how it looked before shipping

Dave

Is that plant on the right a separate plant or attached below soil level?

I would most likely divide it. The main trunk is nice & thick, and it could grow easily thicker. I believe it would look very nice as a separate plant.

Few branches look long, I would prune those shorter.

Rina

i suppose it is possible that it is separate but the roots are very thick and im not sure how to go about dividing the two and i dont want to damage the roots.

Is there an easy way to do this?

Just cutting them apart - I have done it successfully with healthy root ball. Some roots always get damaged even with simple potting-up or re-potting, so there shouldn't be much of a problem. Did you by any chance take a photo of the roots? (I usually forget...sorry I don't have any to post).

Rina

Another option is to wash them apart, this would cause less damage probably, but is it the right time of the year to do something as drastic as that? Each option carries its own risks.

It has a good structure and will look great this time next year with some sound advice on shaping. What a shame it got squashed so much :(

Where are you situated, could you add some location info to your name as it often helps when advice is sought?

Gill UK

Yes, sorry I just fixed that I am in Vermont. I keep my jades inside year round.

I did not take a photo of the roots though I probably could once I get a better pot for it. It came in an 8" plastic pot i believe regular potting soil, moss covered top like most of the ones i have bought, im guessing they grow better this way outdoors or in greenhouses.

It doesnt appear to actually to have been squashed, I contacted the place I purchased from and it does appear to be full of water the leaves are very hard and full, and Im going to leave it alone for another week or so hopefully it will dry out before I try to spread any of the limbs out cause I have only managed to snap the ones Ive tried untangling. I didnt realize it would have been so full of water. Im guessing it would be a worse time to divide or cut now then when the plant has had a chance to dry out?

That's a great Jade with nice trunks. For now, I would not trim. Rather, I'd let the canopy "relax" and open back up, perhaps with just a little gentle encouragement. Next season, commence the pruning with a better idea of where the branches want to go.

Josh

What about this crosby jade. Do you think it would do better with a trimming?

I have snipped a few small branches in a few places. I have managed to get a lot of these long branches growing upwards now. And over the last month there is a lot of new growth coming in on the branches ... Maybe it is really happy as it is. Though I would like it to look a bit fuller,

Yes, the variegated one is bunchy but I definitely wouldn't cut any of the main trunks - that would be a step backward. The cluttering of the side branches is the source of the unwanted density - thin those out a bit instead.

If it were mine, I would cut the large stem on the right off with some roots and pot separately. You will have two nice plants. Having one main stem in a pot is not a step backwards, in my view. The plant will put more energy into the one stem. And personally, I think one stem per pot looks better. But that is a matter of taste. Opinions differ as when is best to trim and repot. Some say Spring is best, but these plants are in active growth during the winter as well, at least here in Massachusetts.

I would recommend you putting your plant outside for the summer, as you just might end up with flower buds like these by the time you bring them inside.

Your other Jade, Crosby's Compact is anything but. Looks etiolated to me, needs more light than it has been receiving. This would only benefit from a severe trim, and will need much more light than it has been receiving to prevent the same condition from returning.

Christopher

As I mentioned, I would separate 2 thick trunks, and prune all longer shoots much shorter. It is either 2 separate plants with own root system (that could be intertwined, but it could be separated with help of chopsticks or similar), or if attached below grade, it should be no problem to cut apart.

Crosby's needs lots of pruning too, can you keep it under lights during winter so it doesn't etiolate any further? I believe that is also a reason why the plant is top-heavy and needs to be staked. Jade should be able to support itself. It is a nice large plant, it just needs some tidying up. Etiolated branches will not become shorter without being pruned, but you could have lots of new plants.

Do you want the trunks get thicker/fatter? I hope so, because jade looks really nice that way...don't cut off any branches at this point completely, just shorten them up and let grow until the trunk is as fat as you want it (even few seasons).

All of my succulents go outside as soon as it is warm enough. I acclimatize them to sunshine, and they spend whole summer in full sun. They grow really well that way.

Rina

edited to add:

both plants have more growth on one side, so turn the sparser sides toward source of light. Eventually it is good idea to rotate plants about 1/4 of turn every week or so (depends on light situation). The sparse covered side should eventually catch up.

Here is a neglected plant that was given to me year ago, it was very dry and suffered touch of frost:

it had several of the long branches when I received it. as you can see in the picture it is getting a lot of new growth on the branches. I have a lot of jades in this large picture window and they seem to do good.

Thank you I am wanting to separate the two side branches on the variegated and grow them on their own. And i would like to trim back the ones on the second plant, Do you not think it is a crosby? it is a mini jade if not a crosby then what? I do have one crosby compact where the majority of leaves are half the size of these but the ones at the bottom are larger and this size.

not to sidetrack from the advice im seeking but I recently acquired a "ripple leaved jade" much earlier this year which is in the same window and its now starting to get a lot of new growth on the main branch and has just recently flowered. The first jade I have ever had flower and seen in person. when i first saw the buds they were all white then one blossomed and it is white and pink. Glad to have seen this in person at least once.

Thank you all for your advice, Yes i will try to get pictures of the roots of the variegated but I am going to leave it for a week or so as it is fragile right now being so full with water and there are many small branches intertwined in each other and any ive tried to untangle have snapped.

I am going to take advice and shorten the branches on the crosby, I would very much like to see the trunks grow thicker. I dont believe the light its receiving is an issue the plant had the long branches when I got it and has since then started to fill in if you look at all the short growth on the branches none of that was there when i got it. I staked it to tie the branches upward when i got it they were going every direction and now most are growing up on their own.

What is a good length to shorten to?

I currently have many smaller jades under a grow light with 6 (4) 10000 & (2) 6500 t5's and I am seeing good progress with new growth.

I will have to look into this more. I have given thought to building a small structure outside in the spring such as a small windowed greenhouse or a stand with a small roof to block some of the rain and wind. Also there are a lot of deer pesky animals around here especially red chipmunks and raccoons and skunks. The problem is I am usually extremely busy in spring and summer until this time of year and im often away for most of the day with little time to myself. Do you have problems with rain or bug issues?

Dave

That sounds like a very good light set-up (better than mine).

Depending on your vision for the plant, you could prune out a little or a lot.

Personally, I prefer branches full of leaves, with less 'empty space'.

I made some marks on one of your photos - very short (red), or bit longer (yellow) or even longer (blue lines). But these are only suggestions; in no way I am an expert in pruning. Hopefully some more ppl will post, and you can find many photos on this forum if you search 'chopping jades' or pruning jades.

I am not afraid to chop off every branch - jades grow really easy; and have done it even during winter.

Great that your ripple-leaved jade flowered - I have couple of similar, but no sign of blooms at all.

Rina

Dave

I have few photos of the roots - 1st photo (excuse the quality!!!pls.) is showing roots as it came out of pot, second is the same root ball somehow pruned; I rinsed all soil off, pruned the roots and let it dry on paper towel before potting (Dec. 7, 2014):

Same plant today:

Answer to your q re: bugs/pests & rain: I had a sheet of plastic attached to a 2x3 fastened over the plant shelve, that I was able to drop down in case of rain. But I needed to do that only few times when it was raining for few days non-stop. I generally don't worry about rain (that is most of the watering my succulents receive :), all my plants are potted in mix of grit+perlite+turface and drain very well. If using GH of any size, be careful in summer - it could get very hot very fast and cook your plants.

Jades don't seem to have bug issues. I didn't have any snail/slug attacks (some ppl do, especially in humid areas). I do have few plants that have bite (!) marks from either a chipmunk, squirrel or maybe mouse...but nothing serious. And lucky enough that raccoons didn't visit either, or dear or voles (there are some in the area).

Dave, when I said your Crosby's Compact is anything but, what I meant was that your Jade is not compact, because of the etiolation. I kept some of my Jades outside from May to October, with most of the larger ones staying in a south facing window. The ones outside were in full sun, no protection after slowly adapting to it. I had squirrel and groundhog problems early on, but those subsided. And the end result was that two of my Jades bloomed.

Christopher

thank you. that looks great rina. very nice. thank you for all your advice.

It is not the best setup im sure i picked up an inexpensive used light and purchased the bulbs and im needing to pickup a tray of planters to cleanup some of the smaller plants and give me more space for others. ive just been throwing things in spare pots and whatevers available. it is very bright and puts heat on the plants but doesnt seem to get warm on the fixture itself. Im having to heavily mist many of the small plants in trays everyday.

ok so i went for it ... tried to go in the direction id like to make a fuller tree. Left some of the branches as id like to see in a little time if i can continue to straighten them and see how they fill in before making more cuts.

I also trimmed the big crosby a bit to open it up some. doesnt look like a lot but now i have more cuttings than i know what to do with or have space for.

Before

After

I cleared quite a bit away from the bottom also, once these grow some more I might further trim I would like to leave a few of the larger branches and let them grow from the bottom.

Dave

I think you did very well.

What I marked with different colors was just a suggestion, but you could do it with all branches if you decide. Making them shorter will make them grow new branches and these should, with you present light set-up, grow more compact. Your jade is looking better already without those droopy branches.

And same with second plant, looks tidier already. Good you didn't get rid of all lowest branches - that could be done anytime in the future, and in meantime the trunk will get thicker/fatter.

You already may know this and it is hard to tell from the photo: when pruning, cut off close to the 'collar, leaving the part just past it quite short. The cut will callus over time, and the 'scab' will eventually fall of on it's own (sometimes it takes bit longer, but it will happen on it's own). If you leave it too long, there is too much/too long a piece to dry out - it will shrivel, but will take long time. Not sure if you know what I mean...if not, just ask.

Rina

Dave,

I think both look great. Your large jades are very nice, I can't wait to see them a year from now - hope you'll be able to share updates as they progress. I agree it was a great move to keep the very low branches, both to increase trunk taper and to give yourself future options - consider keeping all of the lower branches that are left through summer 2016, and then see where you are.

Daniel

Thank you. I have a grow light on the way that I will be putting the large variegated under and possibly the hacked crosby if theres enough room after im done stuffing some other variegateds under it and a few others.

Ill be changing the bulbs around a bit to have about half 6500 and half 10000 in both. I think the one i have setup right now is a little too much on them most the variegated are really pink and the crosby are getting dark red. Possibly too much light? Should I lower the amount of hours I think its on just a little over 12 now.

just got a few jades the other day Not sure yet if im going to keep them, one looks like it might need help its actually the one i was hoping to keep. Only time will tell i guess. Thinking its been heavily over watered. Im re-potting next week in a gritty mix wondering if i should try to break up some of the roots or wash the dirt off them.

Dave

That last plant have or had some damage, that would be first to check out. Is the trunk firm? If there is any softness, I would check for rot. If there is any, you need to perform surgery.

I would shake off all old soil, helping with a chopstick or something similar. If there is any left sticking to roots, wash off by swishing root ball in bucket with water. Should you find very hard peat over the roots, use tepid water. It is best not to mix different kind of potting mixes (leaving old one may defeat/decrease function of the new mix). Damaged or dead or mushy roots should be cut off. Did you noticed the photo with roots that I trimmed (they were not dead or rotting) - and plant is growing very well.

After, put it on some newspaper or paper towels to dry out, for few hours to few days.

If the damaged part has rot, you need to get rid of it by cutting until no dark spots are visible.

Rina

Thank you Rina. I was worried it was rotted at first but it feels firm. Is it possible it rotted at a time and then healed? I have washed the roots like you advised had to put my hand in the bucket and lightly rub and work some of the dirt off. And I am planning surgery on these two within the next day or so when I find time. Thanks.

Or perhaps I should skip the seperation on the finger jade and remove the damaged section as it is unappealing to the eye. Do you think at these cuts both would have chance of successful growth?

David

Damaged part looks like it rotted, but there could have been some physical injury too. Rot usually spreads thru the plant, but plant may have healed itself. It's good that it isn't soft & squishy, but either way it isn't so great looking. Cuts you suggested are OK if tissue inside is healthy. Should you see any dark/black spots or 'threads', then keep cutting (both places if necessary).

As for separating, I really think it is up to what you prefer. You could keep it as is (after surgery on damaged part) and see what it looks like in summer, or year after. In the meantime, trunks should be thickening and that is always nice on jades.

It is a nice size plant. Couple yellowing leaves will fall off or you can remove them, but that shouldn't alarm you.

Rina

Variegated jade--

I am still having an issue with this plant dropping branches, they seem to be snapping and falling off. And I have put the many fallen ones in trays to root along with other cuttings I have. My other cuttings are rooting great under the light but these pieces falling off just continue to break when handled and wont take root.

I unpotted the large variegated and swished and swirled the roots in warm water twice even place a bucket in the sink and tryed to loosen the soil with the sprayer. pretty rootbound, any other way to loosen more of it?

And the other side where I sliced through the roots and separated the large branch growing on the side.

Is it best to let these sit for a few days unpotted under the grow light until dry before re potting

alright, thank you everyone for the help so far yet the problems continue. The plant has been under grow lights since splitting the two branches each with good amounts of roots. Though several branches seem to be suffering still drooping and not responding to light and breaking to the touch. All the cuttings will not take root the stems seem to break or shrivel then they will root from green below the leaves but not from brown stem. I dont know why the branches are snapping off, when they do it appears green.

I just pulled the largest piece back from pot to try and get a bit more of the caked on soil away from roots which is difficult. It does appear some of the bottom of the large main branch is soft im guessing rotted.

Some pics

I cut off a small piece that was soft at at this branch/root and it is like a fleshy white?

thank you rina. unfortunately the grow light area is the only lighted space i have available at this time no room in front of the window and certainly dont want to infect any of my healthy growing jades.

Im becoming a bit devastated i thought these white roots looked to be healthy uptop but ive made a few slices and it is very white and dark no sign of green.

Should i continue at cutting the remaining roots off?? Im worried to do so, if the branches wont root do you think this trunk will I hate to lose something this size.

should i remove any of the small pieces at the top?

and this white/pink is that still no good do I want to see just green like a fresh cutting? if so i think i will have to cut away all roots. I dont see any black the spots in photo are dirt.

Dave

The white - pink - green should be healthy tissue. Rot looks dark, even black and appears often as spots or like threads running thru the stem.

Let it sit for a day or two, it doesn't need any light at this point.

Did you try the 'squeeze' test?

I had luck with dusting the large cuts on jades with cinnamon powder. Just light dusting. I didn't try it on variegated jade, and do it only on large cuts - cinnamon has antifungal properties.

If you think that there are very few roots left, you could remove few small branches from the top, ones that are breaking and/or are limp.

Rina

Thank you so very much to everyone that has answered and helped me out with some of my non-stop questions. Most due to my own stressful nature Im sure.

**** Both of the crosby compacts I recently trimmed are showing much new growth everywhere. Which makes me happy to see them doing well. I recently just trimmed a bit more from the largest to open a little space between some of the branches. I am left with many various sized cuttings and leaves(which i tend to throw away the singular leaves) I know the weather isnt the best but I would be happy to send a bunch to those that have been generous to me for price of flat rate shipping or actual if its cheaper for as much as i can fit in or what you would prefer.