So this is a large, vigorous crassula ovata jade which has just been growing vigorously since i trunk chopped it about 15-20 cm from its base around 3 years ago. It has since been left (semi forgotten) to do its own thing and has developed a nice crown of foliage. Its also covered in huge knobs from me not cutting the branches flush but im embracing its ugliness and hoping it turns to a gnarly trunk with age. Hopefully it adds "character". Anyway, today i decided to go a bit nuts and defoliate, commit massive structural changes to attempt an upright form and root prune....all at once....in 34 degree heat. Time will tell if even a jade can take it.
Anyway so after about an hour defoliation was achieved. I considered styling as a broom and cutting back all branches to two nodes on seeing this structure:
But then noticed a tapering trunkline amongst the mess and just went for it.
Heres everything that came off. should make a nice forest planting or some shohin:
Also pruned and combed the roots:
Repotted into a well draining soil on top of two flat bricks to ensure radial root spread. Nebari sitting higher than before so just covered with a few cm of sphagnum moss to protect for the next few weeks (will remove shortly).
And here is the structure for the next year or so:
Back:
And front:
My vision for its future, as poorly shown using 10 seconds on my phone image viewer:
Then put some twine around to hold it straight and to pull one branch down. Its nearly at breaking point:
And here is how i left it in the garden. Fingers crossed it it buds in the right places and can one day look like the virtual. WIll update soon with growth and then the next styling
Final dimensions:
At nebari: 25cm diameter
At trunk base: 12cm diameter
Height: 62cm
Cheers
Anthony
