Bonsai shaping and maintenance of Jade Flower

Bonsai shape

When the Jade Plant grows to a certain height, it can be shaped. Its forms can be slanted trunk, straight trunk, curved trunk, cliff, jungle, stone-attached, etc. The shaping method is mainly pruning, supplemented by coiling. Since the Jade Plant has a fleshy stem, do not let the wire get into its epidermis when winding it, otherwise it will cause the fleshy stem to tear. Jade leaves have strong germination ability and can be heavily pruned according to the needs of shaping, and the roots can be lifted so that the bonsai has hanging roots and exposed claws, which is highly ornamental.

Pruning methods

Jade plant bonsai often grows many new branches, so pruning should be carried out to maintain its beauty. Pruning can usually be done to create a natural shape, trimming the branches into a cloud-like shape, like a miniature of trees in nature. It can also be trimmed into branches that are slightly higher in the middle, of varying sizes, and with an outer contour like a melon seed, which is visually more beautiful. Avoid cutting it into a round shape as it will look very dull or even tacky. When pruning, all clustered branches, crossing branches, inward branches, overlapping branches, parallel branches, and long branches should be cut off. In addition to pruning the branches and leaves of trees, the outer contours of the trees should also be properly pruned so that the entire crown forms an unequal-sided triangle. The scalene triangle has both a sense of stability and dynamic beauty.

When pruning Jade Plant, you should leave 2-3 buds and cut off the rest. For small bonsai or those that sprout many buds quickly, you may choose to leave only 1-2 buds. The specific cutting position should be chosen at a place in front of the "bud mouth" of the branch, where the length is equivalent to 1.5-2 times the thickness of the branch. This way, new sprouts will sprout faster and the sprouts will be thicker. Secondly, the Jade Plant that has just had its branches pruned should be kept away from rain and strong sunlight to avoid infection or burns at the cut ends.

In some special cases, you may selectively leave one or two branches to perfect the shape. Especially within one or two years after completing the styling, you will often find that the original styling has some imperfections. If there are suitable new hair techniques to make up for it, it would be a blessing.

Maintenance methods

Jade plant likes warm, dry and sunny environment. It can tolerate drought and partial shade but not waterlogging. Although it can grow in the shade, it grows wildly, not only the distance between the nodes is elongated, but the leaves are large, thin and dull, and have low ornamental value. During the hot summer season, it should be exposed to the scorching sun. It can be properly shaded and well ventilated. In winter, place it in a sunny place indoors, stop fertilizing, control watering, and the temperature should be above 10℃. The plant will not die at around 5℃, but the leaves will fall off in large numbers.

During the growing period, water the soil only when it is dry, and water thoroughly when you do, to avoid the soil in the pot being too wet or even waterlogged. Apply decomposed thin liquid fertilizer every 15 to 20 days.

Because of its strong germination ability, it should be pruned and buds removed frequently to maintain the beautiful shape of the tree. Repotting should be done every 2 to 3 years in the spring. The potting soil can be sandy soil with medium fertility and good drainage and air permeability. When repotting, the plant should be heavily pruned, weak branches and other branches that affect the tree shape should be cut off, part of the root system should be cut off, 1/2 to 1/3 of the original soil should be removed, and new culture soil should be used to replant the plant.