It is usually not necessary to defoliate Portulacaria Their roots will rot if left wet for long periods of

because of the size of their leaves. If you are grow- time.

ing a small shohin and wish to reduce the size of it’s
Dwarf Jade Care Sheet
Design and Styling: This plant adapts to any style
leaves it can be done the same as with other bonsai
including cascades and forest plantings. It is not
except that you must allow the soil to become dry
practical to style the tree with long horizontal
before you remove all the leaves. After the leaves branches as they tend to droop because of their
have been removed place the plant in a semi-
weight. This characteristic makes them excellent
shaded location and do not water it until new
plants for full cascades.
growth begins.
Insects / Pests: Scale will wreak havoc on a jade.
Root rot can also develop when the tree is watered
too frequently with not enough light. The tree will
show stress from both scale and root rot by drop-
ping leaves and branches. The plant will defoliate if
sprayed with a petroleum based pesticide. If you
find insects on your plant try washing them off with
water from your garden hose to control them. If
you need insecticides use one that is not petroleum
based.
Propagation: This is one of the easiest plants to
reproduce. If any of the trimmings that you remove
from your tree are left on the soil they will root in a
few weeks. Large cuttings can also be rooted. It is
better to allow the cuttings to dry for a day before
placing them in the rooting medium. Keep them in
a semi-shaded location until rooted. Does not need
higher temps to root. Will root when temps are in
the low 50’s. Large cuttings can be trimmed and
shaped into a bonsai style, then rooted in a bonsai
pot using your regular bonsai soil for an instant
bonsai. Group plantings can also be created this Brought to you by
way. S & S Bonsai of Colorado Springs, Colorado
(Most of the included information is obtained from several
Repotting: Spring is the best time to repot but it online sources.)
can be done at any time if given proper aftercare. It
is important that you allow the soil to become dry
before repotting or severely pruning the top. Do
not water until new growth appears. Keep it in a
semi-shaded location until new growth begins, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if
you were to live forever.”
then place it in it’s normal location.
—Mahatma Gandhi—
Jade will do well in most bonsai soil mixes, but pre-
fer those that are very well draining. Your soil mix
should have less organic materials and no peat.
 The Dwarf Jade source of food and moisture in the wild because such fast growers they will need to be fertilized
elephants, sheep, goats and other creatures more often than you do with your other bonsai to
munch their way through its dense thickets. maintain a dark green foliage. Do not fertilize dur-
(Portulacaria afra) ing the winter months as it only likes to be fertil-
ized in the spring and summer
General Information: Portulacaria afra, also CARE
called Elephant plant or Small-leaf jade. Portu- Pruning / Training: It is very hard to train a small
lacaria afra are excellent bonsai for beginners Temperature: As they are a tropical succulent, Por- leaf jade by wiring branches. Their branches tend
and their ability to conform to most bonsai tulacaria afra do best in zones 10-11, but will also to be very brittle and might snap under the pres-
styles make them popular with enthusiasts as grow in most areas where they won't be exposed sure. Pruning in the direction of preferred growth
well. They are great for beginners because they to temperatures below 50°F. Portulacaria will toler- and pinching is more effective. Do not prune im-
grow very quickly, can be kept indoors, and can ate a variety of growing conditions. Like all tropi- mediately after watering. This plant tolerates dras-
go a long time without needing water, up to 4 cals it must be protected from long periods of cold tic pruning if you allow the soil to dry completely
weeks. This is because succulents store water in temperatures. Freezing temperatures will destroy before removing large branches and roots.
their stems and leaves. They also give clear signs this succulent plant. Cuts flat with the bark are reported to heal with
when they need water which is helpful to those Lighting: Portulacaria afra can be grown both in- less scarring than concave.
just starting out with bonsai growing. doors and outdoors. If grown indoors they like be- The branches will naturally droop from the weight
A fleshy, soft, woody shrub or small tree from 9 ing close to a natural light source. Placement near of the water they store in there leaves. Many peo-
feet to 12 feet tall. Often sprawling; occurring on an open window usually works best. If this is not ple take advantage of this characteristic by train-
dry rocky hillsides and in succulent scrub. The possible then keeping them in a room that has ing them into cascade styles.
bark is green when young, becoming red-brown bright fluorescent lights usually works as well. If
Refinement is achieved by removing the terminal
to slate grey, and smooth with conspicuous leaf you are using florescent grow lights it is important
bud from any branch that you do not wish to grow
scars. to place the light very close to the bonsai. When
longer. Since the leaves are opposite and each set
kept outdoors they tend to grow very fast in full
Leaves are simple, opposite, almost circular, of consecutive leaves rotate 90°, it is possible to
sun.
about 1/2” in diameter. refine the tree by pinching and removing those
Watering: One needs to be careful about over- buds and branches that are not growing where
Flowers are small, star shaped; sepals 2; petals
watering jade. Although the plant is a succulent it is you wish. You can control the direction of growth
5, pale pink to purplish; stamens 5 to 7.
not as particular about over-watering as most by pinching back to a set of leaves that are grow-
Since Portulacaria is native to South Africa, it will other succulents. If the soil you are using drains ing in the direction you wish the branch to grow.
not be possible for most people to find large old well you shouldn’t have any problems, always allow
specimens to collect but pre-bonsai are available the soil to approach dryness before watering. When creating shohin you sometimes need to
from bonsai dealers that sell tropical plants. shorten a branch to a vertical set of leaves. In or-
One of the good things about them is they give you der to get the horizontal growth we need it is nec-
When looking at an untrained plant in a nursery
clear signs about when they actually need to be essary to rotate the vertical pair of leaves 90°. A
it may be difficult for the beginner to visualize a
watered. Their leaves will begin to flatten and then few turns of 1 mm wire at the tip of the branch
finished bonsai in this tangled mess of branches;
wrinkle. and a 90° twist of the last set of leaves will accom-
but after the unneeded branches are removed
you can always find an interesting trunk line. Fertilizing: The plant will develop very fast when plish this.
given proper care, which includes heavy applica- Pinching is the key to the refinement of any bon-
Sometimes referred to as the “money plant”,
tions of fertilizer. No special fertilizer is required; sai; since Portulacaria is fast growing it must be
South Africans have a saying: “as long as your
any balanced formula will be satisfactory. When performed on a regular schedule during the grow-
Spekboom (Elephant Bush) grows and prospers,
repotting use a slow release fertilizer which can be ing season. Usually once a week is sufficient for
so will your finances.” Fortunately, this branch-
mixed in the soil, this can be supplemented with large bonsai, shohin might need pinching twice a
ing bonsai will thrive to a ripe old age with very
liquid 20-20-20 as needed. Since these plants are week.
little care. This lovely succulent is an important