Hey, I've recently taken a plant and I have no clue what it is or how to care for it.. I believe it was somewhat popular in the 80's? Its stems are cylindrical and brown with thick (2mm) tear drop shaped green leaves. I'll try and take some shots of it tomorrow. Any ideas? I really don't want it to die! Thanks! *Edit* I forgot to mention, I don't believe it flowers. I currently have it on my patio in Kits. It has been living indoors in the burbs for as long as I can remember before that.
It could be from the Jade family (MONEY PLANT) family, Others will know for sure. So others can see your plant I dl to my comp to post here. If you don't know how. Post in advancd --> click to attach by the 'manage attachment' click upload the come out when its done. Yea, Jade as I thought. I just saw it at Wiki but you already posted..ah well lol
Crassula argentea (jade plant) Your plant looks to be nice and healthy in the photo:) From the look of the pot, I wouldn't go any larger. If the soil is more then a couple yrs old, you might want to change it in the spring. Jades do flower, but sometimes that doesn't come easy indoors. I believe jades flower in the winter months, although mine never did:( http://image50.webshots.com/50/7/88/68/505978868EyklGK_ph.jpg Give it plenty of bright light/sun. If it needs more sun, do it gradually, giving it more and more time in the light, or the leaves can burn. Do the oppisite if bringing it indoors or you could see leaf drop. Jade plants store water in their leaves, so only water when completely dry making sure that water drain out of the pot, then empty out the saucer so it won't be sitting in water.
looks like you've got 2 or 3 plants in there, which you may eventually want to separate. We have 3 Jades that are each over 4 feet tall; 2 of them used to be one, but we cleaved it, as it was growing so hugely out of the already big pot with two big trunks going in opposite directions. No sweat, they're both doing fine after the operation. These plants are survivors, we rescued ours about 7 or 8 years ago from 4 inch pots that'd been cracked right through, their roots grown down into the clay soil beneath; I'm not sure how many years they'd been left neglected in an old greenhouse. They are now in front of a sunny window, although I think the leaves are the greenest when the light is bright but indirect... too much sun makes for reddish leaves. As mentioned by bluewing, don't overwater, or leave them sitting in it, it's about the only way to kill them. Ours haven't bloomed, but a friend who's has keeps it in a bright corner in front of windows, but no direct sun. the other thing about these plants is you can start more so easily. It'll sprout little air roots on a small section which will then drop to the earth and establish as an independant plant. We have way too many little jade plants started from fallen bits. It seems to me this plant can get mealy bugs, so if you see any bits of white stuff don't let it get out of control, they can be hard to get rid of if they get established.
Looks a bit leggy probably from being inside. Mine grow out side here and are nice and compact and full of leaves that are a rich dark green. If it is safe to be outside on a sheltered porch for most of the year that is where I would keep it. I too would give it new soil and make a couple of cuttings at the same time. When I see Canada as a location I can't help with temps but here we go from about average 10c to 40c so your summer is probably safe. Liz
I have mine outside too Liz, I visit an old lady who in sept will be 100 years old...whooo and she gave me a cutting which is doing great. Here is a great post from Junebug: http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=8536 She said its a money plant, apparently the plant has several names. Wiki has a real beauty of a flower here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jade_plant My plant will remain out doors seeing as its still warm and sunny, and it aids flowering (fingers crossed) in the winter.
We've always called them Money Plant, but I guess that ws just a nick name. They are so easy to take cuttings from, just break a piece of and stick it in some wet compost and it puts down roots in no time. When old leaves die off they go a silvery metalic type material and then drop off, thats when you know you arent giving it enough water. They grow outside very easily in the UK and even survive wet cold winters. I find that the wind breaks pieces of and they self set all over the place. Old ones often need trimming inside as they can get very top heavy as in their normal habita this is prevented by the wind and other things breaking of the heavier parts of the plant. I have seen these in Spain as quite large bushes a good metre and a half tall or more. Nath
Welcome to the forum ElDutche and good luck with your Jade:) Are they really hardy all year outside in England? I'm planning a rockery atm and some species of Crassula are recommended but i didn't think I could have them outside all the time in England - yayness!
definitely a jade - and a older one. nice and healthy, too!! does best in bright light to full sun. needs a very well-draining soil and likes to dry out quite a bit before being watered again. unglazed clay pots assist in that the soil will dry out a bit quicker. the plastic is okay though. if you haven't repotted in more than two years, at the least, the soil should be refreshed. if the roots have filled that container, then go up to something an inch or so larger. you can repot it now or wait around christmas (they usually have a growth spurt in january) or even wait until next spring. yes, these do flower and it would be in january/february...hard to get them to flower when they're houseplants as they really need warmer temps and very good sun to flower. hard to duplicate those conditions in winter time, though! some varieties do redden up in full sun and that's normal. others just stay green. and the green color can vary from a light green to a very dark green, too.
There was a big jade tree growing in barber shop picture window in the next town over from mine, it was flowering like crazy! Maybe because the heat was turned down at night which help set the buds???
I suppose there are non flowers in Jade Bluewing? The old dear who gave it to me said hers never flowerd. I intend leaving it outside then hopefully it may flower in autumn/winter
The "jade" in the photo does flower, although not the easiest to do, many people never see any, including the one I had for years, all it did was grow more leaves and stems. I'm not sure if it needs to be an older specimen to flower more easily or not.
I thought a link from junebug would do that. Thats where I think I saw about outdoors all summer. The link is just above Nath's post.
I grow my Jade outside for the summer, and give it lots of water and high light. In the winter, I keep it cool and dry, and it has flowered, but not very well. I believe it is native to South Africa. It probably gets a 'rainy' season, so would be dry and cool during the winter.
JenRi, Mine has survived 2 winters now, i don't think cold is a problem if you protect when there is severe frost, but prolonged wet weather mixed with cold is. nottingham has a bi of a micro climate and many things survive here that wouldnt elsewhere in the UK except for maybe Devov. As with everything it takes a bit of experimenting to find out just what your plants will and won't tolerate. You can always take some cuttings just in case before you go for it. Nath
Cheers I might just do that.....shame I bought an African violet today instead of that nice variegated Jade, oh well there's always ebay:) Good luck to all with Jade trees - i hope they flower for you! Jen
