Question
7-20-07
I have a jade plant that is 2 years old and it is roughly 16" tall and 16" wide. It was in a small 8" square pot and just transplanted it into way to big of a pot (16")two months ago. Thought this way I wouldn't have to re-pot for many years. The plant was extremely healthy, no issues. I think I may have over watered? I watered it twice within a month not really thinking the moisture that the pot along with the jade holds. I also had it out in the direct sunlight for one day after re-potting to give it a little treat since it's always indoors next to a window getting direct sunlight for half the day. I accidently sprayed the leaves while I was watering and left it in the sunlight. Now there are burnt marks on some of the leaves which formed about a week and a half after having it outside. It looks like someone actually held a lighter under the leaf and lit it on fire. It is so brown, it's crispy and really thin. Not burnt on the edges either. It is burning from the inside out towards the edge of the leaves. So, on 7-17-07 i re-potted in a 10" shallow pot and have not watered it now for a few weeks. Still looks like some of the leaves are turning brown and a few more leaves are getting the burnt look. Is it sun burnt, over watered or ? Can you help me out? Thank you very much and sorry for the long e-mail.

Answer
Hi Brenden,

Welcome to the School of Hard Knocks! You certainly are learning the hard way. But you have lots of company.

First, never repot a plant that is healthy and doing well.

Second, when you do repot never go up more than one size at a time.

Third, a Jade the size of yours could have stayed in that pot for as long as you were able to keep it alive.

Fourth, never place an indoor plant outside in the direct sun. Outdoor sunlight is more than 100 times more intense than indoor light. Water droplets on the leaves in direct sun magnify the intensity of the light and heat and will burn leaves permanently.

The problem with a pot that is too large is that all of the extra soil retains moisture like a giant sponge for a very long time. Plant roots need a period of drying (so they can get oxygen) every 1-2 weeks or they will begin to rot. That is particularly true of succulents, such as Jade.

Undoubtedly, the sun caused some of the leaf damage that you are seeing. Those leaves will not recover and you should remove them.

Of greater concern is the condition of the roots. There is a very good chance that they suffered substantial damage during the two months they were surrounded by wet soil. If so, it will be very difficult to get the roots to recover and it will take a very long time.

You should unpot again and remove all of the soil that you added around the original 8" square rootball. Put the Jade back into its original pot. Keep the plant on a sunny windowsill. Allow the soil to dry out half way down into the pot before adding any water. It should dry out this deep into the pot within 10-14 days. If it takes longer, then there is a very good chance the plant will not recover. If entire stems start to fall off, that is another symptom of seriously damaged roots.

Good luck and please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions. If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.

Visit my website at  www.HorticulturalHelp.com
  
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]