Pruning my Dwarf Jade (Crassula Ovata) Bonsai

[@BackyardBonsai-v2w]

I really enjoy seeing the process of a tree after a pruning 👍 really cool to see new growth pop out like u showed with the 3 week update

[@BonsaiNorthwest]

I find that, more than my other trees, it is difficult for me to prune this jade even though I know it's going to look good again in a few months. It was looking really healthy (albeit overgrown) before the prune, and then like a skeleton afterward.

[@locutia7]

I have scores of crassula ovata plants, both miniature and full-sized. I like to shape them into tree like forms. My downfall is my unwillingness to toss the cuttings. That's why I have so many. I've started a crassula graveyard in a south facing part of my yard, where they're surviving quite well. Another thing: once they get fairly big they can die if they get too little water. So there are limits to keeping them dry.

[@BonsaiNorthwest]

Yes, Crassulas tend to multiply as the cuttings are so simple to root. I've given a few away and have also sold a couple, which works well for me, as I like to propagate cuttings, but I don't want to have too many plants. Thanks for the tip about not keeping them too dry when they get older. I'll remember that.

[@dkstott29]

Judging by the size of the leaves and maroon colors and smooth trunk, I'd say that it's a crosby compact variety of jades....if the trunk was rougher, it might be a minima variation..

[@BonsaiNorthwest]

@@dkstott29 Thanks, much appreciated info! I have cruised the web a couple times looking for what variety of crassula this might be, and that was one of the suspected varieties that I came up with. It's nice to get confirmation from someone else. The trunk is at least 8 years old now and quite smooth. So I'm going to consider it a Crosby's Compact unless I find a better fit in some other variety. I really enjoy this plant.

[@n8tyler]

Hey I got give you a first like and comment...I've been wanting to try some succulents, but the few cuttings I've attempted have all failed...I guess I could buy a started/potted plant and try not killing it...Yours seem very robust...Do you fertilize them? Enjoyed the content as always...Thanks for sharing from Sequim, WA...

[@BonsaiNorthwest]

Thanks as always for your view and comment. Succulents proprogate from cuttings really well, IF you let the end of the cutting dry out and callous first, which is key to preventing rot. I'm guessing that was your only mistake. And the bigger the cutting the more time required to let it dry out. I have a much larger full-size Crassula Ovata that I took a 1-inch diameter cutting from, and if I remember right, I let it dry for well over a week before planting it. It's now a well-established plant on its own roots. From what I've read, the lack of water actually stimulates succulents to produce roots that go in search of water. As for fertilizer, yes, I do, just like my other plants: A small amount of Miracle Gro about every other time I water, during the growing season. I don't fertilze during the winter. I've heard that Portulacaria Afra loves fertilizer and will respond really well to it. Not sure about Crassula Ovata, which generally grows slower than Portulacaria Afra.

[@n8tyler]

I think I'll give your dry planting and not watering for a week a try...Thanks for sharing...

[@BonsaiNorthwest]

Yep, I recommend it - let them dry out first (opposite to most woody plants like JM, where you definitely can't let the cutting dry out). The key is to not keep succulents too wet when they have no or few roots. Then as they get more roots, you can start watering them more heavily.

[@onLYbyM]

Hello. This is not a Crassula Ovata (Jade plant) but this is a Portulacaria Afra (Dwarf Jade). Would be nice if you could change the title.

[@BonsaiNorthwest]

I can see how it could appear to be a Portulacaria because of the size of the leaves. However, I'm quite sure it's a dwarf variety of Crassula - the leaves (thick and fleshy) and growth habit don't match that of a Portulacaria. Also, I purchased it from Hirt's Gardens as a "Mini Leaf Jade Plant - Crassula". I realize sellers can be wrong but in this case I believe they were correct.

[@onLYbyM]

​@@BonsaiNorthwestYes, looking again at it the leaf growing pattern DOES look different than Portulacaria. You could be right