AusBonsai

Hi guys I had this jade growing in the front in a pot for a few years, it was really neglected and in bad shape. Bent branches from being knocked over by wind and 2 menacing cats. Recently I got into bonsai and descided I should try and do something with it. I got a bunch of cuttings, alot of bent ones and put them in water and some in soil to get going. Most of them picked up pretty well and the mother plant has started burst from every where. I descided to put some of the cuttings in a forest type formation, but with the mother plant I'm not shore which way to go, advice on styling would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

Hmm.. my way of doing things..may not necessarily be the best way.. Don't put in water.. score the bottom of them to promote root growth and let the dry out for a week or so. then put them is damp soil.. not wet.. let them grow unrestrained to begin with to establish. my thoughts.. You can cut them quite low and try to redevelop movement in the trunks quite quickly through a sacrificial branch. I should really draw it for you but can at this moment..

Grainer wrote:Hmm.. my way of doing things..may not necessarily be the best way.. Don't put in water.. score the bottom of them to promote root growth and let the dry out for a week or so. then put them is damp soil.. not wet.. let them grow unrestrained to begin with to establish. my thoughts.. You can cut them quite low and try to redevelop movement in the trunks quite quickly through a sacrificial branch. I should really draw it for you but can at this moment..

I wasn't shore which was the best way so I experimented with a few different ways since I had so many cuttings. I did this though atleast 1 to 2 months ago recently I noticed that the ones in water had developed some roots so I put them in the bunch you see in the picture.

Maybe something like this and remove that branch right in front or is that to high and maybe pick one of the lower side branches.

Hi toshtony,

When I take Jade cuttings I do something similar as Grainer, I score the bottom of the cuttings then place them in a sandy mix, water once then don't water again until new shoots appear. They really don't like wet feet.

I think you've found the best way to prune the mother plant, giving it some movement and taper. I'd remove the front branch, once the warm weather starts the trunk will be covered in new shoots. Keep it on the dry side until you see new growth and consider a bigger pot.

Have fun!

Matt.

Thanks Matt and Grainer I will try that process with the trunk and branches that will be chopped soon. With the jade and its die back I've noticed it usually dies back to the next joint, so should I cut it just above the joint I want or go safe and go up a joint or two? The red marks are where the joints are and green are possible cut lines.
Thanks
Tony

Ps app used is called aviary on android, just got it a few days ago not bad. Very handy when not shore which branch to chop, take a photo then cover up the parts your thinking of cutting.