Few questions about Jade

[Alkabides]

Hi all,
I’ve got a pretty massive Jade growing in my backyard. Picture tough to tell size but one part of trunk is as thick as my arm. The shape is already domed and it looks great imo. I noticed this tree a long time ago and it slowly kindled an interesting in Bonsai that eventually got me into low level projects. I think it might be time to dig this guy up and get in a pot. Sounds crazy but I think this would be an epic display piece on my kitchen island once established. Wanted to see if anyone had any recommendations of stuff to look out for. I know they’re pretty hardy. Im in San Diego, so I use a bit more water retaining materials versus just akadama type grit in my soil mix. I reckon that would work well in this scenario too. Any other tips? Thank you.

 

[fredman]

I tried them as bonsai, but they're better off in a bigger pot...outside. They need sunlight to colour the leaves. To little sun and they grow leggy. They won't flower without sunlight either.
They're finicky in a pot...as far as getting the perfect placement for sun exposure. The ideal is not to overheat the pot with to much sun. Morning to mid day. Afternoon shade.
They're extremely hardy, but to get the best colouring from them they have to be placed so they get the perfect amount of sun.
Like I said, to little...green leaves. To much...red leaves. Just right..green leaves, with red tips. That's when they flower to.
These two are out on my porch. One gets half day afternoon sun. It's a bit to harsh...to much red, but it flowers

Other one gets much less afternoon sun. Less red in the leaves and it don't flower.

I don't have space for them in the perfect spot...so I comprise.

 

[sorce]

Welcome to Crazy!

Oh yeah....Boldly!

I'd check out @just.wing.it thread on Jade/ Spekboom. It's a nice quick simple progression to excellent.....and......it's in a nice pot! Ha!

Sorce

 

[fredman]

Welcome to Crazy!

Oh yeah....Boldly!

I'd check out @just.wing.it thread on Jade/ Spekboom. It's a nice quick simple progression to excellent.....and......it's in a nice pot! Ha!

Sorce

Heil the Sourceman
The Jade above is a Crassula. Not the same as the Spekkies

 

[sorce]

The Jade above is a Crassula. Not the same as the Spekkies

If they are different Horticulturally, I still combine them as far as looks go.

Aren't they close enough?

Sorce

 

[Alkabides]

Thanks for the feedback. I’ve got a few nice but not nearly as big Jade in other spots there are very red tipped. I’ll keep you updated, no rush but I think it’ll be a nice display one day.

 

[fredman]

If they are different Horticulturally, I still combine them as far as looks go.

Aren't they close enough?

Sorce

They look similar when young I suppose. When matured they differ greatly however. Crassula stays relatively little juicy fatties....about man high. They are beautiful standing in the arid desert veld though.
Spekbooms grows huge and the wood actually lignifies. A herd of elephant can vanish in a flash when they enter the Spekboom veld.
What I also found. Crassula can't be bent through guy or ordinary wire. Spekboom however can.