AusBonsai

Hey Guys,

I got these two dwarf jades that i am going to collect soon. Any suggestions or tips in keeping them alive once dug up? Will i need to water them hard once potted or just trim back most of the unusable branches and water sparsely like jade plants usually need?

Any tips would be appreciated! Thanks everyone.

Best,
KevDog

I would think dig as much root as you can, use very open soil mix, water in well and then water sparingly afterwards. Keep in the sun. They would probably survive without any roots, just like large cuttings, but no sense taking more risk than necessary.

Hi Kev

Are you sure that is a dwarf jade? Portulacaria afra? Looks more like a Crassula ovata too me. Stu mentions some good tips to get it to survive the digging process but they are pretty tough plants. I've never seen Crassula ovata used as Bonsai only Portulacaria afra type. Not to say you can't use them just that i haven't seen them used. The Portulacaria afra make really cool little bonsai and really easy to create too. Good luck

Hi Kev,

Keels is right, that’s not what we usually call a dwarf or small leaved jade.

Dig it up when it’s hot and into an open mix, give it one big drink then hold off until you see new growth.

If you cut off any large branches, pot them up too and you’ll soon have a backyard full of them.

I don’t think Crassula ovata are anywhere near as good as Portulacaria afra for bonsai but they’re still worth a try.


Matt.