Tips for making Jade Leaf Bonsai

Preparation method

Plant selection

If you want to make a beautiful Jade Plant bonsai, first you need a plant with thicker branches. Generally, such plants need to live for 3 to 4 years before they can be shaped. If you have enough time and patience to wait, you might as well try to grow a pot of cuttings at home. You can basically start shaping it in 2 years.

Potting method

The Jade Plant bonsai does not need to change the soil every year, so before shaping the bonsai, you should choose a pot with good air permeability and loose, fertile soil, and apply well-rotted thin liquid fertilizer 3 to 4 times a year. After a few years, if you feel that the plant is growing poorly, repot it.

When potting, be careful to minimize plant injuries, and then place it in a cool place and repot it for a period of time. For novice growers, try to bury 2/3 of the rhizomes in the soil and try bare-root cultivation. It is simple to operate, low-cost, and will not destroy the original shape of the plant. It is a good way for novices to grow Jade Plant bonsai.

Bonsai shaping method

Natural form

Pruning is done according to the natural form of the Jade Tree, and the branches and leaves are cut into cloud shapes, which are like miniature trees in nature. Or leave the top of the plant high, of varying sizes, with an outline that looks like a melon seed. It is also more visually impactful. However, try to avoid cutting the plants into round or square shapes, as that will make them look very dull.

Slanted dry form

During the pruning process, the main trunk is consciously tilted to one side, usually with a slight bend, and the branches and leaves are spread flat around the outside of the flowerpot. The entire shape appears thrilling but stable. This kind of tree shape is vivid and lifelike, combining movement and stillness. But in the process of styling, pay attention to the weight. The branches of the Jade Plant are relatively brittle, so you should proceed step by step and not apply too much pressure at the end, which may cause the branches to break.