How to Propagate a Gollum Jade? A Few Common Methods to Teach You

The scientific name of the Gollum jade is Crassula ovata 'Gollum', a succulent grown mainly for its foliage. It stays evergreen all year round and makes an excellent potted ornamental for offices, living rooms and balconies. It is native to Natal Province in South Africa and was later introduced into China as an ornamental plant. So how is the Gollum jade propagated?

1. How to Propagate a Gollum Jade

The main propagation methods for the Gollum jade are leaf cuttings, stem cuttings and air layering. The usual way of separating a part is the beheading method, that is, cutting off a portion from the mother plant. Beheading can be done all year round; just let the wound dry, then insert the cutting into slightly moist soil and wait for it to root.

For leaf cuttings, twist off a mature, healthy tubular leaf from the middle or lower part of the plant and insert its base at a slight angle into the medium; coarse sand sterilised with boiling water can be used as the leaf-cutting medium. Create a natural, bright, indirect light environment to reduce water loss from the leaf cutting. Roots usually appear in two to three weeks, after which it can be transplanted.

For stem cuttings, cut a healthy, thick stem, removing the lower leaves first before cutting. The best time for cuttings is spring or autumn. Insert the cut stem into coarse sand sterilised with boiling water in the same way as for leaf cuttings, taking care to provide shade and water. It is best to soak the cutting in rooting solution after cutting; roots usually form in two to three weeks as well, and it can be transplanted once the root system is well established.

Air layering makes use of the aerial roots that grow on the mother plant's stem by bringing them into contact with soil. Soak a propagation block in water, then cut it open without cutting it fully through, and wrap it around the part with aerial roots. Wrap it tightly in a dark or black plastic bag and secure it, replenish water with a syringe, and later add a small amount of diluted liquid fertiliser when topping up the water. The layer can usually be separated from the mother plant in 2 to 3 months.

2. Care Methods for the Gollum Jade

1. Use a loose, breathable, light, acidic soil such as leaf mould or peat soil for cultivation.

2. Apart from providing appropriate shade in summer, it can receive full sun in all other seasons.

3. In winter, water when temperatures are above 5 degrees; stop watering below 5 degrees, otherwise it is very prone to cold damage.

4. Apply a complete organic fertiliser once a month, or mix a complete slow-release fertiliser into the soil when potting up.

5. Depending on how it grows, it can be repotted once every few years, with the pot diameter 2 to 3 cun larger than the plant's diameter.

The above are the main propagation and care methods for the Gollum jade. When caring for a Gollum jade, be sure to give it plenty of care and patience.