Jade Forest Beginning

[nurvbonsai]

Jade Forest Beginning

Hi,

I was curious to see how this might be starting out. I used layers of perlite and spagnum. There seems to be a difference of opinions on succulents and water retention issues with using peat moss. I was hoping to clear that up here. Thoughts otherwise? How’s the style? I grew cuttings from a jade tree and that is mostly what you see. The two larger in the back I tried to root it in some potting mix and no avail. Thought I’d try perlite here. Thank you.

 

[Srt8madness]

I've been in your exact shoes, with a forest much like that. What I found, growth was very slow. So much so that I pulled one forest out and plonked it in the ground. With dwarf Jade, they respond very well to root restrictions, meaning slow growth and tighter internodes. Others I broke apart and am growing individually.

On the plus side, they also respond to root reduction incredibly well, so when grown to close to final size, they can be fit into a forest.

I don't mean to tell you what to do, only my experience. I really enjoy growing dwarf jade.

 

[nurvbonsai]

I've been in your exact shoes, with a forest much like that. What I found, growth was very slow. So much so that I pulled one forest out and plonked it in the ground. With dwarf Jade, they respond very well to root restrictions, meaning slow growth and tighter internodes. Others I broke apart and am growing individually.

On the plus side, they also respond to root reduction incredibly well, so when grown to close to final size, they can be fit into a forest.

I don't mean to tell you what to do, only my experience. I really enjoy growing dwarf jade.

Thank you for your input. Can you clarify what exactly you’re suggesting though? I don’t have any yard space to put these into the ground as I live in an apartment. I’m expecting slow growth perhaps but based on your experience, it sounds like it’s going to be having tortoise speed. Correct correct?

 

[Srt8madness]

If it were me, I'd grow them in individual pots until they get close to trunk size that you'd like, then re-assemble them in the forest arrangement and work on branching.

 

[Bejzu]

I am growing dwarf jade individually from cuttings. They are fast growers in my area. (Med climate). These are appropriate 1 year old from approx 10cm cuttings.

Uncertain if I will keep individual or create a forest.

If yours grow at same rate as mine, I think they are too close together. So I think it's better to grow apart till later.