Jade Tree 2 year progress/Help me prune!
Hi there,
I acquired an old jade tree a year and, because it was so etiolated, decided to cut it back to a few main limbs. I don't have a picture of the plant as I received it, but for anyone interested, there are a handful of pictures throughout the following thread that lead up to me ultimately lopping every branch off:
http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/3086507/large-jade-advice?n=31
I'm very pleased with my decision to do that, as over the last couple years, it has grown in quite nicely. I'm at the point now where I think I need to do some more whacking and would like the advice of the far-more-knowledgeable folks on this forum.
As you can see, the top is quite bushy (PIC E & F). There is some strong growth on the lower limbs, but as you get closer to the trunk, the growth is a bit weak (likely due to the top section blocking light and sucking up nutrients). Pictures are below. What do you advise cutting?
PIC A:
PIC B:
PIC C:
PIC D:
PIC E:
PIC F:
I am thinking of cutting these as a way to introduce more light to the bottom branches. Also, the branch in the second pic appears too long before it first splits. The red depicts what I would potentially cut, and the yellow is what I believe would receive more light as a result. Sound logic? Should I cut even more from the top (or whack it all)?
Thanks for any and all advice!
Comments (13)
7 years ago- 7 years ago
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Comments (8)So its been a couple months now since I pruned my Pachira. I'd recently ran into computer issues an have been unable to post photos but things seem to be working now. These aren't the most recent photos...wow, I just looked at the date and I took these on the 28th of May. I will definitely post newer photos possible tomorrow or next week. The prune job was a success! New growth is beautiful and flourishing! The one down fall to my prune job is that I didn't prune as far down as I should have, as you can see in the 3rd photo. I was afraid that new growth would not growth from the stems that were already hard with bark....but maybe next time I'll chop more....we'll see. Josh, here's a better shot of the pot you liked. Ours are very similar! I do like how yours is rounded at the base though, very nice. Thanks for looking! Ashley...See MoreJade Tree Pruning Help Needed
Comments (11)OH MY GOSH! The jealousy is pulsing through me right now. Ditto on above. If your weather is dry right now, I doubt you'd have any trouble with any disease on the cut parts and they'd callous quickly. I don't know about rooting hormone, but I usually use a fungicide powder. Most rooting hormones have fungicide in them. I would think you could go up as high as you wanted to go. Please post follow up pics. You may need a fine saw to get the bigger branches off though. There are two different theories about how to cut something like that. If you cut about an inch away from the branch, the piece left on would rot and fall off (at least it does on a smaller version). Others would say, if you want a smooth trunk, you would cut close to the trunk and actually scoop out a little of the flesh of the main trunk so that when it heals over and forms the bark it will be smooth. If you cut it flush with the trunk and don't carve an indent in it, most trees will callous over and leave a knot on the tree. Sometimes that gives it character though. These are all bonsai theories, but I would think it would hold true of a larger tree as well. Whatever you do, please post follow up pics. I can't wait to see what happens. I don't know if you have enough friends or an e-Bay account but you could make a small fortune on these cuttings. Don't sell them like others, for a fortune, that is. I paid $18 for an 18 inch cutting with a 1 1/2 inch diameter trunk. Many people would fiend over that stuff, especially for bonsai enthusiast. I'd buy one, that's for sure....See MorePlease help me "Bonsai" my Jade Tree
Comments (7)During summer and depending on how you sun it The prior cut ( with the longer nub ) will probably harden off during summer and decrease the chances of newer growth. If me I'd let the bottom growth stay on and all the single leaf growth as long as possible. In a sense to say allow the smaller new growth to continue growing to help fill in the sling shot look. Also If your handy with wiring wait until the bring in time (fall) and wire the older growth in the more desired shape you want Tip : I water first wait two days then wire for easier bending of thicker branches. Tip two : At this time of the year older tired leaf drop and drying is normal inside in your zone I tend to thumb the discolored dry wrinkled foliage off as soon as possible but I also let older discolored foliage hang on as long as possible.. IMO ( if not already ) place in a nice south window, mid window if wide or mid window section if not A. few inches away from window ( 8-12 inches) for a while until it can be bought out. If you bring outside for summer use a slower transition to help new growth to grow . If climate is like late spring though summer last season don't be afraid to yank it back from outside or move it to a late day sun if things become to warm and dry. Uncertain of your indoor lighting but lighting could/ should also be used to enhance the indoor growing. Side note : Not to bad looking on the top tips Rina considering the date stamp in pic and all....See MoreOld Jade plant pruning(?) and other Q's about other jade plants
Comments (6)NP, they are showing now. Pretty good looking plants. 1st needs support because it has big branches growing bit 'wildly' (that is not a criticism :), one I can see is too much to the side. Not a problem, you can just prune one off, or prune some of the smaller branches off to make it more balanced. I am only looking at the photo - but think I would prune off the left branch and the lowest big branch. When repotting, I would get original plant into more upright position. Just a suggestion... As jades get bigger, you should decide what shape you want them to grow into. That is personal preference - I like one thick stem/trunk (that's why I said to prune extra branches off). Once you decide, pruning in early spring will help to keep plants balanced and grow the way you like. Variegated jade looks like 'Tricolor' (but I can't see it clearly), and they are as easy to propagate from leaves as green ones. Sometimes they revert to all green, but will grow. They just grow bit slower in my experience. But plant is very small, and you should grow it bigger before taking leaves on - they feed the plant and help it grow. I have many grown from leaves and also from stem cuttings. The colorful plant is probably sedum and could be propagated very easily from leaves or stem cuttings....See MoreRelated Professionals
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- 7 years ago
@greenman28 Thanks, Josh. I'm concerned that the lower branches are a bit etiolated. Are you suggesting I just let them be for the time being?
I ultimately want the plant to take on a shape similar to the picture below:
- 7 years agolast modified: 7 years ago
moon
I would advice you to study some books on bonsai. Josh is more experienced in growing great looking jades, pls. listen to him. And maybe Al (tapla) will find some time off to give you some guidance. There are certain techniques to be used to get plant growing certain way. I am not qualified to give advice on that...
I am not sure if you could have similar looking trunk if you just let plant grow as is. Trunk is too long - but you could (when you know more about bonsai!) chop it...I recently did that with C.o. Tricolor; plant was about 20" tall (?), it is now 8" tall. It is a long-term project, and I believe you could have similar looking tree one day. Anyway, that's all I would say about bonsai.
I have this one that has trunk tapering slightly (btw, there are 3 branches, 3rd one is not visible; should have taken photo from different angle):
and quite a few more with trunks very similar to yours. I am leaving lowest branches on, they will be eventually - in a year or two - cut off but in the meantime provide more food for lower parts (I think...) and help it to get thicker (I hope!):
(Do not mind the strays in above photo! :)
Don't rush - it is easy to cut off any branch, it takes much longer for one to grow.
moonlitexile thanked rina_Ontario,Canada 5a - 7 years ago
- 7 years ago
- 7 years agolast modified: 7 years ago
7 years ago- 7 years ago
hellkitchenguy Manuel