I am panicking about this jade plant. I have only had it about a month. I tried to ask a million questions of the person I bought it from so I would know the plants normal set up and routine. We had just had a real wet period in our area and noticed it had been an outside plant so not sure if it got too much water or not. I have kept it in the same type of sunlight as he had it in and re-potted it as it was in desperate need. The leaves have been yellowing and falling off (or I pick them off), since I got it. I have watered it deeply and use a moisture meter to gauge when it is dry enough to water again. There are these spots of varying colors and other issues. I do not see any bugs, however there are indicators of chewing (probably from snails and/or slugs that I have a problem with in my yard). Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. I was told this plant is approx 35 years old and I REALLY do not want it to die.

First, stop panicking.

Don't rely on a moisture meter to tell you when to water as they measure electrical resistence in the soil. If the soil has a high salt content, the moisture meter will say to water. Oops! Its much better to use the plant as a guide.

Turgor is the pressure of water within a cell pushing out against the cell wall. When the turgor pressure is low, plants wilt... and they need a drink. Jades don't wilt, at least they shouldn't, but the leaves will feel softer than usual. As you just watered, feel the leaves. They are hard and slick - no water needed. But, when they start to soften, it is time to water.

As you just potted your new Jade into a bigger pot, it will take longer to need water. Don't even thing about checking that calendar!

Transplanting to a new home (even with the same light) and transplanting to a new pot (hopefully, you used cactus soil with added perlite) are major events in this plant's life. You will have to forgive it for being a little grumpy for awhile. Overall, it looks good. Physical damage is par for the course for an outside plant.

BTW, there is no way your plant is 35 years old. If it were, the trunks would be at least 3 - 4 inches in diameter, even in a small pot. Maybe 3 - 5 years old.

That is a lovely jade plant! Looks quite okay, and it is good you have it outdoors now. It likes growing outdoors. I can see from the first photo that there are new leaves forming from the center of each branch so it is normal for the plant to drop some older lower leaves as it redirects its energy to new growth. I just remove the fallen leaves. It will just grow new ones.

If you have snails, just try to pluck them out. Temps are relatively mild right now, cool overnights and gradual warm-up daily, just what the plant likes.

I only water my jades once a week especially if the temps are already going into the upper 90F's. It is quite efficient stashing water in its leaves, stem and branches. I water them early in the morning so it has enough time to absorb and dry out excess water the rest of the day. If you feel temps are rather cool, delay watering, it can handle it. You may want to put a stake on your plant since we seem to have wind advisories, till it properly acclimates and the roots anchors itself much better.

I also water my potted jades about once a week, in the sun with mild temps. It's always a good idea to confirm what a moisture meter says by putting your finger in a couple of inches to see if the soil is drying out. By itself a moisture meter reading is not that useful. It's really best if you confirm it with the finger test every so often so you know first-hand what's going on.

Hey @tarev,

San Joaquin County!!

I also believe in the finger test. I have to do it with my pot planted Gardenia as well. Otherwise I would definitely overwater it.

It is so windy out here I rely on the plants to tell me if they are thirsty. I had to water 3x today. Not a lot but every few hours. I have some indicator plants that let me know if they need more water.

Then part of the garden likes less. We're getting yellow on the bottom. Different soil I figured out.

Finger test!! Good luck, beautiful plant. Doesn't look too bad off to me and I tapped the picture to enlarge it.

😀

Mindi

OH thank you every for all the tips.. the soil was so hard prior to re-potting I couldn't even get my finger in the soil that why I thought to use the meter. I did use cactus soil, but did not use perlite. Maybe I should take it out and change the soil, but I thought since it gets so hot in Sacramento in the summer that pots (clay pots especially), dry out way too fast. Oh gosh I will try not to panic and let it sit for quite a bit prior to giving anymore water. The main stalks at the bottom (that you can't see), are about 3 inches in diameter, but it does look like someone at some point chopped off the entire trunk and the smaller branches came out in pairs. Interesting fact I did not know so I do thank you.

You can certainly improve your cacti soil, just mix in perlite or pumice into it, so it keeps the media airy enough below soil level and soil does not get too compacted in the container. Personally I prefer pumice if I have it around. Then I top dress with chicken grit/pumice so the base of the plant is kept drier too.

Hey, you are in luck, our weather has switched back to cooler conditions, just what the jades enjoy as well. Perfect timing to do anything related to its soil/potting needs.

Thank you @Tarev for the new response to my question. It does appear the hot weather might be returning to my area in Sac. But the cool weather was nice while it lasted. And the breeze the last few days has been nice too. More questions about this plant while I am still trying not to panic over it. It seems like it is getting worse. I have not watered it again since I re-potted it. I did forget to say that I have put a layer of rocks in the bottom (the white marble ones), they are not to small medium size I would say. Now I learned that putting rocks in the bottom of pots is not a good idea? I also did not put it in a larger pot I used the same one. Teased out the roots at the bottom. The plant had been in that one so long it had at least 4 inches of pot left above the soil line. There was only about half inch to one inch of space all the way around and I just stuffed the soil between the plant and the side of the pot with a spoon damping it down as I went. I realize the plant is probably in shock from the replanting, but I also know that if there is something wrong I need to figure it out sooner or later. Maybe it needs more sun and I planned on moving it slowly to a sunnier area. How many hours of sun should it get? The person I got it off of said it only got about 4 hours in his yard.

Yes, putting those layer of rocks below does not really help. I would suggest since current weather is still comfortable, remove those rocks and instead just mix in cacti mix with pumice or perlite. Jades do not need too big and deep containers either, since their root mass is quite small and shallow.

Jades can take full sun, and you would adjust your watering to it as seasons change. Colder conditions, less water if possible, if it gets into the triple digits try to water thoroughly at least once a week. I have my plant growing outdoors year round so the dicey part is winter. It can take temps in the low 30F's as long as it is kept dry. But as you well know we get the rains in winter so you really need to add pumice or perlite to allow faster drain out in the soil. Take note though, our full sun in summer is very strong and length of sunlight is way longer and it is just bone dry all over, so it also helps to position your plant in an area where it will get some dappled shade during the afternoons.

Give your jade some time to adjust, since it has just been repotted, and as earlier mentioned, remove those rocks below. You can put a screen on the holes if your intention is to save soil from falling out.

Thankfully temperatures right now are running like 20 degrees cooler than usual, so it is just right for your jade. In case your area right now is getting the sudden downpours being mentioned on the news, protect your plant from it.

@Tarev I waited longer to see if it would get better. It started to look a bit better then worsened again this weekend. Of course it rained without me knowing it was going to rain... Boo. I had waited until the soil was totally dry, watered it, and then it rained again like two days later. I think I will take those rocks out this weekend and I have moved it to a place where it gets morning sun and afternoon shadier plus. But at least if I take the rocks out I can look at the roots and be sure there is no rot. One problem will be solved anyway. I did pick up a bag of perlite so I will add that to the soil. And yes it has been a bit cooler in the evening these days. Thanks so much!!

Hello tattoodwaitress, it has been really windy and cool these past few days right, so it is okay if it got rained on a bit. Our temps are gradually heating up now. Try to do now your repot and position it in part sun/shade this weekend to Tuesday, I read forecast temps are going to rise suddenly to the low to mid 90F's so that is quite stressful after our plants have been sitting in cool conditions, and with root disturbance, your plant will be a bit stressed for sure. Don't water yet after your repot. Warming conditions encourage root growth but too much direct sun right away will be too stressful for it.

Yes, it is a good way to check on the condition of the roots as you repot. Good luck!

I just wanted to post an update. I took all of your suggestions here and the plant is doing BEAUTIFULLY. I did re-pot it, removed the rocks, added a bit more of the stuff that helps the soil to drain better and moved it to the east side of the house where it gets morning sun and is also protected by the patio roof in the heat of the midday and early evening. It's got lots of new growth and when I re-potted it I saw that it had some nice new roots going on. Its been about six weeks since I re-potted it and I know it has taken hold because the new growth is popping up all over the place. No more yellow dropping or wrinkled up leaves. I have been giving it a good soak about every two weeks since it has been unbelievably hot here in Sacramento. One thing I have learned is that full sun does not mean full sun in Sacramento heat. Just wanted to share new pictures and say thanks again.

Congratulations! You followed good advice and learned from it!

Beautiful job! Congrats!

That is a beautiful plant!! Good job!

Good growing!

Thank you @ctcarol and @terrafirma, and Daisyl and @tarev!!

Looks beautiful!! You really turned it around!! 😀

Mindi