Jade Bonsai Tree
How To Care For A Jade Bonsai Tree
Originally from South Africa, the jade bonsai is an evergreen succulent which looks like a glossy, spine-less cactus.
Temperature
Because they are a cactus-type plant, temperature regulation is very important. They must be grown indoors, however during the summer months it can be beneficial for the plants to be placed outdoors. If you don’t want your jade bonsai to have stunted growth, you should place the plant near a natural light source, such as a sunny windowsill.
Water
A jade bonsai is naturally able to capture and hold quite a bit of water in its leaves. As a result, unlike some other types of bonsai, the jade bonsai should be watered lightly to avoid root rot and fungi. You should allow the soil to dry between each watering, or the plant may develop a shallow, unhealthy root system.
Food
Along with the right watering habits, your jade bonsai can benefit from fertilizer. With the jade bonsai particularly, strong light can be just as beneficial as any fertilizer, but you still should give fertilizer about once a month from around the middle of spring to the fall will give your jade bonsai an added advantage.
Pots and Soil
If you want to keep your bonsai tree looking good for years to come, place you bonsai tree in a larger pot every two to three years. Also, make sure you you use a mixture of gritty soil and compost, this allows good drainage and the ability to retain just the right amount of water.
Sculpting and Pruning
The bonsai needs to be pruned regularly using a kit of specialized tools to promote growth on the lower part of the trunk. Pinching off new growth also makes the leaves smaller in size, which is usually desirable for enthusiasts.
If you like to change the position of your bonsai, you can use wire to make a new arrangement. Within a month, your jade bonsai should be holding its new position. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that the jade bonsai has rather soft bark and if you do wire the branches into new positions, you have to do it slowly and carefully. The branches may break if bent too far because the surface has a tendency to develop grooves.
If you find that your jade bonsai’s leaves are falling off, make sure that you are doing all of the above correctly. Also check that you have not potted the bonsai too high in the pot as it can dry out too quickly.
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