Jade (Crassula ovata 'Gollum') progression

[jerzyjerzy]

The jade was about 25 when I got it, it was in February 2020. I planted it into 4-8 mm mineral substrate right away.

This is the way it looked in April 2020 - height about 80 centimeters:


But, not for long



Now, it's 50 centimeters.



And three months later in Summer:



After the whole season outside in summer 2021:



After the full defoliation in order to uncover the main branch structure:

 

[jerzyjerzy]

I removed some crotch growth, third and crossing branches, leaving two branches at every fork.







The final image, left, right and a potential front:







To be continued next year...

 

[Tums]

Nice! I like the use of the cuttings as a groundcover accent. Do crassulas respond well to defoliation?

 

[jerzyjerzy]

Funny thing is, the young plants on the substrate are not really from cuttings, they grew by themselves from fallen leaves

About defoliation - I don't think jades need it for the crown building or refining, as the Gollum variety has really short internodes anyway, even in a low light situations, and it backbuds easily. I use it only to reveal the branches because the leaves make a total mess otherwise, and you cannot see the structure.

 

[SWfloirda]

Nice! I've got one I've had for 5 years or more. It is barely bigger than a pencil.

 

[jerzyjerzy]

Well, you have to buy one that is thick enough for bonsai.
Mine is 26 years old, and I got it really cheap as jades are pretty common house plants.

Unless you like to wait 20 more years

 

[jerzyjerzy]

 

[freshtapescent]

Time for an update on this Gollum Jade! @jerzyjerzy

 

[jerzyjerzy]

Sure, there it is... sorry for the cobwebs

In a month or so, it is going outside. I will shorten all the branches to two new shoots then, and probably remove some crossing branches.




BTW, this is the back of the tree.

 

[cheap_walmart_art]

Damn. You have inspired me to work on mine!