Jade Bonsai Tree

The Jade Bonsai Tree comes from Southern Africa where it is reported to be able to reach a height of over 2 meters. However, if kept in a smaller container as shown in the picture to the right, you can normally expect the tree to reach a height of about 7 inches. As with most other bonsais, the Jade Bonsai is regarded as an indoor plant and cannot survive in temperatures below 47F.

The Jade Bonsai's leaf size normally reaches up to 2", however with regular pruning can be kept at 1/2". A thick trunk and branches draw up water into it's waxy green leaves. Should you provide enough light, the leaves will eventually develop red edges while producing star shaped white flowers in the later months. The Jade Bonsai is temperamental to both high and low light situations making it very versatile compared to other bonsais.

The unique look of the leaves compared to other similar type trees make it stand out. Their waxy appearance and shape make it very easy to distinguish from other bonsais. While the tree is very easy to take care of you do have to be careful with it, it can be over watered very easily. You may be used to some bonsai trees growing quickly but that isn't the case for the Jade Bonsai. Believe it or not it can take upwards of 20 years to get even close to 3 feet tall! Considering it's slow growth you must be prepared to have patience and tend to it while it grows. The Jade requires constant attention during it's younger years to ensure that it gets the proper care and nutrients.

The Jade Bonsai Tree can be a great addition to your greenhouse or home with it's beautiful white flower clusters and unique yet fascinating look.

Bonsai Tree Tools

You've finally purchased your bonsai tree and are wondering just exactly what to do now. You've seen all the beautiful pictures of bonsai trees on this site and spread across the internet and you want your bonsai to be just as beautiful. In order to achieve the desired shape and look you need tools!

Below is a list of tools that you can use to maintain and manage your bonsai and shape it into a style that fits your home.

Bonsai enthusiasts will benefit from this arsenal of tools to maintain and upkeep their collection of bonsai. However, if you are just starting out with bonsai the concave pruner and bud scissors will suit you just fine until you decide to expand your collection.

Jade Bonsai Pruning

As with most bonsai enthusiasts you want to train your tree into the shape that you desire. While many bonsai can have a difficult time when it comes to wiring, the Jade Bonsai can adapt to almost any style. Due to the abundant amount of water in the succulent leaves and thick trunk, the tree usually droops making it ideal for long cascades. Fortunately the Jade can withstand aggresive pruning compared to most other bonsai.

Flush cuts rather than concave are best when you are removing twigs and branches. Too deep of a cut can cause the limb to die back or create an unwanted scar. Most other trees require sealing when you prune them but due to the tough nature of the Jade it does not require any sealing. However, before you go about removing large branches proper drainage of the soil is essential. A dry soil will allow the plant to fair far better and you can resume light watering until the tree starts to grow again.

Some people may wish to refine their bonsai so that the branch does not grow any longer. Removal of the terminal bud that is attached to the branch that you would like to stop growth is the best way. Pinching and removal of branches and buds that are growing in unwanted places is considered the best way to refine your tree. Smaller bonsai also known as mame are often desired to grow vertically rather than at it's own free will. Thin aluminum wire is one of the most common methods to shape your bonsai in the position you want it to grow. You may be able to find small enough wiring at your local flower or garden shop but if you can't find it there you can check your local hardware store. For smaller Jade Bonsai trees you can use 1mm wire and continue to move up in size as the tree grows while keeping the wire at a thickness small enough to support the tree until it can take over on it's own.

Continuous pruning of the Jade tree is required during the growth season because of its quick growth rate. While large bonsai can be sustained with pinching once a week, smaller bonsai may require pinching twice a week.

Jade Bonsai Tree Care

Just like with any other plant, proper care is required for your Jade Bonsai Tree to grow to it's full potential. Jade trees prefer the environment inside of your home rather than the changing climate outside. The tree can sustain itself when placed in an area with little light but it is best placed in an area where it can receive ample amounts of natural sunlight. To ensure that your tree is on it's way to growing big and strong you need to give it a balanced fertilizer. Oddly enough, the constant pruning of the Jade Bonsai actually encourages it to grow stronger.

Most bonsai trees do not do well when it comes to reducing the trunk, however the Jade tree often does. It can often heal itself from wounds in as little as one week. The tree also responds surprisingly well when it comes to wiring, usually fully adapting to the new setup within 3 weeks. While training the tree you have to remember that should you push it too far, you are taking the risk in snapping the bark. A smooth subtle path for the tree to follow will give the tree the best chance at growing in the shape that you want it to. As your Jade grows you will want to move it into another post every 2 or 3 years. Inorganic compost would be ideal, mixing around 75% inorganic material with the remaining 25% organic or peat compost.

Due to the fact that the tree's succulent leaves hold an abundant amount of water, constant watering can kill the tree. Allow the soil to completely dry before watering again to ensure that the roots get a good hold and can grow to their full potential. During the winter months you should cut your watering down to every 2 to 3 weeks, once again keeping an eye on the moisture level of the soil. During the winter months there isn't as much sunlight so typically the soil will contain more water longer than compared to the summer months.

Jade Bonsai Blossoms

As seen in the picture to the right, the blossoms of the Jade Bonsai tree come in small clusters of beautiful white flowers. To get your tree to bloom you need to place it in an area where it can receive lots of natural sunlight towards the later parts of the year, usually during the months of late September and early October.

To encourage blooming even more, with hold from watering the tree when it gets close to the year's first frost. As days get shorted continue without watering and let the plant adjust to the cool nights. If you stick to the schedule your tree should have full blossoms right about when the shortest day of the year arrives. If you water your Jade Bonsai Tree too much during this time or the nights remain too warm, there is a good chance that the plant will never bloom at all.