chosenman
Newly Registered
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 5:18 pm
Location: East Sussex

Prune back Jade heavily, so all leaves are removed?

My very large and old Crassula has been allowed to grow out of control. My question is: will it still shoot from trunks that have been pruned back so much that the leaves have been removed? I know that deciduous trees can be shortened and will still shoot, while conifers need foliage to draw the sap, but what about succulents?

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Gnome
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Posts: 5122
Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:17 am
Location: Western PA USDA Zone 6A

chosenman,

This should not be a problem for a healthy Jade plant. Every few years I cut mine back hard and they always respond well.

[url=https://img129.imageshack.us/I/99709520cz9.jpg/][img]https://img129.imageshack.us/img129/5313/99709520cz9.th.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=https://img129.imageshack.us/I/95923277yu9.jpg/][img]https://img129.imageshack.us/img129/704/95923277yu9.th.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=https://img129.imageshack.us/I/42273093fo4.jpg/][img]https://img129.imageshack.us/img129/3193/42273093fo4.th.jpg[/img][/url]

If you examine the branches carefully you can prune to (just above) a node that will give you a specific result. Jades grow leaves/branches in opposite pairs that alternate. By choosing the proper spot to prune you can favor new shoots that grow inside and outside, in which case you would probably want to remove the inner shoot. This will help to open the structure up. Or you can prune to a node that will branch left and right in order to increase ramification.

BTW, the cuttings root very easily, even substantial branches.

Norm

chosenman
Newly Registered
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 5:18 pm
Location: East Sussex

Thanks Norm, seeing your 2nd picture has reassured me a lot. I'll add a picture to this post after pruning.

chosenman
Newly Registered
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 5:18 pm
Location: East Sussex

This now, before a trim and repot.

[img]https://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a364/chosenman/IMGP1584.jpg[/img]



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