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CARE INFORMATION
not a true
jade
plant, not even related to it; but
this
is very much hardier and has more compact growth; cuttings over three inches long are very, very
easily propagated, so you can start with a branch or trunk portion that is already
well shaped and branched; cuttings up to
at least
two inches in diameter don't need to be callused -- just be sure to carefully snip off most leaves from
large cutting to help it rebalance its energies for root production more quickly; rooting hormone is
not
needed whatever the cutting size; to trim, pinch off the second pair of new leaves often;
it is possible to withhold watering on established plants until the largest leaf pads
just
start to wrinkle from dehydration; leaf pads very easily break off, so use extreme caution if you plan
to wire; tree buds back readily wherever branches or even leaves have been removed;
give as much sunlight as possible, otherwise growth gets leggy and weak in indirect light only; variegated forms are slower-growing.
Dwarf jade/Elephant's food ( Portulacaria afra )
SEE ALSO:
Bonsai Clubs International species care guide, http://web.archive.org/web/20080415183926/http://www.bonsai-bci.com/species/portulacaria.html S & S Bonsai Care Sheet, http://www.bonsaitoolchest.com/download/dwarf_jade.pdf Portulacaria afra monograph, http://www.phoenixbonsai.com/Portulacaria.html, especially section on Containerized specimens. |