Question
QUESTION: i have been asked to repot 3 very mature jade plants, also known as money trees. They came from a nursery and have lived outdoors in Melbourne Australia for their life. Our climate ranges from 45degrees in summer to about 10 degrees in winter, and down to 4degrees over night. Unfortunately for these plants they now have to live indoors... Two of them are single stemmed, but the other in multi branched. All are in 30cm pots and stand about 1.5 meters high. Huge things really. I am afraid of snapping limbs, but also wonder what their water and nutrient needs are. I am an out door gardener and am perplexed by indoor plants. Cheers, elizabeth

ANSWER: Hello Elizabeth, You are the first person in Australia to have contacted me!  I think you are going to need some help when you repot your three plants especially the biggest one.  One person to hang on to the plant whilst the other removes the pot etc.  The new pots should be 2cms in diameter larger than the old ones.  I would suggest that you let the compost dry out before you repot them as it will be far easier to remove them from the pots than if the compost is wet and heavy.

Don't be upset if some leaves fall off when you are doing this, or indeed stems as you can then have some new plants growing!  Let the leaves or cuttings dry out for a few days before inserting in compost.  Water them sparingly - there is no need to cover with glass or polythene.

What a shame that the plants have to be indoors all the time as they do appreciate fresh air and some sunshine, but perhaps they can be placed near a south facing window or French doors.  During the winter yes of course they need to be indoors as the outside temperature is too cold for them.  They should be kept cool during the winter when they are resting.  

As regards water, water thoroughly when the compost begins to dry out - that's in the warm weather but in the winter once every 4 to 8 weeks will be enough. If you notice the leaves beginning to shrivel that is a sign to water them and fast!!!  They will soon plump out again. In the summer you can add plant food to the water.

Please don't feel perplexed - succulents are some of the easiest plants to grow and I am sure you will soon get the hang of it.

Wish I could see your garden!  Good Luck  Diana

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QUESTION: Is home made compost the right thing to repot them jade plants into? It is rich and heavy. Should I mix it with something lighter? Also, just to clarify, the temperature range I gave you is in Celcius, and luckily for the plants they will be facing a large east window. Perhaps I can get them wheeled out side occassionally for some sun and fresh air. Also, how fragile are the roots? Are they as snappy as the branches appear to be? Must I loosen the soil around them or straighen them out if they've grown around the inside of the pot? Thanks again, Elizabeth in Australlia

Answer
Hello Elizabeth,

I would not use home made compost as it may well contain pests which will flourish in the warmer indoor conditions.  I would use a bought potting compost. If you can get the plants outside in the summer I am sure they would benefit enormously just like we do!

Ref the roots I really don't know what they are like - I'm sorry - you will have to play it by ear - if they look snappy like the branches and leaves I would leave well alone, if they look fine then you can tease out some roots as you would do with other plants.  But don't disturb them too much.  If the plant really needs repotting there probably won't be much earth in the root ball in any case.  As you are a gardener I am sure you have empathy will all sorts of plants and will know instinctively what to do for the best.

If in the case of the largest of your three plants you feel it is too difficult to repot then remove approximately two inches of the top soil and replace with new compost - this should be done every Spring.
Good luck once again!  Diana in Spain