It's Jade Time!

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Matt S
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It's Jade Time!

Post by Matt S »

Jades are made for heatwaves, so I spent some time today trimming my small leaved jades (Portulacaria afra). When they're kept well fed and watered this time of year I need to trim them every 2 weeks. They're not exactly a traditional species but they grow so well here, you can shape them anyway you like and are ideal for beginners as you really can't kill them.

Big and heavy - 700mm
Jade 1 Jan18.jpg
More manageable. From a cutting taken about 9 years ago.
Jade 2 Jan18.jpg
Slanting, from another cutting also 9 years ago.
Jade 3 Jan18.jpg
Shohin, 4 years old.
Jade 4 Jan18.jpg
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Re: It's Jade Time!

Post by boom64 »

Great work Matt ,looks like a lot of fun with them. Cheers John
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Re: It's Jade Time!

Post by annaf »

Your Jade trees a beautiful, l have recently starting to bonsai some of my Jade plants, and am researching the best soil mix for them, I am in Melbourne, can I ask what soil mix you use? Thanks
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Re: It's Jade Time!

Post by MJL »

I am not sure that I have ever seen these trees before. I'd better go to the Google machine!

These look wonderful Matt. Well done. I particularly like the first two photos!

Cheers, M
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Re: It's Jade Time!

Post by jonathanv »

I cannot help but cringe when I see a jade being put forward as a bonsai
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Re: It's Jade Time!

Post by Keep Calm and Ramify »

jonathanv wrote:I cannot help but cringe when I see a jade being put forward as a bonsai
4432879.jpg
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Re: It's Jade Time!

Post by Raging Bull »

LOVE KCaR's reply!! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Re: It's Jade Time!

Post by Pants404 »

While I agree with jonothanv completely I feel KCaR was spot on.
These are great examples and deserve some appreciation.
Nice work

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Matt S
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Re: It's Jade Time!

Post by Matt S »

Ha! Just saw the last few posts.

I appreciate that Jade are not a popular species and a lot of people are happy to tell me how much they hate them. It's not a problem, I've heard it all before but I still enjoy working with them. :P

Also, I missed the question from annaf, sorry about that. If you're still around, I use very open mix 30% potting mix and the rest inorganic (diatomite/zealite/pumice). As long as it's free draining you'l bee fine, Jade don't like wet feet.

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Re: It's Jade Time!

Post by Max »

or frost, boom ,dead this, and half dead that trunk, with frost burn tho i think a lovely aged look can be achieved in the summer
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Re: It's Jade Time!

Post by Sbwright »

I really like them. I was thinking of taking some cuttings from a wild bush in town, potting them up and then using them for a gardening class on Bonsai at my school next year.
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Re: It's Jade Time!

Post by ptt007x »

While I agree with jonothanv completely I feel KCaR was spot on.
These are great examples and deserve some appreciation.



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Re: It's Jade Time!

Post by Matt S »

Stinking hot today, so it must be time to repot my Jades. The biggest was showing a lack of vigour and the water wasn't soaking into the soil very well. As suspected, when I took it out of the container it was quite pot bound and the soil directly under the trunk was completely dry. It's been about 3 years since the last repot.

Looking back at the earlier pics in this thread I can see how I've opened up the foliage and softened the pads, which reflects what I've been doing with other species too.
Jade 1 dec19.jpg
Jade 2 Dec19.jpg

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Re: It's Jade Time!

Post by kcpoole »

LOvely trees and to ask the question, Why not as Bonsai?

They can be styled in any shape,
the trunks develop great taper
The leaves reduce really well

Sure they not a traditional tree but neither are our natives or ficus so why not use them for bonsai?

:imo: if you do not like them then move along.
Check out our Wiki for awesome bonsai information www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki
What is Bonsai? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Bonsai
What should I do now? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Newbie
How do I grow a Bonsai? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... _a_Bonsai?
Visit a Bonsai nursery to see some real nice trees http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... _Nurseries
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Re: It's Jade Time!

Post by anthonyW »

Wow Matt they look fantastic, some of the best I have ever seen, amazing work there.

cheers Anthony
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