When to Slim Roots for a Jade Bonsai
The jade plant (Crassula ovata), an evergreen succulent plant indigenous to South Africa, does not want large amounts of water and can be kept indoors for most of the year. Jade plants are recommended to beginners as easy bonsai due to the lenient maintenance requirements, but the roots of a jade bonsai may be sensitive to above pruning.
Root Pruning
Bonsai trees are not starved to keep them little. They are often watered and fertilized, but their branches and roots have been pruned to train their development into a little form. Through pruning during the repotting process, the roots have been encouraged to become fine and dense close to the back so that they can get all the nutrients they need in their small pot. Older roots which have grown thick away from the back are cut first, while new roots are mostly preserved.
Pruning Jade Roots
Prune the roots while you’re repotting the bonsai. The roots of the jade bonsai can be sensitive to excess root pruning, so when the plants are young, just repot after every two years, and every three to five years when old. Be careful not to remove more than one-third of the main density and disturb as several of the new roots as possible. Always eliminate all signs of root decay and dead roots.
Watering the Jade
Most bonsai should be watered consistently to keep your soil moist. When watering the jade bonsai, permit the soil to dry before you water it. If the soil is kept too moist, the tree will not develop a large enough root system to support its burden due to the massive quantity of water stored in the succulent’s leaves. Watering may be left till the leaves begin to wrinkle slightly from dessication.
Root Rot
Jade bonsai are subject to root rot when the growing medium isn’t well-draining. This is a complication that may lead to death of the bonsai tree. Too much water will displace air from the ground, which can destroy the roots. If pathogenic bacteria or fungi are present, they can invade the dead roots and also cause damage to the tree. When you are repotting, if you find roots which are dark, delicate and fall apart easily, cut them off and replace the soil.