I have a baby jade situated under a florescent light in my office. I have a lot of new growth but recently I have had about 4-5 leaves drop per day and just today an entire branch!!! I am very careful as to not over water it so I water when the surface appears dry. I even use the toothpick method but no matter what I do the leaves seem to drop. Some shrivel and turn brown before they drop. No disease or insects observed. Help!
Thanks!!!
Matt
Jades, being succelents, require less water than most house plants. The soil should be allowed to become almost completely dry before rewatering, not just the soil surface. Also, soil should be poorer than houseplant soil, comprised of mostly inorganic matter. Akadama (or substitute) is actually a very good choice of soil.
It could be that the soil is retaining moisture too well, too. We had a huge jade left by the former owners of the house for about 2 years before a new dog ate it. Anyway, this plant was watered, maybe, if I remembered, once every month or three, and was planted in a mostly sandy mixture (by the former owner).
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Gnome
- Super Green Thumb
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- Location: Western PA USDA Zone 6A
mosk1640,
A few things kdodds just wrote should be highlighted/clarified.
It was not a bonsai but a houseplant which means it was likely in a larger pot and in a heavier soil. Both factors will have some bearing on the frequency of watering.
Also it was not a Portulacaria which is not nearly as bulky as a full sized Jade and therefore is not able to hold as much water.
I agree with what has been posted here but my Ports need watering with greater frequency than Jades. It is still important that they are allowed to dry thoroughly though.
When in doubt you are probably better off not watering. A healthy Port, of Jade for that matter, will let you know when it needs water as the leaves will begin to appear soft and flaccid.
Norm
A few things kdodds just wrote should be highlighted/clarified.
To me these facts are important.This wasn't a bonsai, or a baby jade, justa jade houseplant.
It was not a bonsai but a houseplant which means it was likely in a larger pot and in a heavier soil. Both factors will have some bearing on the frequency of watering.
Also it was not a Portulacaria which is not nearly as bulky as a full sized Jade and therefore is not able to hold as much water.
I agree with what has been posted here but my Ports need watering with greater frequency than Jades. It is still important that they are allowed to dry thoroughly though.
When in doubt you are probably better off not watering. A healthy Port, of Jade for that matter, will let you know when it needs water as the leaves will begin to appear soft and flaccid.
Norm
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alexinoklahoma
- Senior Member
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- Location: Central Oklahoma
They will also die off when there is not enough light upon them. A plain ol' fluoro is not going to provide much 'energy' for life sustenance 
They demand sun (!!). The roots are rather sensitive to anaerobic soils, hence the preference for a more 'airy' soil that has better drainage (to let 'oxygenated' fluids down by roots)...
Alex
They demand sun (!!). The roots are rather sensitive to anaerobic soils, hence the preference for a more 'airy' soil that has better drainage (to let 'oxygenated' fluids down by roots)...Alex
