Hello! I have this variegated Jade that I want to make into a bonsai. It is mid-January and it is pushing new growth. I'm surprised that it is growing new leaves at this time of year and I didn't know if I should take some leaves/branches off now, or wait until its warmer out even though I am keeping it inside my dorm. If I should pinch anything off, what should I remove? This is my first bonsai so any help/comments are greatly appreciated!




https://drive.google.com/open?...

Hello kingkaplan

Somehow your plant reminds me of a Portulacaria afra than the Crassula ovata. Anyway I find that both are usually actively growing at least in my area during the cooler months, and loves full sun. I would wait till Spring season though if you want to trim it down. How long has that plant been in that container? That is a nice glazed container, I hope it has drain holes.

Thanks Tarev! It has been in there for maybe a month and a half. People on 2 other forums told me to repot it in a larger pot and not do anything to it until it is larger.

It is too young for a repot, and I would delay repot to Spring if you feel you have to. The root system of that plant is really shallow so it will not help to move in a bigger container at this point, with too much soil in a bigger container, it will take longer for the roots to dry out, and being a succulent, the media has to dry out, otherwise it may invite root rot fast.

Just turn the plant once in a while so it will even out the direction of its growth, it will try to follow the sun, it loves the sun.

Ok! I have an organic starter fertilizer with tons of probiotics in it from Dr. Earth and a succulent/cactus foam fertilizer from empirical-gro. Which if any should I use?

To be honest with you, I do not use fertilizers on mine, but let us see what others would suggest.

I think I will use the starter fertilizer to build up its immune system and then later on hit it with the other fertilizer to promote growth

Just not too much, okay, it is a succulent not a tropical plant, so it does not need too much fertilizer, they can thrive with really less. Reduce the strength of the fertilizer if you must use it.