Jade Tree propogation

Hi.

I have access to a Jade Tree (Crassula Ovata) from which I periodically try to propagate copies by way of cuttings. But nothing seems to work, and I am wondering if it is a non-starter. I have tried by extracting suckers that already have a primitive root structure, from the soil beside the main parent tree, and I have tried by the more classical route of using a cutting from the main plant. Is this plant particularly difficult to do? Or is there some trick to it? I dip them in rooting hormone liquid and plant them in seeding compost in the greenhouse. Then over a matter of days the leaves turn from green to pink and then drop off. Should I be doing something different?

 

Hi Jack they are the easiest thing in the world to propagate,just take a healthy pad twist it off lay it on the top of the soil (in the same pot if you like) within weeks it will start to shrivel and form roots a new small plantlet will grow you can then pot it on.

 

I don't think you get very far with this especially if it's old, the stems can get very brittle you could try air layering though:thumb:

 

You don't need any special treatment here are afew grown the way I described.

several pads in a pot and yes they do turn a pinkish colour and shrivel before rooting.



new growth on a pad.



even a piece of stem lying on top of the pot has thrown out roots.



A recent cutting and a leaf that broke off both rooted in weeks.



The daddy of most of them the trunk is nearly 4" dia has managed to survive winter outside in the p/tunnel.

 

I am encouraged, thanks folks.

Does moisture content, temperature, lighting etc make a lot of difference? Oh, and type of soil?

 

Walnut, not sure if you know but the new growth on your variegated leaf pad will unfortunately be green. Itried it and have three greenies.:(
All Crassulas root easily.
An open free draining compost is best and water very sparingly.

 

I didn't know that Strongy that's very interesting obviously an unstable chimera probably the main plant will exhibit a tendancy to grow plain green leaves occasionally (have you noticed this) you have then got to watch they don't take over.

 

My two cuttings came from Marley who has a large specimen, don't know whether hers reverts to green at all. I have one small branch all white.

 

Here is one of mine (from yours).:thumb:
In about 15 months it has grown fairly quickly for a slow grower.:D

 

Thanks for the answer Strongy & Marley, cann't help thinking the "greenies" will develope variegation at some time as they grow as they contain the same genetic material,it's as well to remove the cream leaves as they are totally reliant on the parent plan for nourishment,too many on the plant can weaken it.