There are many succulents for bonsai, but the jade tree, belonging to succulents, is probably one of the most used.
Traditional bonsai are planted in shallow saucers, which means they have little room for roots and often need root pruning to keep the plant small.
With succulents like bonsai, you generally won’t need to prune the roots. This makes succulent bonsai care a bit easier than classic bonsai.
How to make a bonsai from a jade tree
Newly purchased young succulents often already look like bonsai, but you must maintain the shape and size. Traditional bonsai balances line, proportion and shape. There are very specific rules in bonsai, but for the purposes of growing succulents as bonsai, you can focus more on the general shape.
There are also many styles of bonsai. The creeping plants, those that appear relaxed or inclined, the totally erect specimens and the crooked upright ones are the main forms. It is important to follow the natural shape of the plant and not try to force a shape. This means that if you want a certain style, choose a plant that naturally grows that way.
Make your own jade tree bonsai, step by step
As your Jade bonsai plant grows, you will prune it; this essential step maintains the shape of a tiny miniature tree.
- You’ll need: a shallow bonsai pot, some soil, lava rocks or pebbles for mulch, and of course your plant.
- Every time you prune new growth, the plant will produce more smaller leaves. Over time, the branching structure becomes finer and the leaves smaller and smaller. With the parts that have been cut you can continue to generate more Jade trees.
- Place the plant in a shallow pot. Eventually, with each successive pruning, the leaves get smaller and the tree takes on an ancient, twisted appearance. There are strict rules for making a real bonsai from forest trees, but with succulents, no such restriction is necessary.
- Of course, watering and pest control are still carried out, as you want a healthy plant, not a diseased one.
- Occasionally fertilize with a water-soluble fertilizer or sprinkle worm castings on the soil surface.
- Some plants may require that they be wired in order to give them style, move the branches and cover certain empty spaces, in the case of the Jade tree it is recommended to always choose a plant that adapts to the way we want, and from that In this way we will avoid using wire, since it can be maintained only with pruning. If required, we share a video below.
Tips for your care
Training a bonsai succulent is maintenance that will differ from simply growing a normal plant. You may need to pull off the pruning after a year or two.
Some plants can be tied together with wires to curve the stems for a windswept look. It is also necessary to prune leaves and branches to maintain a certain shape.
Don’t water the Jade tree after planting, wait a week first. Then wait until the soil is dry for successive waterings.
Your Jade bonsai will need the same care that the plant would need in normal situations: the same water, food, soil and light.
