Key techniques for growing Jade Plants

The Jade Plant, scientifically known as Portulaca oleracea , has become a favorite of many flower lovers because of its easy care and unique shape. So how can you grow the Jade Plant well? Let’s talk about the key techniques for growing Jade Plants.

1. Environmental requirements

Jade Plant likes a warm environment, and the suitable growth temperature is 20℃-30℃. Avoid direct sunlight above 30 degrees, and do not place it in an unventilated and non-scattered light place. If the Jade Plant is placed in a room for a long time without photosynthesis, it will grow too tall.

2. Water requirements

During the growing period of Jade Plant, just keep the soil slightly moist, and water it thoroughly when the topsoil is dry. The frequency of watering can be appropriately increased in summer.

3. Fertilization method

Jade plants do not like too much fertilizer. During the growth period, apply liquid fertilizer or decomposed organic fertilizer every 10 days or so, mainly balanced fertilizer. If you have enzyme fertilizer, you can dilute it and water it.

After the flowering period, reduce fertilization appropriately. It should be light and thin, not thick. Stop fertilizing in winter. If the Jade Plant grows too weakly during the growing period, you can add liquid fertilizer containing potassium, or use compound fertilizer plus wood ash.

4. Pruning Methods

After the flowering period of Jade Plant is over, you can cut off the remaining flowers, diseased leaves and dead branches to keep the plant clean. It has strong germination ability and is relatively resistant to pruning. If you want to re-prune, it is recommended to do it in spring to facilitate wound healing.

1. Observe the overall shape before pruning to have a rough idea of ​​the shape after pruning.

2. When pruning, cut off the dry, wilted or disease-infected branches and leaves first to avoid further infection.

3. Then cut off the inward-growing branches, crossed branches, clustered branches and parallel branches, shorten the overly long branches, and it is best not to move the thick branches. The entire shape should be trimmed along the main branches and thick branches. The trimmed shape can be whatever you want as long as it satisfies your own ideas.

5. Transplantation Method

Jade plant is suitable for transplanting in spring every year. When replacing new potting soil, be careful to protect the plant's roots to avoid damage. The planting soil should be loose and breathable, and balanced fertilizer should be added as base fertilizer.

6. Reproduction Methods

The propagation methods of Jade Plant include division, cuttings and seeds. Among them, division propagation is the most common method, which can be carried out in spring.

7. Prevention and control of pests and diseases

During the rainy season in spring, Jade Plant is susceptible to diseases and should be placed in a sunny and ventilated place.

1. If small brown spots appear on the leaves and there are brown wavy stripes on the leaf edges, the infected spots will gradually expand, then you need to use carbendazim to control them. Spray carbendazim twice a week.

2. When the temperature starts to drop in late autumn, apply wood ash on its stems to prevent insects.

The fleshy leaves of the Jade Plant are most vulnerable to scale insects, which will appear on the branches and leaves to suck the juice inside. Once a large number of scale insects reproduce, the Jade Plant will become malnourished, resulting in stunted growth, yellowing leaves, and thin branches.

3. Wood ash can also prevent aphids from laying eggs on stems, so it is very important to reduce the reproduction rate of aphids.

In short, raising jade plants requires us to take careful care and pay attention to every link. Only by providing it with suitable light, soil, temperature, water, fertilizer , timely pruning and pest and disease control can the Jade Plant thrive.