Question
My husband and I were given a large jade plant last year. We gave it water once a month about 8 oz. The leaves started to become thin and wrinkled. we increased the water to about 12 oz. It has a double trunk. One side has branches falling off and the stems are soaked and black inside where this happened. We stopped watering it, cut off the rotted parts. Its been 3 months, and parts are still collapsing and falling off. Each of the main trunks are 6-8 inches in diameter and are strong and firm. We were told the plant was almost 100 years old. We don't know when it was last re potted. We don't know what to do. Please help.

Answer
Brenda,

That is not nearly enough water for that size jade. The branches are withering. When you water any plant you need to water it enough so that all the soil is wet and some goes in the drain tray beneath the plant. An hour later empty the drain tray using a turkey baster so it is not sitting in a swamp.

Then wait to water it again until the soil is dry at least 2/3rds of the way down. You can use a water meter that you can find in many garden centers or online. Or you can get a bamboo skewer that you would use to make shish kabobs and insert it into the soil so only a 1/2 inch sticks up out of the soil.  When you think that the jade needs watered you can pull out the skewer and see if it is dry 2/3rds of the way down. If it is then it is time to water it. If it is not wait a few more days and check it again.

The plant needs to be in a location where it gets at least 4-5 hours of sun on a sunny day. The window covering needs to be open from dawn to dusk. Jades are sun lovers. Since it was so dry for so long the water veins in parts of the plant may have collapsed so some parts may keep falling off but you should soon see signs of new growth with more water and lots of sun.
It must be in a pot with drainage holes and a drain tray under it. If it is not let me know and it will have to be repotted. If the pot has drainage holes it will not need repotting for several years. It is a very difficult plant to repot and it can remain in the same pot for many years.

I live near Fort Wayne, IN. If you are close to me I would be happy to take a look at the plant for you. Follow my instructions and the plant will thrive. I have several different types of jades. Good luck.

Darlene