Omg they should never be rooted in water. If the stem is soft cut it away until it is firm. Let the stem sit somewhere for 3 days to callous, and them pot in dry soil, watering sparingly until it develops a decent root system

Excellent advice given above. When they mention a free draining soil, cactus soil is generally not what you want. It will retain too much water down the road, or get too dry and you can't get it wet again.

So while your plant is callousing over, search for soils on this forum. There are tons of choices. The easiest thing to do is mix 50% Perlite (or pumice or other grit) with 50% of the cactus soil that you already have.

That's a nice cutting! You'll have a fine plant. Just be patient.

If you are not sure about cutting it, start cutting off just very end part and see how the trunk looks inside. If there is any black visible, there is some rotting going on. Post a photo for us to see.

Whatever you do, take it out of water. I had similar (thicker) jade branch. It wasn't even in vase, but damp soil and whole branch died. Now I know better...

At the same time, the white roots look promising, I don't think they would grow if the trunk is rotten. But - are they actually new roots? Sometimes outer 'skin' of the damaged roots will slip off, part of root most damaged will break off, and inside of the leftover root will be exposed looking much lighter. Hopefully, I am wrong.

Rina

I HAVE seen people successfully in water, but I REALLY don't reccomend it. These are succulents after all......

Rhamel - yes, it could be done but as you said - not recommended as a best (most successful) technique. Some even grow succulents hydroponically...

You've gotten really great advice, sshanky. Don't worry, these plants' needs are very foreign to this part of the world, but they really will do well with no water until they start leafing out. This cutting really has great branch structure, and will still do well and look good if you have to cut several inches of trunk. I would hate to see such a cutting go to waste and someone who wants to grow jades to be discouraged, so please ask for any clarifications you need- we're here to help!

ez

ps, I would make my cut just at the top of the old branch scar in picture 3, just below the segment line.

Thanks, everyone!

After reading all the replies, I immediately took the plant out of the water, and noticed that the clumps of black roots broke easily off. I decided to get them out of the way, taking care not to bother the white roots too much. I rinsed and dried it, and took some more photos, which I'll attach.

I didn't cut anything yet. It doesn't feel soft or give in any areas, so I don't suspect that there is any rot, but if you all agree I should cut a slice off the bottom to verify I will do it.

At this point I'm worried that the leaves are going to shrivel off. Another one fell of today.

Thanks again, I'll keep adding photos and updating as necessary. I look forward to your replies to these photos.

Even if the leaves fall off the stem is all that matters. New leaves will grow after it grow roots. I have a great deal of confidence in your cutting, and the advice of the people more qualified than me :)

From what I see in your photos, in my opinion there is no need to cut again. I would pot it with a fast draining medium, and not water at all until new roots have formed, which should be accompanied by new top growth.

Christopher

Here it is, in a mix of cactus mix and perlite. There is about 3 or 4 inches of the branch under soil. Where should I keep it? I live in Phoenix, which is currently still pretty hot and sunny (100's, somewhat humid due to our storms). Thanks!

I'd put it outside if it were mine, in the brightest shade you can find, meaning under the shade of something overhead (like a patio overhand) but with clear views of the sky.

And if you don't have that, then I'd put it in my sunniest window indoors. I don't know if Jade can grow in full sun in PHX, ever---mine tend to screech to a halt when it's hot and humid over 100, though we never get as hot as you guys get. (Nearly died in Phoenix, lol.)

Whatever you do, do not water. It'll behave differently in soil than it has in water and until you know it's rooted, do not water or it will absolutely rot. Because you have existing leaves on there, they may wither down or get wrinkled terribly, but do not water. Saving the stem is really the only thing that matters, as someone said above. You can always grow new leaves.

Regarding leaves: Some of us periodically wack our jades to shape them, leaving no leaves at all. It's not a problem. Leaves on your plant will be recycled in the next several weeks, but the biggest store of water is in the trunk. In a few weeks you should see some new growth starting. Wait to water until then.

You've done a great job so far. Now you have to be patient.

Brad

Looks good at this point. As Brad an Grace said, don't worry about the leaves in case they fall off. It will grow new ones - similar to this (that was pruned at the 'wrong time', spent whole winter in the basement under fluorescent and CFL lights):

Just watch lowest part of trunk, if you see any darkening, take it out of soil and start cutting from the very end. Also squeeze it to feel if it is soft. Hopefully nothing like that happens, it is very nice trunk.

Rina

I second Grace's recommendation, direct sunlight in Phoenix will BBQ it. Indirect bright light, a good south window if you want to keep it indoors. I wait to water Jades till I see signs of new growth, then start watering. Good luck !

Excellent job! All good recommendations...shade and no water until you see new active growth.

Christopher

Thanks for all the great advice! I will put it in a south facing window for now and see how it goes. it will not get too much direct sun, if any, and will be inside. I'll add pics when and if anything changes!

Sounds great!!! I can tell you sincerely care about your jade and it will reward you with beautiful leaves and great form. Can't wait to see progress☺☺☺☺☺

May I suggest a more gentle staking method? Velcro-type plant ties or thin strips cut from old t-shirts or similar fabric will not harm the stems. Insert bamboo stakes or chopsticks firmly into soil, then secure individual stems or branches needing support (think of staking tomato plants in the garden). I prefer the green Velcro strips and chopsticks, the strips are easily adjusted when necessary and both can be reused another time. I even use the strips in stead of twist ties or rubber bands to secure various other things around the house - power cords, wrapping paper rolls, etc.

If the plant was mine, I would remove some of the leaves to divert energy to root growth and place the leaves on top of soil where they will root very quickly, thus multiplying your collection and a fuller mama plant. A new leaf appears to be emerging from the stem at the top of your first, like the ones in Rina's photo.

Following all the great advice from others, your will soon have a show-stopping Jade! Good luck and patience.

Using larger rocks keeps new plantings in place too, unless you keep them where kids-animals or anyone else would constantly bump into them:

Glad to hear someone else is using velcro garden 'tape', adaorand. I love the stuff!

I'm not so sure about removing leaves for this purpose. It's my understanding, please correct me if wrong, that the plant is able to resorb and use that moisture from the leaves to help survive until roots develop.

ez

I've been using zip ties, but velcro is a much more sustainable option. Think I might have to upgrade. =)

Yes, keeping the leaves is better because it will provide water and nutrients/energy to enable the roots to grow faster. Through the natural flow of hormones, the plant inherently knows where to focus its growth (the roots, in this case).

My experience is that healthy cuttings (and succulents in general) with lots of leaves are able to establish good roots much more quickly than those without.

Jades use CAM for photosynthesis, which minimizes water loss through leaves, so evaporation/dehydration is not a big concern.

I use the green velcro I get from my produce for everything plant related. For staking, for tying together, even for making a hanger for a hanging plant. Very useful stuff, and free at that.

Christopher

Just a note that if you water when you see new growth, which is what all of us believe is customary and proper, give the cutting a slight pull first to make sure it's rooted. I whacked a big jade into several pieces and unlike other jades I've done before, this one has proven to be problematic. It has TONS of new growth and zero roots. Not sure about now, but it's been months...and just a week ago, still no roots and still growing impressively. I've put it into exile where neither I nor the sprinklers get to it, for now. A couple had rotted and have become shorter LOL.

Hi everyone, I just checked my Jade and it appears things aren't going as well as we'd hoped. there's been no new growth or indications of it, but one of the main branches is starting to get soft (soft to the "squeeze") and is falling over. Photo attached. Any ideas? I have not watered it, and it's been sitting outside in temperatures between 70 and 100 or so.

Thanks!

I think you may have answered your own question as to why it's failing......the fact that it is bone dry, has been sitting presumably in the sun and has had to endure temps if up to 100f. IMHO, it would have been better placed in the shade and maybe sprayed lightly so as not to stress it even more. Just my opinion, I hope someone else comes in to offer more help.

Gill UK

It has just lost turgicity because of heat and drought, notice the little air roots popping up all over that branch. I think giving a quarter-cup of water right next to the trunk would not risk rot, and may help stimulate growth. Then wait a few days to see if there is any response. I would continue to give small amounts a water making sure that the soil is dry in between waterings.

100F is way too warm for this recovering plant. Is it in part or even full shade? Reduce physiological stresses like sun and heat. You are only a little more than a month since re-planting, Patience is still required.

Brad

ok i will move it inside and provide it some water. It wasn't 100F often -- mostly 80-90, and always shade but bright. I left it outside to provide a lot of light, since it's quite dark inside. And I thought the thick, firm stem meant there was plenty of water inside it. Let's try inside and a bit of water.

Thanks!

Brad, great minds think alike eh? Sshanky, 80-90 is still darned hot when you ain't got any roots and are desperate for a drink!

Gill UK

It's been over a month since last posting. I would definitely be watering regularly by now. In a gritty mix, outside, warm weather, perhaps 2-3x per week(of course, every plant must be assessed individually). It should be okay outside in the 80's with half a day of sun(preferably the first half).

If the turgidity does not return after a thorough drenching, then I think we may still be dealing with the dreaded 'r' word.

ez

Hi everyone,m

I moved the jade into the bathroom next to the window. Nicer temps, some humidity each am, and I wet the leaves and trunk while in the shower (but keep the soil mostly dry). The branch dried more and I decided to use a wire to keep it straight. Here are some photos.

I'm no expert, but that looks too desiccated to come back. If it were mine, I'd remove the branch several inches below the problem area and make sure the cut is clear of any black/grey tissue. When it starts putting out new growth, hopefully that branch will fill back out.

I agree, that wired branch doesn't look that great.

I would worry about the rot, so checking it would be important. Rot usually starts from bottom up, so let's hope it is 'just desiccated'.

But it would be unusual for just one branch to be like that, and rest of the plant looks nice and firm. Your photos from Oct. 21 are showing that branch drooping already, so there is some problem there. Healthy branches are supposed to be strong enough to be erect, wiring them doesn't solve whatever problem there is. Personally, I would cut off at least some of that branch to see what is going on, not only the fresh green growth but the brown, more mature (and wrinkled) part of trunk/branch.

Rina

A shame to lose that branch, but you might save the bottom 2-3 links. This isn't called sustaining a loss, it's called building the tree's character ;-/

ez

Why are you 'wetting the leaves and trunk while in the shower'? The misting mentioned earlier was about the soil, not the trunk or leaves. That moisture can not be absorbed by the plant, but can promote fungus.

I agree with others that the wired arm looks dead. I would remove all the dead parts working down until you hit bright green fungus free tissue. It looks fine up until the fourth segment line from the Y branching. The arm may have died simply because it's moisture was resorbed to help keep the main trunk alive during this time of drought. It happens to my plants too. This plant is sure experiencing some strange environmenal extremes recently. I suggest finding a nice bright shade area in a drier room of the house.

I moved it away from the shower to an indoor place near a bright (non-sunny) window. So do we agree I should cut off the desiccated part leaving 3 or so links? Thanks!