The latest cultivation methods and precautions for the jade plant
The jade plant is also known as the jade tree, glass tree, fleshy evergreen, and so on. It is a succulent subshrub plant of the genus Crassula in the family Crassulaceae. Its crown is tall and elegant, its stems and leaves are emerald green, and it bears white flowers at the tips, making it very elegant and unique. If paired with a pot stand and gravel and made into a small bonsai, the decoration is even more beautiful. If cared for well, it blooms every year; if not, it may not bloom even once in 20 years. Now let us take a look together at the cultivation methods and precautions for the jade plant!
Growth habits of the jade plant
The jade plant is native to southern Africa. It likes a warm, dry, and sunny natural environment, fears strong light, tolerates slight shade, and is not cold-tolerant. The winter temperature must not be lower than 7°C. The growing soil is best as fertile, well-drained sandy loam. The flowering period is late spring and early summer. The tubular flowers are 2 cm in diameter and white or light pink, but the sap of the leaves is toxic.
Propagation methods of the jade plant
The jade plant is often propagated by cuttings, and either softwood branches or leaves can be used for cuttings. This can be done during the growing period, but before inserting, the cuttings need to be dried in the shade. For softwood cuttings, during the growing season, cut off plump softwood branches, let them dry slightly, and insert them into plain sand or sandy soil. After insertion, maintain a certain humidity, and they can take root in 20-30 days. For leaf cuttings, during the growing season, twist off 1-2-year-old leaves from the base, let them dry for 8-10 hours, and insert them into plain sand or sandy soil. It is best to insert them obliquely, with a depth of 1/4-1/3 of the leaf length. After insertion, spray a small amount of clear water, place in a shaded and ventilated place, and keep them slightly moist regularly. They can take root in about 30 days and produce young buds.
Cultivation methods of the jade plant
1. Flower pot: The jade plant can use clay pots, plastic pots, porcelain pots, or ceramic pots. To coordinate with home decor, porcelain pots can be used for cultivation, generally choosing pots with a diameter of 16-28 cm. The north is usually relatively dry, so porcelain pots work well. In the south, clay pots are recommended, because the jade plant is a succulent, and too much accumulated water easily causes black rot.
2. Soil: The jade plant has low soil requirements, and loose, well-drained sandy soil is suitable. Use 5 parts leaf mold, 2 parts garden soil, and 3 parts river sand to prepare the potting soil. It is extremely drought-tolerant and avoids overly wet soil. It likes dry air and relatively dry soil, and avoids moist soil. Wet potting soil easily causes root and stem rot.
3. Watering: During the growth period of the jade plant, keep the potting soil moderately moist regularly. If the potting soil drains poorly and too much water is given, root rot will occur due to water accumulation. If the potting soil is too dry, the weather is stuffy and hot, and the air is not circulating, leaf drop is easily caused. Water volume should be controlled according to temperature. In summer, watering can be appropriately increased, and at the same time pay attention to indoor ventilation and cooling to promote growth. In winter, watering should be controlled, and generally watering once every 7-10 days is enough.
4. Fertilizing: The jade plant has low fertilizer requirements. After new stems grow in spring, begin topdressing. During the growing season, once a month apply decomposed 15-times liquid fertilizer mixed with an equal amount of 1000-times potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution, or 1000-times “Huaduoduo” general-purpose fertilizer. Do not fertilize when summer temperatures are relatively high or winter temperatures are relatively low. When the plant is large, only apply base fertilizer and no topdressing, in order to control height. Base fertilizer can use decomposed soybean cake fertilizer, soybean milk residue, and other organic fertilizers.
5. Temperature and light: The jade plant is relatively shade-tolerant. For home care, it can be placed year-round indoors in a place without direct light, or in a place with bright scattered light. Keep room temperature at 6-10°C. Too high a temperature easily causes leggy growth, leaf drop, or pests and diseases. Low winter temperatures can promote flower bud differentiation. Below 5°C, the plant enters a dormant state.
Four-season management of the jade plant
1. Spring: Jade plant seedlings grow relatively quickly. Repot once a year, and repot established plants once every 2-3 years. Repot when spring temperatures stabilize above 10°C. Stop watering for several days before repotting, so the potting soil dries and the plant can be removed from the pot. Because its branches and leaves are rich in water and easily broken, handle them gently to avoid breaking the plant. After removing from the pot, prune off dead roots and broken roots, let dry for 1-2 days, then plant. After planting, place in semi-shade, do not water for the time being, then water lightly after 2-3 days, keeping the potting soil on the dry side.
2. Summer: The jade plant likes strong light. When summer temperatures are not high, shading is not needed, and an appropriate water supply should be maintained. When placed indoors, maintain a certain amount of light and pay attention to indoor ventilation. When summer temperatures are relatively high (above 35°C), growth is in a stagnant state. Pay attention to controlling water to prevent root rot from too much water at high temperatures, and at the same time shade from the light around noon and stop fertilizing. When temperatures become cool in late summer, fertilizing can continue.
3. Autumn: In autumn, the jade plant should be placed in a place with sufficient light for cultivation. Water after the potting soil dries out. When the weather gradually turns cool, gradually reduce the amount of watering and stop fertilizing, so that the potting soil is dry but not parched. When the temperature drops to about 5°C, promptly move it into a closed balcony or room with light for cultivation.
4. Winter: In winter, the indoor temperature for the jade plant should be kept above 5°C, and growth is in a stagnant state at this time. Potted plants should be placed on a windowsill with sufficient light or in a closed balcony for cultivation. Pay attention to controlling water, so that the potting soil is dry but not parched, and do not fertilize. If conditions permit, the pot can be moved into a warm shed. If conditions do not permit, a plastic film cover can also be used, but pay attention to the humidity inside the cover. If excessive moisture is found, uncover and ventilate in time to prevent leaf rot.
Precautions for the jade plant
1. The jade plant likes a warm, sunny environment and can grow well under indoor scattered light. It avoids direct strong light. In hot summer, exposure to the sun easily causes sunscald, causing leaves to shrink and turn yellow.
2. The jade plant begins to resume growth after spring temperatures rise. Maintain sufficient light and gradually increase the amount of watering. When outdoor temperatures stabilize above 15°C, it can be placed on a balcony with light but without rain for cultivation.
3. During the growth period of the jade plant, watering should be controlled to prevent rot caused by overly wet potting soil. It is best to water after the soil has dried out. On rainy days, reduce the frequency of watering.
5. During the growth period of the jade plant, moderately prune overly long and overly dense branches to keep the plant shape symmetrical and the tree vigorous.
6. The jade plant is usually moved indoors in mid-October and placed in a warm place with sufficient light. The minimum overwintering temperature must not be lower than 5°C. Strictly control watering, and just keep the potting soil from drying out completely.
7. Turn the pot of the jade plant once every half month to avoid leaning branches and leaves that affect appearance. If light is insufficient, pay even more attention to preventing root rot and leaf drop from damp heat.
8. The sap of the jade plant is toxic. Do not let young children accidentally ingest the sap, otherwise it will cause skin redness, swelling, pain, and blistering. If it accidentally splashes into the eyes, it can cause blindness.