Question
QUESTION: My large jade 5" diameter trunk and about 3.5 feet tall is outside under a very small covered porch in our backyard.  The frost got it and I have been removing rotted limbs as necessary and covering it in the mean time...only frosty nights.(the frost attack was an accident)  we put up plastic around 2/3 of porch to help protect, but I still cover it.  Im in California by the way - 45 mi north of San Francisco.  Im pretty sure its getting little sun - but Im at a loss as to where else I can put it for now due to the risk- the frost will kill it if I forget again.   I believe with the opaque plastic it filters the sun even more.  Then, before reading up, I watered - I havent watered much, but based on what Ive read, I am not watering til April now!  It's incredibly heavy and takes two people to move it - help... this plant not only has sentimental value, but I love it like crazy and it's about 10 years old.  Will it survive until spring as long as I cover and don't water?  Also, you touch the brances and the leaves pop off - lots!  Im guessing it's from low sun?  (I can send you a picture.)  There is however new growth underneath and at the tips of some of the sick branches (droopy) and the ones where the leave fell off.. never been transplanted either - and I Just checked - it's damp and the soil is heavy.  Is transplanting an option too?

ANSWER: Mary,

It cannot be transplanted right now, it should wait until after April 1st when the days are longer. You do need to inspect it for insects. Look for signs of mealy bugs, they would look like little bits of cotton balls stuck to the plant where the leaves join the branches. If you see those that is what is causing the leaves to fall off so easily. You could also have scale insects which would look like little brown or black dots on the backs of the leaves. They never move but there are tiny insects under that scaly spot sucking on the leaf.  If you find either insect do not use an insecticide, use rubbing alcohol on a Q-tip and flick each insect off or if there ore too many put alcohol in a spray bottle and spray twice a week for a month. It will not hurt the plant and it will kill the insects and any eggs that hatch. You have to be persistant to kill the insects that hatch from eggs.

As for the light, yes that can be a big part of your problem. It would be very beneficial if you could put a lamp inside the plastic with a flourescent bulb or hang a flourescent fixture from the porch ceiling to shine on the plant for 14 hours a day. As long as it is flourescent it will not use that much electricity and your plant needs more light. It would also help keep it warm on a cold night.

It does need some water but should not be watered until it is very very dry. Get some long bamboo skewers at the grocery like you would use for shish kabobs and insert one in the soil all the way. Do not water the plant until you can pull the skewer out and it is dry all but the bottom 2 inches. Then water it. Do not leave any water in the drain tray. Empty it an hour after you water the plant with a turkey baster. The plant can't stand to sit with water in the drain tray for a week. It is not a swamp plant.

When you do repot it use a mix of 1 part potting soil, 1 part play sand (available at Lowes or Builders Square), and 1 part perlite. That will give it a fast draining soil that will support the plant.
If you have more question feel free to write again. Good luck.

Darlene

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: That was such a great help, thank you so much.  So to follow up, there is no "cotton balls" where the leaves are connected, and the there are black spots, but not scales.  It looks more like the leaf has freckles-or black mold-but it's a part of the leaf.  Is that what you meant?  The leaves are also very dark green.  We cleaned it up, and some of the new growth is curled at the end.  There is, however, good drainage, and we will not transplant til later.  I also took the plastic down, but will put it back up if the frost gets bad and then we are planning on rigging up a light.

ANSWER: Mary,

Great, it is good that there is no scale or mealy bugs. The spots are coming from the frost and the overwatering. Keep the plant as warm as possible and dryer and it will improve. Does it get at least a little actual sun in the morning or evening? In other words does the porch face east or west so it is in the sun part of the day? Jades do not like hot sun all day but do benefit from some morning or evening sun if at all possible. Keep it dryer and protect it from that frost and the curling leaves will clear up also. Good luck.

Darlene

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I am going to move it to a different part of the yard and create some sort of temporary shelter or a set up that I can cover it form hard rain and frost - it does not seemto get morning sun this time of year but in the summer it does, it has been cloudy so I will monitor and either put up a light or move it and create a shelter.  You have been such a great help - thank you so much and thank you for being so accessible

Answer
Mary,

That would be wise, it neeeds protection from too much rain and definitely from frost but it does need sun either in the morning or evening but not in the heat of the day or it will get sunburned. You are welcome. If I can help you in the future feel free to write again. Good luck.

Darlene