Beautiful, Unique, Relaxing
Jade Bonsai General Information
The Jade Bonsai Tree is a great tree to maintain because of it's unique looks. It's waxy leaves and thick trunk make it unlike any other bonsai out there. Like most other bonsais the Jade is an indoor plant and cannot survive in temperatures below 45F. So if you plan to keep your bonsai outside you are going to want to look for a different variety unless you weather stays warm enough.
Jade Bonsai Care
A Jade Bonsai Tree is best suited to be kept in an area that provides ample sunlight. While they can survive in low light areas it adds extra stress to the tree as it is always trying to absorb as much light as possible. An abundant supply of sunlight will ensure that your bonsai gets the proper amount of nutrients that it needs to grow strong.
Most people will tell you that bonsais don't do well when you try to reduce the trunk, fortunately the Jade Bonsai is able to accommodate very well. It will usually heal itself in as little as 1 week
but normally takes around 2 weeks. As most people want to train their tree into a desired shape, you have to remember that should you try to bend too far the bark can end up breaking. If you would like to train your tree a smooth subtle path is the best way to make sure that it isn't injured in the process.Due to the fact that the tree's leaves and trunk hold so much water it is very easy to over water the tree. Before you water your bonsai you want to check the soil, go below the surface and make sure that it is completely dry. If it is still moist to the touch, wait a day or two to check it again and then water it. While during the summer months you may find you water the tree quite often (depending upon where you have it placed) the winter months will see a decrease in watering. Not only due to the fact that there is less sunlight and that your bonsai doesn't require as much sunlight, but also because the tree goes into a dormant state. Sort of like how a bear goes into hibernation, ya know?
A mix of about 75% inorganic material such as grit and the remaining 25% organic or peat compost will suit your bonsai quite well for soil. You will also need to provide it with a balanced fertilizer to ensure that it is receiving the proper amount of nutrients.
Tools For Maintaining Your Bonsai
Pruners, Cutters, Hooks and More!
Concave Pruner

A must have tool for keeping a bonsai. Able to cut branches in a specific way that promotes the wound to heal quickly and properly.
Wire Cutters

Wire is used to train your bonsai tree to grow in a certain shape. The wire cutters allow you to remove the wire from the tree after it has grown and can support it's own weight. The cutters are specially designed to cause a minimal amount of damage if any to the tree.
Bud Scissors

Used for trimming buds, leaves and branches the bud scissors allow for maximum cutting power while ensuring that adjacent leaves and branches go unharmed.
Root Hooks

The root hook allows you to break up the soil and easily remove tangled roots.
Knob Cutter

The knob cutter is the least used tool of the whole bunch. It's main use is to remove protruding stubs and also excels at shaping the contour of the trunk or branch. It also works very well at quickly removing unwanted wood from your bonsai.
If you are just starting out in bonsai, the concave pruner and bud scissors will give you enough to work with. While there is nothing saying that you can't have the other tools, they are more suited towards professional bonsai keepers.
More Information About The Jade Plant
Commonly known as jade plant, friendship tree, lucky plant or Money Plant, Crassula ovata is a succulent plant with small pink or white flowers. It is native to South Africa, and is common as a houseplant worldwide. It is sometimes referred to as the money tree; however, the tree Pachira aquatica is also so called.
Jades are evergreen plants with thick branches and smooth, rounded, fleshy leaves that grow in opposing pairs along the branches. Leaves are a rich jade green; some varieties may develop a red tinge on the edges of leaves when exposed to high levels of sunlight. New stem growth is the same color and texture as the leaves, but becomes brown and woody with age. Under the right conditions, they may produce small white or pink star like flowers in early spring.
The jade plant lends itself easily to the bonsai form and is popular as an indoor bonsai.
Beautiful Blossoms
Small clusters of bright white flowers appear during the later months of the year in late September and early October. To ensure that your tree blossoms to it's full potential make sure that you place it in an area that receives plenty of natural sunlight.
Many keepers have found that you can encourage blossoming by withholding watering. As the days grow shorter continue cutting back on watering and allow the plant to get used to the cool nights. If you happen to water too much during this time of the year or the night temperatures are too warm you will find that your jade bonsai may not even bloom at all.
Your First Bonsai
A great resource with plenty of helpful information.
Help!! Someone Just Gave Me A Bonsai Tree!! is a great resource that covers the basics of keeping a bonsai. You can learn things such as
- Where to keep your bonsai
- Why, how and when to repot your bonsai
- Cures for commons pests and diseases
The book provides 7 simple steps that if you follow will ensure that your bonsai tree remains healthy and well.
Other Types of Bonsai
While the Jade Bonsai Tree is beautiful by itself, there are many other types of bonsai that are just as stunning.
Bonsai Tree News
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by JarretC
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