Grow jade plants this way to quickly develop an elegant, graceful bonsai
Jade plants are extremely common potted plants, and their tree shape is beautiful. Many friends like to cultivate jade plants into bonsai, vigorous and powerful, graceful and elegant. That is really wonderful. So if we want to cultivate jade plants into bonsai, what should we do
The growth of jade plants requires sufficient light, but if the light is too strong, it is easy to sunburn the leaves, causing the leaves to wilt and dry up. Therefore, to grow jade plants well, we must control the light. A spot with light before 9 a.m. and after 4 p.m. is suitable
The temperature jade plants need for growth is between 20°C and 30°C. If the temperature is too high or too low, growth stalls. The hot summer high-temperature season is its dormant period. If the winter temperature is below 5°C, it may suffer
frost damage, and once a jade plant is frostbitten, the whole plant will soften and rot, with no room for recovery
Potted jade plants should not be given heavy fertilizer or heavy water. During the growing season, water about once every 10 days, and strictly control the amount of water. It must not be too wet. Too much water in the potting soil will cause root hypoxia and root rot. In summer, when the temperature is high, the amount of water should be controlled, and it should be placed in a well-ventilated environment, otherwise it easily causes leaf drop. In winter, water based on the potting soil being completely dry. During the growing season, apply a thin, decomposed cake liquid fertilizer once a month. Excessive fertilization makes the plant grow leggy and not bloom. In winter, when the temperature is low, stop fertilizing.
The branches of jade plants are brittle. Even old, woody stems that have formed over many years cannot withstand twisting and bending. Therefore, jade plant styling is best done following its natural form, and absolutely must not be twisted and bent at will like pomegranate or winter jasmine. The sprouting ability of jade plants is not very strong. After heavy pruning, it is difficult to form a canopy, so for perennial old branches, it is best not to cut them off as much as possible.
Given the growth characteristics of jade plants, if you want to grow a jade plant into a bonsai, you must have great patience. It is best to start from a young jade plant. Year after year, step by step, persisting for ten years or so, perhaps it will come together naturally. Choose jade plant branches with potential to be shaped and take cuttings. After they survive, according to the characteristics of the plant shape, whether creeping, upright, a single showy stem, or umbrella-like, shape it according to its tendencies. Control of the plant shape should mainly be carried out by pinching and removing young buds.