the color was hiding. My light comes from the side and almost kind of under the plant a little, I guess. the only reason I even noticed it is because this thread inspired me to pinch some off. I know, what was I thinking. But look at the pretty.....

Without any pictures, pls tell us how we're supposed to know. We need to SEE to have a clue. PS: pls have some patience, like maybe wait a day or 2. not 3 hrs. to ask again.