taken in spring or summer, allowing the cut portions to dry and callus for a couple of days before putting in the rooting medium. If every eight days is the amount you gave it in winter, it will need more in the spring/summer as the tree is more active. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Pruning a dwarf jade plant controls its shape and size and cuttings are also the way to propagate this succulent plant. Nell Foster says. As explained above, trees will concentrate most growth on the top and outer parts of its stems; it is important to prune these growth areas regularly to encourage growth closer to the inner parts of the tree. Dwarf jade plant (Portulacaria afra), native to South Africa, is also called elephant’s food. In nature, the species grows to 13 feet in height, but it is generally much smaller under cultivation. Place the cutting in a moderately lit area where temperatures are at least 65 F (18 C). Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 110,815 times. Negative: On Jun 14, 2013, cactusmother from Scottsdale, AZ wrote: Help! The key is to prune the roots and the foliage to keep the plant looking dwarfed. If you decide to trim roots, trim the air roots. The practice used for pruning juniper bonsai trees is known as finger pinching. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Pruning is necessary when growing the dwarf jade plant as a bonsai. My golden gate tree has some yellow leaves. The water retention makes the tree limbs heavy which naturally bends the trunk and branches. I didn't know what to do with it untill I saw your post. Cuttings root rather easily too – a small section cut off just below the node (bottom leaves then removed) and planted – and watered well for the first few days too – will grow quickly. If a plant bleeds white, then the substance being released is latex. Trim your spekboom bonsai into a tree shape by removing branches and leaves that clutter the style you desire. Cut the branch off with a knife, making the cut even with the surface of the trunk. If you want some thin branches to thicken, then don't trim them. Simply cut or break off a piece of a spekboom, let it dry out for one or two days and then stick it in the ground. Examine the dwarf jade plant and locate a branch at least 3 inches long and 2 inches wide that will not be noticed when missing. In this case, 92% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. However, the flowers are not why we grow the spekboom. The steps below will help you to understanding the process of trimming and shaping your bonsai into a beautiful work of art. Keep reading to learn about creating a cascade bonsai. I'm kinda looking to do the same. The pruning techniques for bonsai not only reduce the size of the plant but strive to mimic the natural forms of the trees that grew in the mountainous, harsh regions where bonsai originated.. One of these popular forms is the cascade bonsai. Don't cut the lower branches or clear leaves from the ground beneath: this hinders successful … What is the best way to prune? It responds well to pruning and grows densely, making it an excellent, hardy screen or hedge. Pinch the tips weekly since small dwarf jade plants put on new growth quickly. Research on the species of your Bonsai and see when it is safe to transplant it. If the plant is young, then a piece less than 2 inches wide will work. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Spekboom is a really versatile plant Whether you are looking for a plant that can be turned into a hedge or a bonsai, or used as groundcover or a large bush, spekboom can do it all. Insert the cutting into a box or container, filled with about 3 inches (8 cm) of moistened pure builder's sand, vermiculite, or perlite. 08/10/2020 at 7:43 pm. The elephant bush is a bush-like succulent plant that grows in a variety of sizes depending on its environment. All About Growing Portulacaria afra. Pruning: It’s really easy to prune your Spekboom when the stems get particularly long to keep it looking neat. It varies from species to species. Karen Carter spent three years as a technology specialist in the public school system and her writing has appeared in the "Willapa Harbor Herald" and the "Rogue College Byline." Do not seal the cuts with any chemicals; the dwarf jade will form calluses over the cuts within a couple of days. Place the cut end of the branch halfway in a small container filled with 2 parts sand and 1 part potting soil. They may also root in water. Pretty darn amazing! Before and … This article has been viewed 110,815 times. Cut them slanted so the plant can receive lots of nutrition and water. For example, leave branches in place on thinner areas of the trunk to help thicken it. Thank you for the information! For aesthetic reasons, you will want to remove any branches that will clutter and cloud the tree's artistic line. You can't shape a jade. The art of bonsai lies primarily in the grower's ability to shape the tree in order to contain and direct its growth. Learn more... Bonsai is the Japanese practice of growing miniature trees in small containers. Remove all but two to four of the leaves near the top of the cutting. However, we, as bonsai lovers, would love to read more in detail about the pruning and trimming of a, "Trimming branches and roots is species specific and environment must be very carefully considered to be successful. Does it need to be pruned? Gather a 2- to 4-inch-long stem with healthy foliage at the tip and a sturdy stem. Dwarf jade cuttings root quickly without callusing or using root hormone. If you want it to trail, start by prune … Pruning and wiring: Because the Jade tree is a succulent, it retains water in its trunk and branches. #3 It is Water-wise and Super Resilient. ). Elephant bush is well suited to growing in a hanging or elevated container. All clippings can be turned into new trees – Spekboom forms it’s own micro-climate under its protective thicket It seems the drier it is, the more it blooms. Let the soil around the base of the plant dry out. Planted in the ground and allowed to grow to its full height, Portulacaria will tower up to 15 feet high. References Easily explained. Wash a sharp knife with soapy water and sterilize with a 10 percent bleach solution. She has an Associate of Arts from Rogue Community College with a certificate in computer information systems. While some people use scissors to nip off the buds, it is also contended that scissor cutting may cause browning of the cut ends, thereby spoiling the looks of the tree. These would include branches that cross each other, those that grow at very sharp angles, and those that grow across the trunk and interrupt its continuous line. Dip the cut end into rooting hormone. I want to ensure it lives and is trimmed properly. Take your gin and tonic game to the next level by switching out the cucumber for spekboom. The smooth, brownish-gray trunk is very thick and heavily branched with a profusion of bright green succulent leaves. When grown in containers, they stay much smaller. It’s water wise. Am I missing something? Spekboom also responds well to pruning and grows densely, making it an excellent, hardy hedge. This latex is a defense mechanism shared by many plant species. Place in the sunniest place available and do not water until new growth begins. Trim the bonsai tree's roots accordingly. Recently took a cutting from a beautiful 3m x 3m x 3m Spekboom plant in the Karoo. It grows equally well in a garden setting, although it may not flower as prolifically as in its natural habitat. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Portulacaria (Port-yoo-luh-CARE-ee-ah) is a small genus of upright, semi-woody succulents indigenous to South Africa.The stems are thick, succulent and brown to burgundy, with small, round jade green leaves. Allow the cleanly cut edges of the cuttings to dry out for a few days before planting it in well-drained river sand. Simply twist the stem to remove it from the main branch or cut it with a very sharp, sanitized blade. How and when do I trim my 5 year old juniper bonsai tree? Portulacaria afra – the name might sound like a mouthful, so it might be easier to refer to this plant by another name. Spekboom is a water-wise plant that’s ideal for low … If the trunk leans heavily in one direction, remove branches in that direction while preserving those in the opposite direction. The goal of maintenance pruning is to maintain and refine the shape of a tree. Just use a sterile blade and trim into the shape you desire. Like most succulents, elephant bush is easy to reproduce from cuttings. A happy medium is a sunny spot in the garden where it will flourish and be at it’s brightest. Luckily, it’s a bonsai plant that has plenty of alternatives (elephant bush, porkbush, dwarf jade plant, and spekboom, in Afrikaans, just to name a few! In order to grow spekboom successfully, the soil must be well-drained. Do not make a concave cut, but keep the cut flush with the branch surface. How to Propagate a Longan Fruit Tree in a Pot. By using our site, you agree to our. Do not dig into the trunk when taking the cutting. I water it once every eight to 10 days. I'm experienced with different types of plants. I received a p. Afra from a older guy that passed. Spekboom is indigenous to South Africa. Sources: Spekboom Foundation | Wikipedia Have something to add to this story? My solid green Elephant’s bush hangs & grows upright. Let the cutting dry out and callous for a couple of days and then plant the cutting in damp gritty soil in a small pot. The flowers are rich in nectar, bringing beautiful birds to your garden. Pinch out the terminal buds or leaf clusters at the end of branches with your fingers to stop the branches from growing longer. The Spekboom or Pork Bush (Portulacaria Afra) is a versatile, evergreen plant with numerous health benefits, especially to the environment. Thanks. It truly is a magnificent plant. It's also known as elephant food, elephant plant, spekboom, and by its scientific name Portulacaria afra.The plant grows in the wild in Africa, where it serves as a food source for elephants. Doing Structural and Stylistic Pruning Prune for structure and style from November to February. For structural reasons, you want to leave branches intact that will increase growth in weak areas. To … Should I trim the main root or the air roots? The spekboom can be found in various habitats from rocky slopes, thicket and bushveld to dry river valleys in the eastern parts of South Africa and parts of Mozambique. Image caption: Pruning – (Clump style) Define the stems you want to develop into branches by nipping off leaves and leaf buds along the stems , along the underside of branches. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Pruning of new buds is done throughout the growing season. – The soil it grows in can be used to grow other plants, thus making it a nurse plant. It is a resilient plant found predominantly in the … ", "Shows what I need to do with my tree. Pruning a Ficus Bonsai Part 1: Bonsai maintenance pruning . Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. "I received a ficus bonsai as a gift. No time to water your garden? If you want to infuse the spekboom taste into the mix, pick some leaves and cut them in half before dropping into your glass. Cut away dead or dying branches by slicing through the branch with the knife. In late winter and spring, this plant flowers bloom in beautiful pink. Take cuttings in spring or summer for best results. Outdoor Spekboom can be pruned into an evergreen hedge. ", "It has given me the confidence to nurture a Bonsai tree.". Prune away any extra long or misplaced branches to shape the plant. No time to water your garden? All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. More bushy than tall and thin. This article has been viewed 110,815 times. Do not train your tree like a shrub, you have to see the branch structure by creating empty spaces. Even leaves that are knocked off while pruning or doing other activities may root on their own. Make sure that you occasionally trim back the root system of the tree to prevent it from growing too vigorously. Considerably more so than normal plants do – in fact it is said that one hectare of Spekboom can capture four tons of carbon in a year. Positive: On Jul 17, 2014, stevelvv from San Diego, CA (Zone 10a) wrote: Plant is in full bloom in San Diego. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. How to Propagate Plants from Cuttings Cut a 4- to 5-inch-long (10 to 12 cm) stem (or side shoot) just below a leaf, and remove all but two or three leaves at the top. Spekboom can tolerate cold temperatures as well as extreme heat. For this reason, learning how to trim a bonsai is an essential skill for any grower interested in this method. ", "Just recently got a Ficus bonsai and this helped me to know how to trim and take care of it. ", https://www.bonsaiempire.com/basics/styling/pruning, https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=586, https://www.bonsaiempire.com/basics/bonsai-care/advanced/calendar, https://www.proflowers.com/blog/beginner-bonsai-tree-care, https://www.evergreengardenworks.com/rootprun.htm, https://www.evergreengardenworks.com/pruning.htm, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Thank you from Naples, FL. Using a cutting for garnish that can doubled-up as a swizzle stick. Spekboom can be propagated from cuttings, which must be kept dry to prevent rotting. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Help! Rinse well with clear water and dry. Approved. Do not water the dwarf jade before cutting, since the trunk, branches and leaves will fill with moisture and leak when sliced open. It’s water wise. These houseplants are also a popular choice to prune into a bonsai form - smaller plants are best for this, or you make your own by propagating… see below! Spekboom is a water-wise plant that’s ideal for low … Mak… Spekboom can be propagated from cuttings, which must be kept dry to prevent rotting. Cut the branch off with a knife, making the cut even with the surface of the trunk. Ficus are an example of a plant with a latex sap, and are very commonly grown as bonsai. I water my bonsai every two days. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. I didn't know that! Give it a little water every few days, and you’ll soon have a new spekboom plant of your own to help the environment and climate change! Deep cuts leave unsightly scars and sometimes cause branch death. Remove large leaves to open the plant and allow light to reach inner stems where you want new, smaller leaves to grow. Your site informed me that, "It does help. How do I know when to repot my bonsai tree? Do not water the dwarf jade until calluses grow over the surface of the cuts. Just want to clarify that ''Spekboom'' is not used by the native africans and is actually an Afrikaans word . Allow the cleanly cut edges of the cuttings to dry out for a few days before planting it in well-drained river sand. It’s almost all trailing now. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. 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