AusBonsai

Hi guys, i bought this big beauty at the local markets this morningits a 50+ years Jade plant. Sorry i do not know the botanical name for it. I just dont know where to start with it and am hoping for a few inspirational ideas to get me started. This jade is 650mm wide at the nebari and stands 340mm high. As on the first picture, this is chosen as the front view unless otherwise perswaded. sorry for some of the pictures are a bit out of focus.
I look forwards to hearing all your advice . cheers!

I have almost bought a few of these from garage sales but was unsure how they could be cut back. Recently it was stated somewhere that you can chop them back just as you would a deciduous and they back bud so I might grab the next one I see.

The pity here I think is that it looks like most of the tree has to go to create a bonsai. I would chop something like I have indicated and then let it grow back while you look for a new line.
Not sure how these layer so I am thinking your best bet would be to use your succulent propagating skills to see if you can get the top half to form roots.

i dont think you would need to layer it, you could basically chop it where you want and put it in a sandy propagating mix and it should strike, i dont think you would need to water, these things are nearly indestructable, you onlyt water once every blue moon and only enough to wet the soil, the amount of water they hold is unbeleivable, you can even get them to shoot where you want by pressing into the bark and marking it to the cambium layer and they will throw a new leaf which will eventually turn into a new branch.

thats what i know of them anyways


jamie

They will strike in just about anything!
Cut them off ans chuck in a pot with something, Keep moist, and you will have roots in a couple of weeks

When you do cut back they will die back to the next "ring" and then heal and shoot everywhere

Ken