Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Jade tree (also known as witch hazel) is a succulent plant. Jade trees are easy to grow and maintain, making them a popular choice for many plant lovers. This plant does not require a lot of water and can live for many years. In addition, you can also easily propagate jade with small branches. If you want to plant jade yourself, learn techniques for planting, caring for and maintaining it.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Growing a jade tree from a branch

1. 

   Choose a branch. If you have a large jade tree (or know someone else), you can plant more trees by cutting branches from the larger tree. Try to choose parts with thick branches and lush leaves.
   • Use clean, sharp pruning scissors to cut the branches. Make sure to leave a few centimeters between the lower end of the branch and the leaves on the branch so that you don't have to cut the leaves off when you plug the branches into the ground.

2. 

   
   
   Wait for the branches to dry a little. You should wait a few days for the cuttings to dry and scaly to keep your small jade plant healthy during rooting. Just leave the branch in a dry place a little to dry, when the cut section of the branch has a layer of scales on it.
   • The bigger the branch, the longer the waiting time.If it is winter, you may have to wait longer than in the warm summer months.

3. 

   
   
   Use root-stimulating hormones. Root-stimulating hormone is a mixture of plant hormones that help the branches to grow better. You can make or buy this hormone yourself.
   • If you buy commercial hormones, you should follow the product's instructions. Usually, however, you'll dip the stem directly into the rooting hormone right before planting.
   • To avoid contaminating the hormone bottle, pour a small amount into the pot. Use the potions to do this and discard any excess. This will keep the rest of the medicine in the bottle clean.
   • This step is optional. Although the root-stimulating hormone increases the chances of the plant to grow, the jade plant is capable of rooting on its own without the need for hormones.

4. 

   
   
   Fill the pot with the appropriate soil. Conventional soil should not be used for jade, as it is often too tight to take root. Instead, buy a soil designed specifically for succulent plants or mix the soil yourself and add a handful of sand to increase drainage. It is important to remember that jade needs soil with good drainage.
   • You can make your own soil by mixing a mixture of sand, perlite and a compost. Succulents like soils that are easily drained, so it's important to avoid using regular soil. You can find all of the above ingredients at the nursery.
   • If you are concerned that the plant is not draining well, use a clay pot instead of a plastic one. Remember that the pot should have a drainage hole on the bottom. If you have a water collection plate lined the bottom of the pot, make sure to empty it.
   • Jade trees don't need a lot of space, so you only need to use a small pot if you have a small branch.

5. 

   Plant tree. Use your finger or pencil to poke a small hole in the soil (just wide enough to plug a tree branch). Place the branches in the hole so that the section where the root stimulant is dipped (if used). If you don't take hormones, simply stick the branch into the ground deep enough for the tree to stand upright on its own.
   • Squeeze soil around a tree branch. You should not compress too tightly to avoid reducing drainage. Just squeeze just enough for the branch to stand firmly in the pot.
   • If direct planting of the tree to the ground has not been successful, try soaking the branch in water to give the roots. Soak the branches in the water bottle so that the tip of the branch just protrudes from the water. The branches will start rooting, and then you can plant them.

6. 

   Place the plant in a sunny spot. Seedlings should be planted in a sunny place that is out of direct sunlight to prevent leaf burn. Within 3-4 weeks, you should see the tops of the plants sprouting. This is a good sign that the plant has taken root.
   • Don't be anxious to water while the plant is rooting. Watering the plant increases the risk of rot and kills the tree that is growing its roots.
   • Once the plant has taken root, you can consider moving it to a larger pot if you want.
   • If the plant doesn't seem to have rooted but has only been growing for a few weeks, try waiting a little longer. Succulents are usually very easy to root, so the plant has yet to take root, possibly because it's not yet time. You can also gently pull out the branches to see if the roots have sprouted. Don't do this too often, however, as this will only slow down the rooting process.
   advertisement

Part 2 of 3: Caring for a jade tree

1. 

   Let the plants dry out before watering. Jade trees are succulent plants, and this means that even though they need water, they don't need much. If you touch the soil and feel damp, it means the plant does not need watering. Conversely, if you notice that the leaves of the plant start to yellow, you know that the plant is dehydrated.
   • Poke your finger into the ground about a knuckle depth. If it feels dry, you can water it. If the soil is still moist, the plant does not need watering.
   • During the winter months, your plants will need less watering than usual, so be sure to check the soil.
   • Many people recommend watering succulent plants by soaking the pot in a pot of water so that the plant absorbs water from the bottom of the pot. However, you should also water the plant from the top down. Most importantly, the water must drain out through the perineum.
   • Do not let the jade tree get waterlogged. Be sure to pour the water away if you see it running down the bottom of the pot.
   • Try not to get the leaves wet when watering.

2. 

   Place the plant in a sunny area. Jade trees need a lot of sun, but this doesn't mean they need full sun all day. You should avoid placing the plant in a south-facing window as it will burn off more easily. Instead, look for a place where the sun shines for 3-5 hours a day.
   • Move the tree step by step. For example, when a tree is placed in a dark, shady corner and you want to move it to a window sill with plenty of light, don't lift the pot and place it on the sill. Such a sudden change can cause the leaves to burn and fall. Instead, move the plant gradually to give it time to adapt. For example, move the tree away from a dark corner to a location where the sun shines for an hour a day and leave it there for a few days before moving it out to a slightly more sunny area. Continue doing this until you place the tree where you like it.

3. 

   Keep plants tidy. Pick up all the fallen leaves from the pot and prune the plant to stay healthy. You can prune the jade tree to your liking, but avoid disturbing the main branch of the tree too much, lest it kill the tree.
   • Trim new shoots to keep the plant in a lush shape and less lean.

4. 

   Maintain a suitable temperature for the plant. The jade tree is tough and easy to live by, so you don't have to worry about the temperature much. You can keep your plants at room temperature, not in a south-facing window, where the sun will shine most of the day.
   • In winter, jade prefers a slightly cooler temperature (about 13 degrees C).
   advertisement

Part 3 of 3: Maintenance of the jade tree

1. 

   Change the soil every 2 to 4 years. Although the plant can live in a pot that does not change soil for many years as long as you don't over water it, changing the soil every 2 or 4 years will help you check if the roots are damaged or rotting. In addition, the new, dry soil will ensure that the plant continues to thrive.
   • If the jade plant you have planted is many years old and is no longer healthy, replace the soil to help it recover.

2. 

   Wipe the dust from the leaves. If the plant is dusty, you can use a soft cloth to remove the dust. Another way is to take the tree outdoors when it rains to let the rain wash away the dust.
   • However, if the leaves are wet, make sure the leaves are completely dry. Plants with standing water on their leaves may rot or become infected with fungus.

3. 

   Beware of pest infections. While not a common problem, jade trees can become infested with pests. If you find small mealy bugs on the plant, you can use a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol to clean the leaves.
   • Look for small, white, and fluffy spots on the leaves of the plant. It is a sign that aphids are present on the tree. Alternatively, you can use a magnifying glass to identify red spiders, which are difficult to see with the naked eye because they are so small.
   • Avoid using insecticide soap on the plant, as the leaves can be damaged.
   advertisement

Advice

• If you are planting jade outdoors, you will need to bring it indoors during the winter months, before frost.

Warning

• Jade tree can be poisonous to dogs and cats. If you have cats and dogs, be sure to keep jade out of their reach, or consider growing other plants that are not toxic to cats and dogs.