posted
Hi -- I'm trying to salvage a jade plant that is rotting. It's an old plant (I think it must be over 30 years old) -- the trunk and a few branches are very thick. I can't cut away the rotted portions, since the bottom of the trunk seems to be affected now. Is it possible to save the thick branches that aren't affected? I've already started plants from thin shoots that have fallen off.
Plants: 2 | From: NJ | Registered: Dec 2002
| Seeded: 67.83.57.195
Will Creed
guest
posted
Hi Iris,
Yes, you can root cuttings from any stems that have not been infected by the rot.
posted
Thanks, Will. Another question: I read on this site that calloused over cuttings can be "set temporarily into a rooting medium such as vermiculite or perlite." But it's not clear to me what "temporarily" means here. How do you know when to transfer cuttings to soil? I truly appreciate your help. As you can tell, I'm quite clueless -- I didn't even know that you're not supposed to root cuttings in water.
Plants: 2 | From: NJ | Registered: Dec 2002
| Seeded: 67.83.57.195
Will Creed
guest
posted
Iris,
You are not clueless. You are simply venturing into areas where there are no clear or single answers.
Some say to let jade cuttings callous over by leaving them exposed to the air for about 24 hours. Others just pot them up right after cutting them. Both ways work. Indeed, it is even possible to root jade cuttings in water, so you are smarter than you think!
In horticulture there are no dumb questions, only confusing and sometimes contradictory answers. So never be afraid to ask why.
posted
Hello, I too have a Jade Plant. It is much younger though. However, I was haveing problems as well. It was dropping leaves all over the place. Then I read I was not supposed to water so much. *DER* Then in the summer the leaves got this rust like scaleyness to the leaves. I found that this happens almost everytime with every Jade plant. *ok*. Then for months during the growing season it did not grow a single new leaf. Then I was told to pinch it occationally and then I read to fertilize it like 4 times a year. So far, it has grown 2" taller in the last 2 years and several new leaves in that time.
Thats My story. Now, on to your Jade. I can suggest a riskey proccedure. About two inches from the rotted/ing areas; Take an cut off the lower branches, apply rooting hormones to those cuts, and useing the "air layering method", wrap moist spagnum moss *NOT peat* around those cuts, secure with plastic wrap and thread or string but leave a bit of bit of venting at the top opening.
This is "my" LAST ditch effort to save any of my plants.
I hope with whatever venture you take to save your Jade, I hope it will be successful.
Tony
Plants: 1 | From: Muskegon, Michigan, USA | Registered: Dec 2002
| Seeded: 12.241.132.221
Will Creed
guest
posted
Tony,
Poor or slow growth of jade plants is usually due to lack of direct sunlight and/or using a pot that is too large.
Air layering is best reserved for hard, woody-stemmed plants that are difficult to root on their own. Jade cuttings root quite easily so the air-layering process is not necessary.
posted
My jade plant has been knocked over. I have cut off the broken/damaged pieces and am rooting them.. But what about the open stem from the original plant.. should anything be done to it or put on it to keep it healthy and to promote new growth???
Plants: 1 | From: OHIO | Registered: Jan 2003
| Seeded: 63.210.231.10
posted
You shouldn't have to worry Amyjean....the cut ends of your plant should be left to the air. It will dry and heal over. It will not be long before you see some new growth.
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