How do you grow Jades? | Bonsai from Crassula & Portulacaria

[@GrowingBonsai]

Do drop me a line, and let me know what you think of Jades for bonsai!

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Not for me. I prefer non-succulent outdoor trees for bonsai though I have seen some great examples😮😊 Great video Jelle. 👍

[@GrowingBonsai]

@@TheBonsaiGarden This is the reason why I included a jade video: Many people do not allow others the space to grow what they like. And a little controversie never harmed anyone, right? Thx for the comment!

[@harrietb2141]

I think they can look Very nice. I Will make one.

[@GrowingBonsai]

@@harrietb2141 Go, do it!

[@bobcatbonsai]

Great video Jelle. After my first failed bonsai I picked up some jade and turned them into a forest. I am happy with my decision, because when I screw up it isn't extremely harmful to the little trees.

[@wallygrandpa]

crassula ovata has a really special place in my heart, it's the first plant that made me want to grow plants. Whether other people think it's a bonsai or not doesn't matter to me. I like it and I'll keep growing it.

[@Bonsaifly]

Hey Jelle, nice video :) Tbh I never quite got what people’s problem with succulents for Bonsai was (of course I get that it’s not technically a tree). Honestly people do Bonsai with a lot of things that don’t grow as trees (I mean have you seen azaleas or blackthorn in nature?). I think succulents make for great Bonsai (yeah yeah) and are especially great for beginners. Wouldn’t want to miss my portulacarias from the collection. As Bonsai spreads across the world why not be open to new species? If someone doesn’t like it, no one is forcing them to use it :)

[@GrowingBonsai]

true!

[@ambermaclean8780]

Jade is considered a legitimate bonsai in the Bay Area bonsai scene, where the Chinese population has embraced it. My mother’s family grew them in the 70s-80s. Cheers from the North Bay, REBS

[@GrowingBonsai]

yeah, there are too many people that define bonsai by made-up rules. Which bay do you live at?

[@TonysBonsai]

Nice. I don't yet have a jade, a ficus or a Chinese elm, so I think I'll head out and see if I can pick up a portulacaria afra tomorrow and start ticking some off the list!

[@GrowingBonsai]

yes, high time!

[@pearcejames5490]

I have recently got a cutting of the larger species from a friend and it has successfully rooted so I'm 100% gunna try and do my first pretend bonsai. Thanks for the tips!!

[@GrowingBonsai]

Good luck! Have fun in the process!

[@maryweber4176]

WOW. I learned more from your video than several others combined. Thanks Jelle.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Thank you so much. Such kind words. Glad to hear it!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

Nice one Jelle. I have quite a few of both of these and I have to agree with you entirely. They can be fun to clip and grow, require very little attention...and best of all - you don't have to worry about them when you decide to take a holiday 😎

[@GrowingBonsai]

Totally agree! Not optimal for bonsai, but they do make nice plants!

[@juanita5691]

I like them as I can admire “bonsai” and some nice pots indoors during the long winter months

[@GrowingBonsai]

Me too! Just great to have something over winter!

[@natrjack965]

I have many of these plants they are so easy to look after and give as a gift when you have lots of cuttings Great video Jelle my friend 👍

[@GrowingBonsai]

good idea with the use as gift!

[@waynecooke9258]

I have a couple of Crassula/Jade. Very easy to work with and propagate. As usual, an excellent video! Thank you.

[@GrowingBonsai]

thx Wayne!

[@jayden3751]

that is a STUNNING Jade Bonsai!

[@GrowingBonsai]

Thank you so much!

[@CameronMuncie]

Excellent lesson Jelle!! Beautiful jade! Gives me hope for my jades 😅

[@GrowingBonsai]

Best of luck!

[@mattbrennan647]

Interesting tutorial, thanks Jelle. I actually started a few of the exact two species this past summer. My granddaughters love my bonsais and I thought these would be a great variety to get them started and interested in the hobby. We’ll pot them up next spring and I’ll pass along this helpful information. Thanks, keep growing

[@GrowingBonsai]

great to hear, let me know how they get through winter!

[@Marceldbd]

Port is amazing practice and Great to keep your hands busy in winter especially if you live in an apartment

[@GrowingBonsai]

great arent they!

[@vx8431]

Bonsai doesn't really have rules for what plant but how you care for them. Bonsai roughly translates to tray planting or plant planted in tray.

[@GrowingBonsai]

well thank you

[@HoundStuff]

Nice video! Call them what you want to call them but they do look nice when trained this way. Thanks for sharing!

[@GrowingBonsai]

cheers!

[@Bonsailoversubhashish]

Amazing tree

[@Justme0495]

Such a nice jade!

[@GrowingBonsai]

Thx! Is has developed loads since! :)

[@BonsaiStyle]

Hey Jelle Great Video. I also have two small Crassula. Yes, no Bonsai but really nice plants! 😊 Like it, that you show also this species 👍🏻

[@GrowingBonsai]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@Robotdolfo]

Beautiful Pafra tree!

[@donatoramirez6132]

Thank you for the great video going to start Bonsai journey with my girls God bless you and have a great day

[@DavesBonsai]

I love my PAs regardless of what people say about them as bonsai. Nice video!

[@GrowingBonsai]

:) That is the main thing. Enjoy what you are growing. What other people think only becomes important when you want to enter shows or conpetitions!

[@gopdeep]

Its beautiful .. I have lots Jade Plant at home .. Now I can try Bonsai .. Thank you for sharing this video

[@GrowingBonsai]

Great to hear this!

[@safanachanel231]

Nice sharing friend watching from Indonesian.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Thats so cool! Nice to see you join the channel!

[@harrietb2141]

What a nice little pot😍

[@GrowingBonsai]

It really is! And I cannot remember where I got it. Annoying!

[@greenmachinesweden]

Jades, one off my favorite plants since at least 30 years! I was expecting to see C sarcocaulis when I saw the title. Great vid as allways.😀👍

[@GrowingBonsai]

Glad you enjoyed it!I wanted to put that in as well, but mine froze (!) last winter. So it is not really suitable to be shown!

[@pesoverwatch9324]

I bought a few, and indeed, I bought 3 and I have 9 now :D

[@GrowingBonsai]

That is a few too many :)

[@VictorHHH7]

I like Portulacaria afra even if they aren’t considered proper bonsai, I watch a lot of Nigel in the Bonsai zone and he has all sorts of bushes and plants formed as bonsai trees and it’s refreshing to see, Japanese trees and rules are fine if you’re looking to tradition but like everything progression is healthy imho

[@GrowingBonsai]

it all comes down to what one considers a bonsai I suppose

[@VictorHHH7]

@ I agree, I see Herons Bonsai - Peter , and Notion Bonsai - Adam use cotoneaster, holly and Azalea I really enjoyed them videos I think they made good bonsai from those plants, I watched a video of South Africa where Portulacaria afra were standing 40 ft tall looked like trees to me, a lot of the American KZbinrs work them as bonsai, I even see Dave’s bonsai the other day and he was using a Christmas cactus, I think it’s all good whatever is used

[@GrowingBonsai]

@VictorHHH7 technique and intent is more important than species.

[@Moicc]

I recently discoverd your channel, very informative! Can u please tell me what kind of soil or substrate you use? I got one about the same size as the big one shown and want to repot it soon

[@GrowingBonsai]

I am making a full video on substrate, will come out before the year is over!

[@jakobklemm2381]

Hey I have a question, how about to treet these guys in the winter? Do they tolerate like 20-30 °C if I give them artificial light? I dont really have a cold room to put them in...

[@GrowingBonsai]

They do. You just need to water them a little more. And if you do not have artificial light, place them next to a sunny window (You might need to turn as they will start hanging towards the light)

[@TeamFishweights]

I don't agree that only japanese species can be bonsai. If it looks like a miniature tree in a pot, that is good enough for me, and most people I think. 😀 I have big Crassula and medium Portulacaria and I think they are awesome. Also, Ports are edible and can be put in a salad

[@GrowingBonsai]

yes, there is a range of opinions on this!

[@andrewdobosz3682]

I've had a few jades, they never seem to last for me, they shrivel up in pretty much no time...

[@GrowingBonsai]

How do you care for them then?

[@andrewdobosz3682]

@@GrowingBonsai pretty much how you described in the video they grow for a little while then just unexplainably die.. Think i may have over watered them or used a inferior soil.. After watching this i really want to try again! Thanks Jelle!

[@thegreatb7085]

How old was the biger tree, when it reached that size?

[@GrowingBonsai]

Some 7 years or so, guessing here. These grow really fast if given space, sun, water and fertilizer.

[@timothyvanheerden8105]

The common name here in ZA is "spekboom." It translates to bacon-or fat tree. I like playing around with them and i am experimenting with some of them and C sarcocaulis growing on rocks atm.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Ja, Spekboom ken ik! These should do so well in your-abouts! Where in ZA are you?

[@timothyvanheerden8105]

@@GrowingBonsai kaapstad. Hulle groei geil.

[@claireledoux1681]

thank you for your video!!

[@GrowingBonsai]

My pleasure!

[@oachkatzlsmum]

Don’t water in winter - also if the cuttings just have been taken in mid October? I wonder if you‘ld reply to 2 years old videos comments… Thanks for sharing the video 👍 Cheers 🙋‍♀️ Martina

[@GrowingBonsai]

well, tricky. If you water without roots, they will rot. I find they deal with very little water over winter better. But if in yr living room they will not go dormant I suspect .

[@oachkatzlsmum]

@ You did 😄😘 Bet you’re right- min. 20 degree Celsius- no dormancy in my living room. Little watering will probably meet their conditions best. Thanks Jelle. Enjoy your day

[@SJKurd]

so nice ❤

[@GrowingBonsai]

thx Kurd!

[@bayareaspearoshorediver7535]

Can they be indoors?

[@GrowingBonsai]

In winter they need to be indoors to protect against frost. I put all our plants outside for summer. I suppose one could keep them indoors permanently though

[@abydosianchulac2]

​@@GrowingBonsaiWhen you bring them inside, do you still hold off on watering them in the winter? Is it still cool enough in a window they go into dormancy?

[@Brensters63]

But what about how much light they require? You didn’t talk about that.

[@GrowingBonsai]

at 4:13 I state these go in full sun!

[@kindarhaz8429]

I have no luck to grow jade. I have 3 dwarf jades and all of them drop leafs and I don't know why.

[@GrowingBonsai]

One of the main problems I see these have is being kept too wet in winter. When do you see them drop leaves?

[@kindarhaz8429]

@@GrowingBonsai end of summer and they haven't recovered yet.

[@GrowingBonsai]

@@kindarhaz8429 that does not sound good. In summer these should thrive!

[@navabenyamini]

Thanks for the instructions. Btw, the Portulacaria Afra is not a Crassula sort

[@GrowingBonsai]

I would not dare to claim otherwise. Do you feel this is what I said?

[@navabenyamini]

@@GrowingBonsai could be my mistake :)

[@GrowingBonsai]

@@navabenyamini 😀

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌🙂

[@GrowingBonsai]

😁

[@sbragaglia]

Just got a little pot, but it’s a crassula ovata… very nice elevator music, by the way! 😂

[@GrowingBonsai]

Elevator music? What a respectless way to refer to .. Na, you're right. But some background tunes are needed every once in a while!

[@sbragaglia]

@@GrowingBonsai I know, makes the video much nicer… but I couldn’t resist! 🤓

[@GrowingBonsai]

@@sbragaglia ok then..

[@Marceldbd]

You can actually eat the leaves of port afra, sour apple ish

[@GrowingBonsai]

cool, need to try this!

[@PSPMHaestros]

Why is it not bonsai?

[@GrowingBonsai]

Hi Edu, there is a big stream that feels that only woody plants are suitable for bonsai.

[@greenmachinesweden]

Bonsai litteraly means tree in a pot. Strictly speaking Jades are not trees hence cannot be called bonsai. Since there are a few strict people out there I tend to talk about my jades grown as bonsai so I just don't upset anyone. 😀👍

[@GrowingBonsai]

@@greenmachinesweden that is a good way to refer to them! Odd how people can get upset by a species :)

[@TheMightyYak]

@@greenmachinesweden actually means “planted in a container” so the word has no reference on what can be used. The whole point is to create the image of something large and old - in miniature. So I guess why some people don’t like Jades is that they don’t grow as big as trees and so it’s hard to create that in miniature. As far as I’m concerned, if it looks good to me then I’m happy, everyone else can eat pumice…

[@greenmachinesweden]

@@TheMightyYak Thanks! Yes, it seems like you are right. I need to get someone to edit the swedish bonsai society webpage. My only source for the false statement. Thanks for enlighten me.😀👍

[@lefthandluke8923]

I appreciate this video and others on the channel but have to disagree about the "it's not bonsai" statement. There are many schools of thought, and maybe the point you're making is that it's not "traditional bonsai," which is certainly correct, but there are many (hundreds, thousands?) bonsai enthusiasts who have no problem considering succulents, shrubs, even some perennials for the art.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Great to hear from you. I guess everyone is entitled to their own views on the matter.

[@yummy8074]

"You can't make a bonsai of out succulents." to which I like to reply "Well maybe you can't Jimmy, but I clearly see that Jelle can." People who claim that only traditional stuff matters are those who will complain about other dumb BS like adding a pineapple on pizza even tho nobody forces them to eat it that way. Edit: To me it really IS a really beautiful bonsai. IMO what really matters in this art is to make something pretty.

[@GrowingBonsai]

well, thank you very much. Crassula is a borderline species to me ;)

[@kenhunnicutt8536]

Sorry, but I have to disagree with you on this one. Because bonsai has spread around the world, many bonsai artists are using native plants for bonsai. I don't remember reading anywhere that only hardwoods have to be bonsai. I have three portulacarias that are over a decade old, grown from cuttings, and follow the classic styling of bonsai. In some respect, they are more difficult to style. Wiring a succulent without breaking it can be very stressful. The amount of care I put into them is no different than different than hardwoods. Additionally, many bonsai artists use hedge material, which I wouldn't classify as a tree. Imo, bonsai represents an artistic expression with the plant and cared for over a very long time. I get it that pines, conifers, and deciduous trees are the traditional material, but just as bonsai evolved from penjing in China, bonsai should continue to evolve beyond the traditional definition. Thanks for the videos and allowing us to express our opinions.

[@GrowingBonsai]

👍

[@Robotdolfo]

I completely agree with you. Pafra trees are to be considered as bonsai.

[@LoulousCorner]

I call my Jades Fauxsai! 😂

[@GrowingBonsai]

Really? I prefer Peter.