Question
My jade
I've had my jade plant in the same dirt since it was a baby jade (2 leaves). Now it is about 12 inches in height and has 20 leaves. The other day i came to work and saw that there were 2 small mushrooms in the soil. Should I re-pot the plant? It looks healthy and happy.
AnswerHi Gina,
No, your Jade does not need to be repotted. Why? Because it is healthy and happy. If you are concerned about the mushrooms, understand that they are not harmful to your Jade. Gently pull up the mushroom and its roots and any others that may emerge later. Allow the soil to dry out deeper into the pot before watering. More sun and better air circulation will also help deter mushroom growth.
Your Jade does need to be pruned back. If left unpruned, it will continue to grow ever taller and is unlikely to ever branch out. From the photo, it looks like the stem has already become top heavy and in need of propping. This problem will only increase if you don't prune and after a while you will have to use increasingly taller stakes.
I would suggest pruning off approximately the top half. Let the cutting heal in the open air overnight, then insert it into the same pot. Then you will have two stems together and that will help fill out the pot. The original stem will push out new growth from just below where you make the pruning cut. It may even put out two new branches. In 3-6 months you will have a much shorter, fuller and more compact Jade Plant - and no supports.
For the future, I suggest pruning anytime a stem can no longer support itself. As long as there is a little space, keep adding cuttings to the existing pot.
If you are squeamish about pruning, and you shouldn't be, then as an alternative you can pinch out the newest leaves as soon as they are large enough to pinch. Constant pinching sometimes causes the stem to send out a secondary branch, as well as keeping the plant from getting taller. But I still think pruning is preferable.
If you increase the direct sunlight for your Jade, the stems will grow thicker and sturdier and will be better able to support themselves.
As for repotting, avoid it as long as you can. When the ratio of roots to soil is such that a thorough watering is required more than twice per week, then move it into a pot one size larger. Use a potting mix that is half standard potting mix and half Cactus potting mix.
I have written an article on Jade Plants that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at
[email protected].
Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.
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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC
