Can you give us a pic of the entire plant, or at least one that shows us the root system please? There doesn't appear to be much of a rootball there, maybe just the pic that doesn't show it. Roots also 'seem to be' in bad condition so a better view is important for anyone to see and advise. Is the branch now cut off flush with the main trunk, pic is taken at an angle that's hard to tell if there's more branch to cut off? What type of mix was it grown in?

Gill

There seems to be still some black in the stem - flesh should be all that creamy-green color, no dark marks or spots or 'circles'. What was it potted in - the soil & pot?

thanks for your reply!!

It's indoor- the pot is 8" in diameter. I think it's the correct size. I know they like smaller pots. When I took the plant out of the pot- some of the roots broke off.

The jade was a gift 4 years ago and I haven't done anything to it. Went I took it out of the pot- it was in soil with lava rocks on the bottom. I bought some succulent/cactus soil, perlite and vermiculite when it's ready to re-pot. Is that what is reccomended?

Tell me about the branch you cut off. Did you investigate (slice piece by piece) to see how far up the rot went? That may give you a hint about the main trunk.

I have had this happen with plants, too. Oddly, I sometimes found that the trunk was not soft even though rot was present.

The slice you made still shows brown spots. You really must remove all of that as Rina said. I usually cut until I find clean tissue, then make one more cut to be sure. You are going to end up with 2 trees, maybe 3 if you still have the other branch.

I understand your not wanting to cut more, but at this point, you really have no root system. So cutting the bottom to be rid of rot will not be changing that.

So it was in standard potting soil? The pot it was in...was there drainage? You said it was soil with lava rock at the bottom, I'm wondering if that was done to attempt to make up for lack of drainage. As far as the media you'll use when repotting, vermiculite isn't really suggested as it tends to break down. CS soil cut 50/50 with perlite will do. I use a mix of one part CS soil, 2 parts poultry grit, 2 parts aquarium gravel as that's what I have available here in the city I live. It works well. My jades and their root systems are wicked strong.

Gill & Crenda are right on.

8" pot sounds too large. It is not that they like smaller pots. The big pot is not necessary, and makes watering - in water retaining soil - more of the problem. Big pot = lots of soil = better chance of overwatering. For so much soil, the plant will sit in a 'muck' for too long, I suspect that's what happened to your plant.

Forget the vermiculite (return it if you can - it is nor very good soil amendment).

If you have to use C&S soil, please use a small amount of it (20, max 30%) and amend with grit & perlite. Many ppl mix it 50/50, but to make it better draining, decrease soil portion (especially if you have 'heavy hand' with watering can, as I used to too :)

Vermiculite helps to retain water in a mix (the opposite of what one wants here), so that's why one would not want to use it for succulents.

All good advice above. If it were mine, since more cutting of trunk means almost total destruction of what you have built, I would take my chances where the plant is now and not cut anything else. If it continues to rot, buy a new big one with lesson learned. The only other option is to make two trees of it, and cut up from the trunk until no sign of rot discoloration.

After four years in a reasonably sized pot, good soil and proper care, you should expect to be root bound by now.

I hope it survives, b/c it has very nice branch structure which takes a long time to develop.

ez

It looks like there is plenty of trunk left - IMO, it is better to get rid of all rot. If you leave any, it will just continue (likely). (Ez, sorry to disagree :)

I would cut it above the cut/cinnamon dusted part - am I correct that the cut you showed before is that one? You'll end up with 2 pretty nice-trunked pieces.

It is very etiolated, you need to do something about light. Is there a chance of keeping it outdoors?

Look at this current thread: http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/4071949/late-summer-jades-2016?n=28 for many photos of compact growth, that's what good light does.

Thanks my gardening friends! I think the original owner put the lava rock as a form of draining. It definitely was in the wrong medium. If I cut it up- i keep cutting until there is zero brown in that ring? Then what is next? At what point to I replant in the proper mix of soil (I will not use the vermiculite)? I will have two trees- but can i plant them in the same small pot? How down do I plant the trunk?

I really appreciate all your help!

Gill- to answer your question- everything remaining isn't soft at all- very sturdy!