Styling recommendations for Dwarf Jade

[Inspector34]

Hi Everyone,

I recently bought a dwarf jade. I've never owned one and it's highly addicting. I trimmed some unnecessary branches off right away that I didn't like and now I have a cutting forest.... I'm looking for some suggestions on styling direction. I have some ideas but I would love to read some ideas from those of you who have styled jades more long term.

I'd like to develop the trunk and the tree height and strengthen the branches out so I want to start with a clear direction. I marked up one image with an idea I had but I'm not 100% sure. The tree has a great slanted trunk so I'm leaning toward informal upright. Let me know what you all think. Thanks!

 

[Srt8madness]

Poor mockup, but I would go more extreme with something like this, taking advantage of taper and existing lower branch. The others would need to be grown out. Could add some others. To fill out.

Are you growing it outside? If so, the above would work. If not, it probably won't have enough juice to grow that out.

 

[Inspector34]

Your sketch gets the point across well, so thank you. We have cold winters so I have it in a warm room inside in a grow station with grow lights and mini shelf-greenhouse. in the summer, I bring it outside and it's been doing quite well with that. even in the grow lights, it's been exploding with new buds everywhere in the last 2 weeks. I just wasn't sure if I could realistically grow it tall. Was hoping for something around 18" at apex. But maybe I'm dreaming.

I like your idea though. I was just hoping to grow it taller and wider instead of making it a shohin. If you think my climate isn't suited for that, I may elect to go with your idea. Thanks for the mock-up.

 

[Srt8madness]

How tall is it now? You can make it as tall as you want, only difference is time. The taller it is, the bigger the trunk diameter needed to make it look good (subjective, of course).

I don't see much of a use for the lowest branch outside of being a sacrifice, especially if it is a taller tree. It's too low, at least for traditional bonsai design. You want some branchless "trunk" shown or else it'll just look like a manicured bush.

 

[Inspector34]

You’re absolutely right. I was stubbornly trying to make the bottom branch work but I knew it wasn’t doing anything good so I took it off. Today was a nice day so I took it outside and worked on it. I think I did a fairly decent job balancing it out with a good taper. Let me know what you guys think. It’s my first real jade shaping. We’ll see how it turns out as it fills in. Come spring I’ll toss it in a grow box and develop it bigger. Thanks for your input.

 

[Srt8madness]

Looks great!

 

[HighAltitudeBunny]

Wow! Was searching for good images of jade bonsai and stumbled into this thread, I think you did a lovely job styling it! I’m curious, have you ever posted any updates since then? I’d love to see how it’s been progressing!

 

[Inspector34]

Wow! Was searching for good images of jade bonsai and stumbled into this thread, I think you did a lovely job styling it! I’m curious, have you ever posted any updates since then? I’d love to see how it’s been progressing!

Thanks! I've attached some updates to the growth. For now, I'm letting it grow. I stuck it in a deeper pot to let the branches thicken. Once they get the right size, I'll prune back and tighten the pads, but overall I'm happy with the direction it's going. Here's a before and after photo of the growth. It's enjoying the pot I put it in so far.

 

[Inspector34]

Wow! Was searching for good images of jade bonsai and stumbled into this thread, I think you did a lovely job styling it! I’m curious, have you ever posted any updates since then? I’d love to see how it’s been progressing!

I also got a ton of great cuttings that have grown very nicely over time. You can get very creative with dwarf jade styling as they grow so fast.

 

[Wulfskaar]

I've got a decent one that I've never touched in the last 3 or 4 years I've had it.

Do they branch out with new sprouts after chopping a thick section of trunk?

Mine has long runners growing out with little ramification.

 

[Inspector34]

I've got a decent one that I've never touched in the last 3 or 4 years I've had it.

Do they branch out with new sprouts after chopping a thick section of trunk?

Mine has long runners growing out with little ramification.

they do. i even get new branches sprout on the primary trunk from time to time that would become large branches if I left them. Every time you cut a branch back, 2 sprout from the furthest node. so easy to create thick foliage that way. I chop them down hard on thick sections and they fill out really well. but you have to keep cutting back in order for it to ramify. otherwise it just gets really long and leggy.

 

[Wulfskaar]

they do. i even get new branches sprout on the primary trunk from time to time that would become large branches if I left them. Every time you cut a branch back, 2 sprout from the furthest node. so easy to create thick foliage that way. I chop them down hard on thick sections and they fill out really well. but you have to keep cutting back in order for it to ramify. otherwise it just gets really long and leggy.

Thanks! Is there a best time of year for this?

 

[Weta]

Got a few succulents, they got hammered moving city recently, slowly settling in.
I use them to train myself basic techniques of shape and spacing, they are sooo forgiving.
I trim in spring /summer so the ends dry out quickly.
Play with design

 

[Inspector34]

Got a few succulents, they got hammered moving city recently, slowly settling in.
I use them to train myself basic techniques of shape and spacing, they are sooo forgiving.
I trim in spring /summer so the ends dry out quickly.
Play with design

View attachment 623050View attachment 623051View attachment 623052

those look beautiful! Amazing nebari.

 

[Inspector34]

It depends on your region. I envy you being in Southern California. They grow even more aggressively in that climate. If you give them tons of sunlight and plenty of water in very well draining soil, you can do it any time of year. Though it’s generally best to do as the growing season kicks off. You’ll get much more growth for your effort then.

Thanks! Is there a best time of year for this?