59) Jade Bonsai, Afircan Jade or Crassula Ovata Bonsai - Tropical Bonsai Trees for Beginners

Описание: The Jade Bonsai or Crassula ovata is an ideal Bonsai Tree for Beginners it is forgiving and can tolerate the occasional 'I forgot to water by bonsai' syndrome. It grows very well indoors and can loves a sunny window ledge. Its succulent leaves help store water when there is abundance of water and release it when there is not too much around. It hates the cold especially the frost and can die almost instantly if exposed to a night of frost.
African Jade tree or Crassula Ovata is its scientific name. The Jade tree is considered an auspicious tree in many parts of the world. It brings to grow a health, wealth and vitality. They're grown, they’re native to Mozambique and Southern Africa where they can grow to three metres tall. They’re known as elephant plants out there because the elephants love eating the succulent leaves. They make large to medium informal style bonsais.

In the UK and Europe, they grow indoors. They like a bright window. They can be grown well in conservatories. If you’re growing them outdoors, make sure you bring them back indoors from October onwards or as soon as temperatures start falling below 6 degrees in the evening.

They’re best watered on the lighter side so don't water too much. They can get their water from the air. It’s best not to water too much though even if you water them, they can take the watering because they are trained to collect the water and store it in their leaves, so they can become quite big and bulky. So if you don't want your leaves to become too big and bulky, don't water too much.

Feed is not such a big deal because they can fix their feed from the atmosphere but if you’re going to feed them, use a balanced feed and feed once every couple of months, that’s more than enough.

Pruning. Carry out structural pruning during the warmer times of the year. It’s a fast-growing species so if you want to keep it in check, just pinch the growing leaves or pinch the beginning of the growing shoots. That will contain it.

They like to be repotted when the temperature is on the warm side so Spring, late Summer is a good time to repot and then when it’s repotted, remember don't water it. Just let it be for a week or so without being watered. It'll help the roots settle.

It’s best not to wire the Jade tree. To shape it, just use the clip and grow method.