How to cultivate Jade Tree
Let's talk about how to cultivate Jade Tree and the knowledge of planting methods and techniques related to this plant. Here is a detailed introduction.
To cultivate Jade Tree well, it is necessary to care for it according to its living habits. In spring, when the buds sprout, you need to pinch the top of the Jade Tree to prevent excessive growth, and perform a second topping based on its growth condition. As a evergreen small shrub, Jade Tree prefers warm and dry environments, is not cold-resistant but slightly shade-tolerant, and dislikes strong light but enjoys ample sunshine. During daily maintenance, ensure sufficient lighting conditions and keep the environmental temperature between 20~30°C. During the growing period, water every 2~3 days and fertilize 2~3 times a month. Note that in summer, increase the watering frequency, and in winter, reduce the amount of water appropriately. In addition, pruning should be done according to the age of the tree.
I. Topping Methods for Jade Tree
1. First topping
Jade Tree is an ornamental plant, and to enhance its ornamental value, topping is essential. When the Jade Tree grows to 8~10 centimeters, the first topping can begin to control its height and prevent excessive growth.
2. Second topping
After the first topping, the lateral buds start to grow, and the branches and leaves become denser, making the plant vigorous. To achieve the desired shape, one topping is not enough. Multiple toppings, including two or three, or even more, are needed to make the Jade Tree have numerous branches and dense green leaves, which helps control the growth direction of the branches.
3. Topping method
Topping involves removing the top leaves and tender buds to direct more nutrients to the lateral buds, allowing them to grow horizontally and making the plant round and full.
II. Cultivation Methods and Precautions
1. Sunlight
Jade Tree is shade-tolerant but afraid of strong light. In summer, it should be placed in a semi-shaded area or shaded by 50% to make the leaf color more beautiful. In spring and autumn, direct sunlight should be provided for the Jade Tree to accumulate nutrients through photosynthesis. In winter, it can be kept in a bright place indoors.
2. Temperature
The suitable growth temperature for Jade Tree is 20~30°C, making spring and autumn more suitable for its growth. High temperatures can accelerate the aging of Jade Tree, so shading should be done in summer; while in winter, low temperatures can slow down its growth, and below 5°C, it may enter dormancy. Therefore, it is suitable to keep it indoors with a temperature of 7~10°C.
3. Water
Jade Tree does not require much water. During the growing period, water every 2~3 days to keep the soil moderately moist. However, the amount of water should be controlled; too much can cause root rot, and too little can lead to dry potting soil and accelerate leaf drop. In summer, with indoor ventilation and cooling, more water can be provided to promote growth; in winter, reduce the watering frequency to once every 7~10 days.
4. Fertilizer
Jade Tree likes fertilizer but does not have high requirements. Moderate fertilization can promote its growth. During the growing period, top-dressing with decomposed fertilizer or cake fertilizer is suitable, with a frequency of 2~3 times a month. It should be noted that the fertilizer should not be too strong to avoid the plant from growing too tall and losing its round shape.
5. Pruning
Jade Tree pruning can be done according to personal preference and tree age. For younger trees with lush canopies, cut off the long branches and overlapping ones to achieve a round shape; for older trees with sparse canopies and thicker branches, prune the disorderly branches to achieve a tree-like bonsai.
6. Precautions
Jade Tree should not be exposed to direct sunlight, as strong light can burn the leaves, causing them to wilt and turn yellow. In seasons with more rain, timely drainage is necessary to prevent waterlogging.
When pruning, also remove withered and diseased branches and ensure good ventilation to prevent disease infection. In winter, it can be placed on a sunny balcony, rotating the pot every 30 days to maintain even sunlight.
The above is an introduction to how to cultivate Jade Tree and its planting methods and techniques for reference.