Jade plant (Portulacaria afra) is easy to grow; bury a bean in the pot and it works better than fertilizer, instantly turning it into an elegant bonsai

Jade plant (Portulacaria afra) belongs to the purslane family (Portulacaceae) and is an extremely adaptable, very easy-to-grow plant. To grow it well, pay attention to the following points:

1. Soil mix

The soil mix must be loose and breathable. For example: granular soil makes up more than 40%, leaf mold makes up 30%, and you can add some perlite, vermiculite and the like to the rest. The soil mixed this way is rich in nutrients, loose and breathable. It is very suitable for plant growth and favors root extension and respiration.

2. Watering

During the growing season, be sure to keep the jade plant well supplied with water. Many people think jade plant is drought-tolerant and don't dare to water it, but in fact, only with sufficient water and fertilizer during the growing season will it grow fast, and it can grow into a large plant in half a year. As long as the soil is loose and breathable, more watering will not easily cause root rot.

3. Light

Be sure to give it sufficient light. On the premise of sufficient water, letting it bask in the sun more will not cause it harm; the plant will grow more vigorously, and the stem nodes will not become leggy.

4. Fertilizing

During the growing season, apply a high-nitrogen, high-potassium fertilizer to it two to three times a month, because jade plant is a potted plant mainly grown for its foliage. Nitrogen fertilizer can make the leaves emerald green, and potassium fertilizer can make the root system vigorous and the branches and trunk thick, which is good for shaping. For fertilizing, you can use your own fermented organic fertilizer, cake fertilizer, or compound fertilizer, applying thin fertilizer frequently. You can also bury a few cooked soybeans at the edge of the flower pot, which also achieves a fertilizing effect.

If water and fertilizer are sufficient, jade plant will grow very fast; in one month it will grow many branches, and in half a year it can be shaped into a bonsai.

5. Pruning

Jade plant very easily branches out side shoots, so it should be pruned in time. Many people prune jade plant into a bonsai shape, but jade plant grows very fast and needs frequent pruning to keep the plant shape attractive. When pruning, you can keep one to two nodes on the branches and prune off the rest, letting it sprout side branches so the shaped foliage is dense and attractive.

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