Just looking at the base of the stem in the very last photo: Mealy bugs, maybe? Fill a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and spray the plants. Repeat several times over the course of a couple of weeks to get any eggs that survived to hatch, and keep your eyes open for them in the future.

Thank you for the response. I have searched and searched several times for mealy bugs but can't find a single one. Is that typical? The white powdery stuff is very dust like, almost like a thin sugary film and has a silvery quality to it.

Those are very nice plants. Hope you can help them:)

The white powdery stuff could be salts deposits, or perhaps powdery mildew or mealy bugs.

Salts deposits happen when there is too much watering and too much fertilizers. It could also happen because of the water quality. If that is the case, I would make sure that next time plant is watered, it is flushed thoroughly with just plain water - rain water is usually better. Let potting mix dry up between watering, succulents do not need to be wet constantly.

Hoovb recommended spraying with rubbing alcohol - that is a good approach if there are any bugs. It will not hurt your plant, just keep it out of direct sun while wet. It will dry up quite fast. I would try this first as described - even if there are no bugs, it will not harm the plant.

If it is fungal (powdery mildew or other), you may have to use fungicide. I can't tell for sure if it is fungus of any kind.

If your plants are loosing many leaves, they could be either too wet or too dry. Too much water will cause leaves turn yellowish color, plump and then shrivel and fall off. Leaves are almost transluscent color. If too dry, they also shrivel, but usually start getting brownish & dry color.

I would not add bonsai mix and potting mix - IMO, that is too organic and it may not drain that well. Larger bonsai mix (I assume it is) will have all spaces between particles filled with finer potting mix, defeating it's purpose. It would be better to add sifted perlite and/or grit or pumice to keep particles larger. Try to make that kind of mix for plant B and see if there is a difference. Personally, I prefer very gritty mix without any organic particles (or very, very little amount of small bark).

BTW, is there a drainage hole in all your containers? Even if you are sure you are not over-watering, it does look like water problem. But I am only looking at the photos...Containers are quite large/deep, and hold lots of potting mix. How do you know it is mostly dry deep in the pot & it is time to water?

rina_ Thank you so very much! Yes there are drainage holes in all containers. I have been wondering if there is too much soil for the jade that was re-potted (Jade A) but the bottom third of the pot is filled with gravel. I am thinking I should re-pot it once again, and based on your suggestion (after I inspect roots for rot) replace with succulent soil and sifted perlite. Do you suggest a 50/50 mix of succulent soil and perlite? Also I have read about leaving a "stick" inserted in the soil as a method to see if soil is wet or not, and an indication of when to water. (Thinking something like a kabob skewer might be long enough.) Do you have an opinion on that?

I will also definitely spray both with rubbing alcohol as suggested. I don't want to lose these! Thank you again, so grateful for your help!

I cannot tell you how happy I am to read your comments! I will still spray with rubbing alcohol just in case since it sounds like that would not be damaging, but will wait it out to see if things improve. Will also move in front of window. :) Thank you SO much!

Where do you live, by the way? Usually getting salts at that quantity on the plant means the pot hasn't been flushed through in a long time or it's been in the same soil for years and years. Maybe decades, depending from where you got it.

I agree with ewwmayo, repotting is always a shock, as well as the change in temperature, lighting, humidity etc. from the nursery where it came from. All of these factors can cause leaf drop. In my opinion you will only further set back the plant by repotting again. I would wait at least a couple months to give the plant time to recover. It will be okay short-term with the soil you have it in, just be extra careful with water. As for jade b you can repot with the mixture Rina suggested, but don't be surprised if it drops a few leaves also. Jades are very resilient and they will bounce back in no time at all.

From the OP comments, it seems to be quite recent purchase, so who really knows what conditions plants were grown in. In stores, they often sit in water for prolonged periods of time. I agree with eww that it would take a long time for salts build up.

IMO, if the plant is suffering because of the potting mix, it is better to repot. What was the original soil like when you took plant A out of it? Most important is to make sure they are not sitting in moist soil for too long.

Thank you again to everyone giving advice!

I live in Michigan. I purchased both jades at a small nursery/greenhouse that is attached to the back of a family owned market. I go to this market a couple of times a month, and I contemplated purchasing these jades since the beginning of the summer. After Christmas I saw that they were still there, (completely surprising to me) and I made the purchase. So, I know they were there for at least 6 months. I do think the powdery film was probably there when I purchased them, but not 100% sure on that. I wanted both of them to get used to the environment of my home so I didn't do much to them at first except sit them near my west and north facing windows. (I don't have any appropriate south or east facing windows.) It wasn't until the leaves started dropping that I discovered the white powder.

The soil from "Jade A" was in what I would say average potting soil, with some lava rocks sprinkled on the top. The soil was too wet in my opinion. I think the employees of the greenhouse water everything the same way whether the plant is a succulent or tropical.

At what point should I assume re-potting is crucial? I feel like leaves are dropping at a record pace. Every day there are at least 15 leaves that have dropped or fall of with the slightest touch. I definitely don't want to add stress but I am concerned if I do nothing that could be just as bad.

Thank you again!

I would be concerned if the leaves are ..."dropping at a record pace"... 15 leaves a day is too much, I don't loose that many in a 6 months or even longer - just what is normal for older leaves to fall off. There is a chance that roots may be rotted off, or the rot is attacking the stem. I am not trying to alarm yo for no reason, just going by what you say.

If my plant, I would take it out of the soil. Inspect roots, trim off any diseased or damaged. If root ball is damp, I would let it sit on something absorbent to wick more moisture out. After, I would pot it in very gritty mix, keep it warm (some bottom heat may help) and not water immediately. Any potential shock from repotting is most likely less dangerous than possible rot.

There is one thing I am wondering about: when you purchased the plant, is there a chance that it got too cold and maybe frost bitten when transporting it home?

Jade "A" is stunning

Thank you rina_ !

I am pretty certain the cold air did not get to it. I had my car warmed up and was parked just steps from the nursery/market door.

Yes I agree that 15 leaves a day is way too much! I am really leaning towards re-potting. If it keeps losing leaves the way it has, it will be completely bare in a few weeks. :( If I do re-pot, I will absolutely use a very gritty mix and maybe a small light underneath to help to keep it warm (great idea, thanks). I know to look for white roots, and remove any that are black or slimy. One thing I am wondering... how do I "flush" it?

Thank you hellkitchenguy Manuel. I hope I can save Jade A so it remains stunning!

What do the leaves look like when they are falling off? Photo preferred of the leaf on the plant rather than removed. That will give hints on what is going on here.

For any leaves that are looking like they will fall, leave them there as they will do more good attached than gone. If they are being absorbed for water, they will eventually become very shriveled, dry, and almost crystalline. Then it's time to take them off.

It's tempting to get very hands-on with my succulents, but some careful observation and thought is usually more productive. It's very quick to pull something off, but then it can take quite some time to grow back!

As long as it's not rotting or over watered, you should have time to learn a bit about soils and get the right ingredients for your mix. Decide if you want to use normal soil with perlite or go with a gritty mix. For sure a good mix will go a long way and that is recommended.

In my opinion, it's far worse to pot again in a bad mix and have to do it all over again a couple weeks later, especially since it's winter and cold outside. Spending time to do it right is worthwhile. Lots of people here post photos of their mix before committing to a lot of repotting.

Taking photos during repotting is also very helpful. I do this myself often to keep track of what the root condition was. Then if I have any problems I can go back and get an idea what could have caused it. Along with the mix I used if I think I will forget.

Your jade is so large that even if you stopped watering it today indoors in Michigan, I think it would alive and be fine even until summer. Guess what I'm saying is as long as it's not rotting/soft/squisy and the pot is not totally full of wet muck in the bottom then you have time to figure this out.

I was looking at your photos again, and see what may be scale; I circled couple in red:

Flushing the soil should be done later since I suspect that plant may have been sitting in wet soil. I wouldn't do it now.

Thank you so much ewwmayo and rina_! I am at work right now but will upload a few more pics tonight. I feel less panicked after reading your comments. I am hoping there will be fewer fallen leaves when I get home. The sun is out today and I have moved both jades directly under the west window. I will also test those brown spots for scale asap. I really hope it isn't scale!

Jade Jade88 I have nothing to add you have been given great advice by very knowledgeable people, but this I must say you truly have beautiful jades.

Hello again! Thank you all so much for helping me! So today there were only 8 fallen leaves... I would call this an improvement, however I know if I fussed with "Jade A" even the slightest bit, more would fall. Sorry the lighting is not so great but here is a picture of the fallen leaves. I am however, happy to report that the Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol didn't dissolve anything on the branches from what I see... so I am pretty certain the brown dots are not scale insects. :)

Jade - Hard to tell with that light! Hate to ask... but can you retake those in 'normal' light? Haha. Usually there is a big difference between a firmer pale yellow leaf vs a mush 'vomit yellow' colour. Former would be natural drying and latter would be over watered. Based on the top left leaf I think it's natural drying and stress.

ewwmayo yes I thought the same thing, too hard to tell. Will take new pics this afternoon. I will be home hopefully before sundown today and will have daylight for pics. The leaves are definitely not mushy or super light. In fact, often the leaves look plump, dark green and healthy but just fall off at the slightest touch. The leaves that are in the pic from last night had fallen on the floor, not from me touching it. I am going to try to keep my hands off to see if that also helps.

To be continued...

you are already getting great advice, so I'm just here to admire. I agree with Manuel, jade A very attractive. Good potential for bonsai development, which is my interest.

ez

Hello again

So another day and more fallen leaves. I have attached another picture. I don't think I can stand it anymore. I have to inspect all of the roots and re-pot. I hope I am not making a mistake! Thank you all so much for all of the advice thus far. I will post the progress and hopefully, regardless of the outcome, it will help someone else as well. :)

Moving the plants can cause shock that leads to leaf drop. If you continue to have leaf drop after a few weeks then I would have concern. Both plants look pretty good, provide as much light as possible and keep on dry side, I think you well be fine.

I would expect leaf drop but this seems excessive...no?

Considering the total number of leaves on the plant it is a very low percentage. Example, I just received a new start with 15 leaves, it has been in soil about two weeks now and is perking up and looks great. It did drop the 3 lowest leaves, or 20% of the total.

I also think putting both pots in front of the window is a shock. I would have left them between the windows where you had them to begin with.

Jade, I am in Michigan. If you are in Ann Arbor, would you please just write the name of the grocery story so I can see if they have more. I LOVE your plants.

Sorry to disagree with Pat: I also think putting both pots in front of the window is a shock. I would have left them between the windows where you had them to begin with.

That corner was too dark for jades. They like lots of light and will grow much better in front of the window. Unless they were in very dark conditions for a while and are moved suddenly into very sunny spot (I do not believe that is possible in winter, in Michigan), there should be no problem. Moving plants into strong sunlight from indoors could cause sunburn, and plants should be acclimatized. I believe Steven meant moving the plants from place to place - like from a store, where it sat for a while, to a house...Some plants will respond by dropping many leaves when location is changed (ficus Benjamina is known for doing that). Personally, I do not have that experience with jades. And I move them around a lot.

Hi Pat!

Ann Arbor is such a great city I frequent it often! The store/greenhouse I bought these jades from is called Colasantis. They are in Highland...about 45 minutes from Ann Arbor. It is a hit or miss kind of place, but when they are stocked up they have GREAT plants! Another great nursery, about another 15 minutes away from there is Bogie Lake Greenhouse in White Lake. They carry unusual succulents - not a huge selection but I always want to purchase something there! They are closed right now until March. Are there any greenhouses in Ann Arbor or surrounding areas that you like?

Thanks for your advice! :)

Hi, Jade88, unfortunately the days of real greenhouses are almost gone, having been replaced with the likes of Home Depot and Lowes. Sugaro might still be up near 23 and North Territorial Road but I wouldn't swear to it. Arbor Farms used to have some nice bonsai in the summer.

I will find Colasantis in Highland this spring -- thank you so much for that tip. Your jades are gorgeous!!! The very best to you.

Hi Pat;

Thanks so much. My "Jade A" is still shedding leaves, I just hope the leaf shedding stops soon and replacement growth starts!

Thanks also for info on greenhouses. You are so right, there seem to be few left anymore. I will see if Sugaro is still around. :)