How to Grow and Care for the Variegated Jade Plant (Huayuejin) Succulent
The variegated jade plant (Huayuejin) is a variety introduced into China from abroad. It is now widely distributed across China, and can be seen in many places. Its appearance is very attractive, which is why many consumers buy it to grow at home. However, before growing it, you need to have an in-depth understanding of its cultivation techniques.
How to Grow the Variegated Jade Plant Succulent
1. Repotting: Repot every year in early spring. For the potting soil, choose a mix of fertile garden soil and coarse sand, and add a small amount of base fertilizer (bone meal). When repotting, prune or pinch back the plant according to its growth condition if it has grown too tall, to keep the plant compact.
2. Watering: During the growing season of the variegated jade plant, water once a week to keep the potting soil slightly moist. At other times, water once every 2-3 weeks. Do not water too much, otherwise the plant will grow leggy, affecting its shape and leaf color.
3. Fertilizing: Fertilize once a month with diluted cake fertilizer water or a special succulent fertilizer. Do not fertilize in winter.
4. Light: During the high-temperature and strong-light period in summer, provide appropriate shade. In spring and autumn, carry out normal care. When there is plenty of sunlight and a large temperature difference, the leaf edges will turn red.
5. Pests and diseases: The common pests and diseases of the variegated jade plant are anthracnose and scale insects. Keep the plant in a ventilated place and use appropriate pesticides for control.
Cultivation Methods for the Variegated Jade Plant
1. Light and temperature: The new variegated jade plant likes a sunny, dry and ventilated environment. Spring and autumn are its growing seasons, with an optimum growing temperature of 15-22°C. In winter, control watering; it can tolerate short periods of 0°C low temperatures. Maintain sufficient light and avoid strong light exposure. In summer, provide appropriate shade. Potted plants should be placed in a well-ventilated environment for care, avoiding stuffiness. When grown outdoors, also prevent heavy rain from washing over it and prolonged rain that makes the potting soil too wet.
2. Water and fertilizer management. During the growing season, follow the principle of “do not water until dry, and water thoroughly when you do”, to avoid water accumulating in the potting soil and causing root rot. When it is cold in winter, restrict watering and keep the plant in a place with sufficient light. During the growing season, fertilize once a week. The fertilizer should be decomposed dilute liquid fertilizer or compound fertilizer. Stop fertilizing in winter. In cold conditions, the variegated jade plant grows slowly; do not let it remain in a state of nutrient saturation, as this can easily cause root rot. Flowering season: the flowering season of the variegated jade plant is autumn. The flowers are star-shaped and white, elegant and fresh.
Precautions for the Variegated Jade Plant
1. Common pests and diseases. The main insect pests of the variegated jade plant are scale insects, red spider mites, white spider mites and root-knot nematodes. For scale insects, systemic alkaloid insecticides such as carbofuran can be used; for red spider mites and white spider mites, acaricides such as kelmaine and kelmaine-plus can be used; for root-knot nematodes, carbofuran granules can be used to kill them. The main diseases are root rot and stem rot caused by poor potting soil permeability and water accumulation. If this occurs, cut off the rotten parts, let them dry for a week or longer, and after the wounds are dry, plant them in new culture soil so they can re-root.
2. Repotting. Note that the variegated jade plant needs repotting once every 2 years, carried out in spring or autumn. The potting soil should be loose and breathable, with good drainage performance. When repotting, be careful to protect the root system.
Propagation Methods for the Variegated Jade Plant
1. Leaf cuttings. To propagate the variegated jade plant by leaf cuttings, twist off healthy, mature, plump, pest-free fleshy leaves and place them flat or insert them at an angle in the soil, so that the base of the leaf is in full contact with the soil. In about 20-30 days they will root and sprout. After these small shoots grow a little larger, remove them and plant them in pots.
2. Stem cuttings. Cuttings of the variegated jade plant are taken during the growing season. This is often done together with pruning. For stem cuttings of the variegated jade plant, cut healthy, plump top branches as cuttings; the length requirement is not strict. Let them dry for about 2 days, and after the wounds are dry, insert them in the soil.
As long as you have mastered the cultivation methods for the variegated jade plant, it is relatively simple to carry out, generally involving aspects such as light, soil, fertilizer and water. When growing it, you also need to pay attention to pest and disease problems in the variegated jade plant, and detect and solve them promptly. Only in this way can it grow well.