Bonsai Jade Plant
A Jade plant is quite
similar to a money plant or a dollar tree but its
specifications differentiate from such plants. Normally it
is not very difficult to have a Jade plant as a Bonsai,
unless you already have such a plant in a dwarfed form.
There are two different species of jade plant – Crassulas
and Portulacaria, both inhabitants of South Africa.
Bonsai Jade Plant, also known as elephant bush, acquires a
height of 2 meters or more with thick trunk and branches. It
grows well in favorable atmosphere where the temperature is
between 41-45o Fahrenheit. The branch size is generally
6-8in while the leaves are 1-2in, but can be reduced to half
inch with regular trimming.
Leaves of the Bonsai Jade Plant are rounded, growing in
opposing pairs, green in colour with the occasional red
touch due to favorable sunlight. These leaves turn brown
upon maturity, which should be taken into consideration. In
the proper environment, you can find tiny white and pink
star shaped flowers on the plant, which further magnify its
appearance.
Bonsai Jade Plant has a unique feature – it can hold water
for 2-3 weeks, so it needs very little care on the part of
the gardener. However, the life of a Bonsai Jade Plant is
short – just about three years, after which it needs to be
repotted with a mixture of organic and inorganic matter.
While once a month dosage of fertilizer is very important
between spring and summer, sunlight too plays an extremely
important role in the dynamic growth of this plant. You
cannot expect to grow a good Bonsai Jade plant in the
absence of sunlight.
A Bonsai Jade Plant requires timely care for strong growth
and achievement of desired leaf size. When you trim it
regularly, the gash resulting from trimming causes the plant
to grow new branches promptly within a short period of just
1-2 weeks. Even detachment of individual leaves spurs the
growth of a Bonsai Jade Plant.
Perhaps the best feature of a Bonsai Jade Plant is that it
is extremely moldable – you can easily shape it into your
desired form in a period of just about 3-4 weeks. With
careful and proper use of the wiring procedure, you can
quickly and efficiently shape your plant into the shape you
desire. Wiring works best at the very initial stage of
cultivation of your Bonsai Jade Plant as its branches tend
to become hard with watering. So if applied early enough and
then watered, wiring can easily give your plant a highly
attractive shape and look.
Reproducing a Bonsai Jade Plant is also quite simple and
quick; you can easily propagate these plants through their
stems and leaves. You might be surprised to find fallen
leaves taking hold on the soil and developing roots to start
growing into an all new plant. This is one remarkable
quality of this plant that makes it stand out from others.
The many marvelous qualities and the ease of maintenance of
the Bonsai Jade Plant make it a preferred one for adorning
your home or office space. It is not just attractive and
simple, but also provides serenity and calmness to the soul.
If you're interested in
more bonsai articles, click here -
Bonsai Articles.
Enjoy!
I wish you all the best on your
bonsai adventure!
Best wishes,
Thomas T :)
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