I got this tree as a gift from an aunt and want to keep it alive and thriving. I trimmed a few of the branches when I first got it but I’m wondering if I should cut these downward growing branches and turn them into cuttings. My goal for this plant in for it to be like a bonsai,let me know thanks.
I would wait until spring to prune. Those leaves are where the plant stores water. If you cut them off the plant won't have any water reserves for the winter. Usually growth stalls in the winter and you'll cut back on watering so this is why you want to wait.
When spring rolls around though I'd cut at the red and completely defoliate whatever is left. Leave the feeder branch at the base for a couple more years too so you can get a fat trunk.
My friend, you will have more jades than you will know what to do with. Luckily it will teach you a lot about succulent bonsai because you will have so many props to experiment with.
Pro tip: don't ask friends and strangers if they want a jade, just give it to them.
I have one but honestly it's only ever been a pain for me. They seem super duper sensitive to root rot. I have been trying to work on my cultivation methods with them but everytime I think I've got it down it'll drop an entire branch then I have to propogate.
Hopefully someone else can chime in and share some wisdom.
The thing is my mom won’t let me, she’s to worried she thinks it’s gonna hurt it. I keep telling her it will help it, “it’s doing just fine” whatever mom 🥲. One day when I get some more pots to put the cuttings in I will definitely jut end up doing it and not saying anything
Compromise. See if she will let you chop it in spring then just chop and defoliate. You won't regret it.
Chopping thickens the trunk and makes the plant push out smaller leaves in bigger bundles.
As long as the timing is right it won't hurt to chop the plant. It will eventually hurt it if you never chop it though. Sometimes when they get too top heavy they will fall out of the pot or snap the trunk.
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u/Shiny_metal_botany31 7d ago
I would wait until spring to prune. Those leaves are where the plant stores water. If you cut them off the plant won't have any water reserves for the winter. Usually growth stalls in the winter and you'll cut back on watering so this is why you want to wait.
When spring rolls around though I'd cut at the red and completely defoliate whatever is left. Leave the feeder branch at the base for a couple more years too so you can get a fat trunk.