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| Photo Credit: Gerald Klingaman |
| Jade plants can be kept small if you keep them pot-bound. |
Though not completely indestructible, it’s hard to kill jade plants (Crassula argentea). They’re slow-growing, and, if kept in small pots, these succulents will stay small for several years. If you really want to think small, you can treat them as bonsai subjects. And if you want your plant to grow big, the jade plant responds well to regular watering and fertilization.
I move mine outside after the danger of frost has past and allow them to soak up the better growing conditions out there. Though the jade plant thrives in bright light, it should be introduced to the full strength of the summertime sun gradually by sheltering it in the shade during the afternoon as the leaves acclimate to brighter conditions. Watering can be hit-or-miss because jade plants are desert dwellers adapted to abuse. In the home in winter, the plant should be watered less often and receive fertilizer only if in a bright location. It’ll tolerate poor light conditions during winter without flinching, but do keep it on the dry side. Jade plants grow heavy with water and eventually become top-heavy. Repotting the plant in a larger container will improve its stability, but larger pots can be a problem when space is at a premium. Another solution is to repropagate the plant and start over. Cuttings can be taken at any season, but spring is an ideal time to propagate jade plant, especially if your plants summer outdoors. Take three to six (or even more) cuttings from the upper part of the plant. Make the cuttings as long as possible without fear of the new plant toppling over. Rather than stick the cuttings directly into the pot, set them aside for a week to allow the cut stem to dry and seal over. When it’s time to pot, crowd all of the cuttings into a single container. (A 6-inch pot works great, but any size will work.)
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