Why does my Crassula tri-color jade barely have any variegation?
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What's ailing my tri-color jade?
Comments (11)Well- it's hot and humid again today. 92, feels like 98 with 60% humidity. I'm sure my jades are enjoying it as much as I am - not much - but I guess that's called summer. I may have been impatient with the plant I had previously checked and repotted. It does have a couple of new roots starting. The other ailing plant did not appear to have any! Both are in smaller pots and are relaxing in bright shade. I think I can move them inside by an east window, but I'll have to check the light since those windows are recessed about a foot and will be getting hurricane shutters put on them soon. My south windows get too hot. They are in a 1-1-1 mix of turface, fir bark and perlite - all sifted and washed. So now I'll leave them alone and hope for the best! Thanks for the help!...See MoreEnthusiastic and Ignorant Seeks Crassula/Jade Expertise
Comments (13)Thanks for the tips zzini! Josh, can you explain screening? I assume that is to remove fine particles and thus improve drainage... but I may be way off. Norma, I was also hoping you'd stop by. I'm hanging onto every word you guys tell me. I'm aware of your experience, and would gleefully read a book all about your experiences raising jades. Write away! Do you lower the ratio of bark to decrease water retention? And to more accurately replicate their natural environment? I imagine for optimal growth, you can makeup for any lost macronutrients with fertilizer. I live in nearly the most northwest corner of the lower 48 (Bellingham, WA). There is plenty of granite here. My proximity to the ocean keeps it more temperate here than some nearby areas, as well. Does "pinch" simply mean "cut"? Always right above the growth nodes? Two last questions for you guys: What are the foliage signs that differentiate between overwatering and underwatering (with jades)? Especially relevant when purchasing plants. Also- as far as portulacaria afra soil mix, should that be the same? I was thinking more bark/organic material to increase water retention. What do you think? Thank you!! Gray...See MoreMy fertilized Crassula x 'Maruba Nishiki' Jade grew like crazy!
Comments (21)Wow Mike...that is some awesome growth! Great job, Congrats! I've definitely never had that type of growth on any of my Jades before especially this time of year. That is one beautiful Jade, the colors are so pretty! Thanks for posting! Hey Josh!...See MoreMy Collection of Jades - Crassula Ovatas so far (Need ID Help too!!)
Comments (28)Thanks Erica!! Jades weren't always the top of my priority in my collection, but once they are established, they are very beautiful and faithful growers. Unyieldingly showing great colors and shapes. The variegated breeds are much more tender, I still keep them under lights. When they burn, they really sulk for months. All the photos were taken this past weekend, so to answer your question, these are all their current state now. I believe the 'Red Horn Tree' can get even redder with colder temps and higher light. I think mine has quite a while to go.. This is how mine looks during the winter when I first got it. What is your more moisture retentive mix? I have a similar issue with my 'Skinny Finger' jade and my 'Break Dancer' jade. Now I lose the bark, and I replace it with rich loam, pumice and growstones. So my mix comprises of Turface, Grit, Pumice, Growstones and Loam (I love the fox farm ones). If I want it to retain more moisture, I just add more loam and turface. Almost immediately I see the jades react faster and hold tighter in the new mix. In the winter, since most of my plants were under lights, I kept them in nursery trays, and I water the tray every few days when its bone dry - because we usually have the heater on. The bottom watering method works really well on cuttings as it encourages the roots to dig deeper, and at the same time it doesn't wet the surface soil causing rot at the stem. If you have some budget, try investing in a seedling mat and do the bottom watering method - give bright filtered light (aka behind a window is good enough). My cuttings grow relatively well when all these conditions are ideal. btw - I went to theBrooklyn Botanical Garden Sale, it was MAYHEM! Even on the members day. There weren't much C&S in general, but if you love plants, there were an array of collections. My highlight was seeing a couple drag home the massive $40 jade plant and a couple of giant cacti....See MoreLilika(7A)
6 years agoLilika(7A)
6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoLilika
It does look like Tricolor, but it seems to be quite dark green. I find Tricolor to grow just a little slower than C. ovata - 'regular' jade, so 2mo doesn't seem to be much problem. I probably jumped the gun wondering if it could be something different...If it was, Margaret and/or Gill would have most likely see it :)
If it is getting pink color, it probably is getting enough light. OTOH, I have some small plants, growing from leaves - they were not super fast to start growing, but seem to be growing faster now. And some, that are growing all green, have darker green color, similar to your plant. I am not sure if you can tell difference in size; top photo is Dec. 2/2017 and bottom today, Jan. 16/2018 - so just about 6weeks growth time:
IIRC, these were started end of June or very beg. of July, I found only 1 photo taken on July 22/2017:
Here is another pot, same dates as above:
I have quite a few plants; all cuttings are from the same original plant, or cuttings from those cuttings.
If you are thinking of adding soil, why not to try to mix in some perlite? You can do that by poking close to the sides of pot with a chopstick or similar thinner stick.
Lilika(7A) thanked rina_Ontario,Canada 5aLilika(7A)
6 years agorina_Ontario,Canada 5a
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoI wouldn't be surprised if some new leaves were more variegated, I see quite a bit of variance in variegation on same plant. Here is one that grows few whitish leaves:
and look at these 3 - some are much more green:
Many get lots of pink/purplish color in good light, indoors or outside:
As I pointed out, all are from the same plant.
Maybe you just worry too much? Watch it less (easy to say, right??? :) and all of sudden you'll see it has grown...watched pot never boils as the saying goes.
As for soil, one can grow plants well in many soils - some will just require much more attention when watering. Many ppl make 1:1 mix of C&S soil and coarse perlite. I have too many plants (IMO!) to water them differently or keep checking [or am just lazy -:( ], so I grow them in very grainy soils, and just water all at the same time.
Lilika(7A)
6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago
greenclaws UK, Zone 8a