Crassula Ovata (Jade) #1

AlainK

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So, I've had this Crassula for years.

Tried to make it "bonsai-like", but was never really satisfied. I even neglected it to the point that I didn't even take it outside last summer, so in the heat, with limited light, it became "leggy", with roots sprouting from the branches and the leaves beginning to wrinkle. So I put it outside. With the rain and a colder weather, the leaves became healthy again. I decided to repot it as a house plant, in a "normal" round pot, 3 times the height of this one :

crassula01_201204b.jpg

But I found out that the roots were not so many down the pot, and I had a "flat one that I thought would match. Anyway, I have so many cuttings that I thought it was worth trying. In "real life", it looks quite natural...

crassula01_201204c.jpg

PS: for the moment, I keep it outside, in a place where it's above 0°C, but as low as +2°C. If the temps don't get colder (apparently they won't), I'll add some flowering fertilizer, after repotting I don't think it will work, but let's try 🤤

PS : I was careful enough to save the tiny leaf at the bottom of the trunk, not bad, eh ? 😄
 
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AlainK

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They do this pretty readily, but I've never seen that many.

As I said, I totally neglected it. It was so dry that when the "branches" didn't have enough energy to stay up, they prepared their fall with roots for a chance to fall in a spot with soil and humidity. Well, if I were a Crassula, that's how I would have reacted 🤤

If it survives (it will, no doubt 😎) I'll trim it hard after the first flush in Spring.

And sell it for a hefty price ! 😄

Joking apart, kidding aside, blague à part, it's so easy playing with Crassula that everyone should try. ;)
 

Forsoothe!

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So, I've had this Crassula for years.

Tried to make it "bonsai-like", but was never really satisfied. I even neglected it to the point that I didn't even take it outside last summer, so in the heat, with limited light, it became "leggy", with roots sprouting from the branches and the leaves beginning to wrinkle. So I put it outside. With the rain and a colder weather, the leaves became healthy again. I decided to repot it as a house plant, in a "normal" round pot, 3 times the height of this one :

View attachment 343433

But I found out that the roots were not so many down the pot, and I had a "flat one that I thought would match. Anyway, I have so many cuttings that I thought it was worth trying. In "real life", it looks quite natural...

View attachment 343434

PS: for the moment, I keep it outside, in a place where it's above 0°C, but as low as +2°C. If the temps don't get colder (apparently they won't), I'll add some flowering fertilizer, after repotting I don't think it will work, but let's try 🤤

PS : I was careful enough to save the tiny leaf at the bottom of the trunk, not bad, eh ? 😄
Why not reduce those branches to ~1" above a branch division? They are really hard to make like bonsai, but they can be made more compact. There is a nice trunk & main branch network already there.
 

leatherback

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Good reminder. I should bring mine in too.

I think you should add yours to the jades thread!
 

Orion_metalhead

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Good reminder. I should bring mine in too.

I think you should add yours to the jades thread!
If I remember I'll get a photo of them all together and post there. :)
 

AlainK

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Crassula sarcocaulis

Thanks for posting : it it can stay outside in Shropshire, I guess it could here too.

I did a quick search, and it's widely available here, they say it can survive -12°C (which hasn't happened for years) and some say -18°C (which never happens here).
 

AJL

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It will certainly survive normal winters here in England! my Grandmother used to grow this species on her garden rockery many years ago in North East England ! Only one drawback is the flowers smell like sweaty socks!!
I wish I could post you some cuttings as theyre so easy to root,but since Brexit it would be more costly than its worth!
 

Orion_metalhead

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Still kicking. I just ignore them on the bench. Sometimes ill do a quick foliar wash-over, otherwise they get nothing from me.

20230716_184507.jpg
 
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