Jade found in College apartment

[BigLog]

Went to my sons apartment and spotted this tree on the balcony. It was abandoned by a former roommate and my son said I could have it. He said it’s some kind of Jade tree? Also, it appears to have small bugs crawling on it. I’d like to nurse this thing back to good health, but need advice on proper care. Thanks.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Yep, spray that Jade soon for mealy bug. It will spread this plague on to your plants very quickly.

 

[BigLog]

What do you spray with?

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

What ever you can get at your local big box store. You have to read the labels to decide what you are comfortable with using. Pyrethrin based houseplant sprays will work. Heavy artillery, you could use a spray labeled for outdoor use such as imidaproclid, a systemic, sold under Bonide label, or Bayer label.

 

[BigLog]

Thanks. I’ve been reading people spray with isopropyl alcohol?

 

[GailC]

Alcohol can work but often it doesn't get them all. Mealies can be a absolute nightmare if they start spreading. Keep your jade isolated and get a proper insecticide. Its a cool looking jade, not your regular variety.

 

[ysrgrathe]

Alcohol works best if you dip a qtip into a small container of it and pick them off with it.

 

[Potawatomi13]

Insecticidal soap. Available most big box garden stores. No poisons.

 

[TomB]

Looks like Crassula sarcocaulis by the way.

 

[Melospiza]

It's actually just the "Gollum" variety of Crassula ovata. You can see the cup-shaped leaves here and there. https://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=2716