Portulacaria Afra trimming

Lobaeux

Shohin
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Hey guys, I've got a question for you.

In trying to thicken up this portulacaria's pads, how far would you cut back? Just the tip, or further back down the branch? The branches are about where I want them, but I want to thicken up the foilage.
I've recently pinched the larger leaves and it's already grown back. This guy grows fast!
 

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f1pt4

Chumono
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image.jpg


That's what I'd do if it were mine.

Unless you want to thicken up the left branch, and leave it growing and chop it back at a later point, I'd chop at the red marks.

Root the cuttings.

Looks healthy!
 

Lobaeux

Shohin
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It is a healthy plant. I like your idea for cutting the branches, the two on the top and the one on the left. Just not sure about the one on the right. I might just cut the tips and go from there.
 

f1pt4

Chumono
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It is a healthy plant. I like your idea for cutting the branches, the two on the top and the one on the left. Just not sure about the one on the right. I might just cut the tips and go from there.

I just find it competes with the back one. Perhaps a different angle might prove otherwise. Put some wire on the back one. You don't have to use a heavy one as the branches bend and set easily.

By cutting the right one you can develop it as a twin trunk.
 

Lobaeux

Shohin
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I had wired this, it took to wiring but I've been trying to cut and clip to style.
I'll take a better picture when I get home, but I see what you mean.
I've been trying to take this little guy to my local club, but I've missed the last two meetings and will miss this one.
This place is great to get advice!!
 

just.wing.it

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I have one like yours...
I recently cut off almost all my upward growing branches, while shortening the lateral growth....if you didn't want to take it back too far, you know.
 

Lobaeux

Shohin
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I see what you're talking about with the branches competing with each other. I'm not happy with the straight vertical growth with the apex, but I can live with it by camouflaging it.
I may cut that vertical branch on the lower right though.
I've taken some more pics, still not great. I haven't mastered the pic taking of bonsai, I'm just not good at it.

The pics should show up in order as Front, Right, Back and Left views.
 

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Lobaeux

Shohin
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Have you pruned this yet? What did you settle on?

I haven't yet. The vertical branch on the right side of the first pic will be cut and planted. I think it's still a little small yet to do it though.
 

just.wing.it

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Have you pruned this yet? What did you settle on?
Actually it's not your thread, or mine... but I'll share a pic of what I got here, I'm sure the OP won't mind too much.
IMAG2267.jpg IMAG2268.jpg
IMAG2264.jpg
I have trimmed some upward growing branches, and repotted since these pics were snapped...
I am trying to make it very small, with tight, tiny branches....
It's a fun little tree to have, something I can play with and look at during winter each year...
Ive had this for 2 years.
 

Lobaeux

Shohin
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I like it. I'm a little bit of a fan of Portucalaria, it's a fun little tree. I've got to trim the upward growing branch eventually.
 

KingJades

Shohin
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I like it. I'm a little bit of a fan of Portucalaria, it's a fun little tree. I've got to trim the upward growing branch eventually.

They're easily my favorite! Those and the large leaf crassulas! I have about 10 jade plants going right now, which still feels low to me!
 

just.wing.it

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They're easily my favorite! Those and the large leaf crassulas! I have about 10 jade plants going right now, which still feels low to me!
I have many tiny cuttings off of mine that seem to be doing OK.
Thinking of trying a fusion with some of them later on down the line.
I have no clue if they'll fuse or not, but I'm gonna try.
 

Lobaeux

Shohin
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10 Jade plants! Not sure I'd have enough room for that many plants at my place.

I'll try the cut, I know you can cut and plant when they're small, was just hoping for a little bit more growth.

I'm fusing some ficus right now. I don't see a reason why they wouldn't fuse, maybe someone more experienced and knowledgeable than I will know.
 

f1pt4

Chumono
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10 Jade plants! Not sure I'd have enough room for that many plants at my place.

I'll try the cut, I know you can cut and plant when they're small, was just hoping for a little bit more growth.

I'm fusing some ficus right now. I don't see a reason why they wouldn't fuse, maybe someone more experienced and knowledgeable than I will know.


You can cut and root any size, any thickness. Not just the wee ones. Just let the cut portions dry for about a week before planting, then don't water until there's significant shrivelage on the leaves. I root my cuttings in pure growstones, but have also done it in other inorganic substrates.

From my experience jades and ports don't fuse. I've have a couple bound already for about 3 years with no fusion unlike my ficus' which will fuse np.
 

just.wing.it

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You can cut and root any size, any thickness. Not just the wee ones. Just let the cut portions dry for about a week before planting, then don't water until there's significant shrivelage on the leaves. I root my cuttings in pure growstones, but have also done it in other inorganic substrates.

From my experience jades and ports don't fuse. I've have a couple bound already for about 3 years with no fusion unlike my ficus' which will fuse np.
Hmm, interesting, and thanks!
Maybe I'll make a mame sized p. afra forest...lol!
 

Lobaeux

Shohin
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Okay, I went ahead and sliced off one of the vertical growing branches. I'll leave it to dry out for about a week and then pot it in this little square pot.

And a pic of the Jade missing the branch. The wound will heal over just fine, eh?
 

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just.wing.it

Deadwood Head
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Okay, I went ahead and sliced off one of the vertical growing branches. I'll leave it to dry out for about a week and then pot it in this little square pot.

And a pic of the Jade missing the branch. The wound will heal over just fine, eh?
Don't use any sealant. The wound will do fine on its own.
 
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