To my surprise, this guy I just neglected in a plastic bucket with dirt for weeks has finally showed signs that it's willing to live. Should I wait for roots to appear before I do anything with this? I'm terribly afraid of killing it. I want it to air out/grow a bit more. I'm also afraid there isn't enough of the main branch to create roots?

Lay it down on a pot of cactus soil and barely cover the entire stem (the main stem) with cactus soil. It will root on 'joint' that's touching soil.

DaisyI said:Lay it down on a pot of cactus soil and barely cover the entire stem (the main stem) with cactus soil. It will root on 'joint' that's touching soil.

Thank you

My jade plant did the best and really started growing best when I ignored it. I have found it very easy to care for, watering only when soil is completely dry and the plant looks thirsty. It has thrived with this simple routine for almost 4 years. I live in zone 8a so I move it indoors for the winter and leave it outside in summer and most of spring/fall. It will be slow growth but you will be surprised that it will survive. Keep in a shallow tray of cactus/succulent soil (local Lowes/Home Depot) on it's side until it starts to grow larger roots. Spritzing with water every few days to promote growth of new roots. After there are several roots growing into the dirt you can transplant to a pot or bed. Until it has permanently established it's roots you can help it to stand up on its own by covering the top of the soil with rocks while also taking stress off the new roots. If it is still floppy use a tooth pick or something similar to lightly prop it up. And there you have a propagated jade plant!

That is the secret to both succulents and cactus: Ignore them! I have been ignoring some of mine for 60 years now.