I inherited my mothers 50-year-old jade tree many years ago. I have divided the plant several times because it started to die and I thought breaking it up might make it more manageable. I was wrong This latest problem is what appears to be crackled looking leaves but the interior is very moist when you break one off, so I don't know what's happening. I have tried wiping them with alcohol, they are very rough and nothing comes off it's not like it's white powdery. Any suggestions?

to the forums TheresaInNY!
It's not a disease or insect, or contagious to other plants. It is a physiological response to moisture level and weather. It's been years since mine have done that and I can't remember exactly what it was. I think moist soil and very dry air. What happens is the leaf surface hardens and the roots keep pumping water. The cracks are due to extra pressure from the inside. They won't go away, but new ones should be okay.

that's very interesting! i've never seen it before. thank you very much!

Do a search for mycoplasmosis or mycoplasma infection for more information. It is a somewhat common systemic disease usually found in plants grown in a medium that contains horse manure.

An Echeveria infected with the disease ^^^. https://debraleebaldwin.com/uh...
Al

Oh gosh, that sounds horrid. Now I don't know what to do.

From the link I provided:

Serious

This indicates mycoplasma infection. The bacteria enters the plant's roots and then its leaves from soil that contains horse manure. Your source nursery needs to know they're selling diseased plants (ask for a refund). Once in a plant's tissues, the only treatment is Agri-mycin, a pricey horticultural antibiotic. Learn more in the Disease section of my video: Dick Wright on How to Grow Echeverias. Fast forward to 6:06.

Link to the video (I haven't watched it): https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

Hopefully there's something in it that will help you determine your course. The link in my post above this one mentions Agri-mycin. I haven't used it and don't know anything about it, but it might be worth reading up on.

Al

Hi Theresa,

My jade plant has done exactly the same thing. Did yours ever make a recovery? If so what did you do? Or should I prepare for the worst.
Best wishes,
Ned

This is a year old and that was the only post ever made by Theresa.

The first thing I would do is not take gardening advice from a blogger (which tapla seems to have done).
Mycoplasma infection is not caused by horse manure, its caused by insects. And, its not a very common plant disease so there's not a lot of research. The only mention of it seems to be the blogger tapla was quoting.

Can you post photos of your plant? I suspect CalPolygardener was on the right track. Edema is very common in Jades.