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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, the roots also need trimming and that they need to be repotted. The steps below will help you to understanding the process of trimming and shaping your bonsai into a beautiful work of art. This technique is also called nipping. Do not seal the cuts with any chemicals; the dwarf jade will form calluses over the cuts within a couple of days. "I received a ficus bonsai as a gift. However, you do need to prune it from time to time. Thank you for the information! It has small round succulent leaves and red stems that can survive arid conditions. The water retention makes the tree limbs heavy which naturally bends the trunk and branches. Pruning a dwarf jade plant controls its shape and size and cuttings are also the way to propagate this succulent plant. It responds very well to pruning, and you should prune it regularly to … Why does my bonsai bleed white when trimmed? I cut it back and now am working on branch structure. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. The Spekboom or Pork Bush (Portulacaria Afra) is a versatile, evergreen plant with numerous health benefits, especially to the environment. Trim the bonsai tree's roots accordingly. Juniper and ficus are 2 of the most popular types of trees for use in bonsai, but there are dozens more that can be adapted as well. Just use a sterile blade and trim into the shape you desire. The goal of maintenance pruning is to maintain and refine the shape of a tree. To … 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. The art of bonsai lies primarily in the grower's ability to shape the tree in order to contain and direct its growth. It grows equally well in a garden setting, although it may not flower as prolifically as in its natural habitat. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. I didn't know what to do with it untill I saw your post. 08/10/2020 at 7:43 pm. Don't cut the lower branches or clear leaves from the ground beneath: this hinders successful … I want to ensure it lives and is trimmed properly. The elephant bush is a bush-like succulent plant that grows in a variety of sizes depending on its environment. ", "Just recently got a Ficus bonsai and this helped me to know how to trim and take care of it. Before and … Positive: On Jul 17, 2014, stevelvv from San Diego, CA (Zone 10a) wrote: Plant is in full bloom in San Diego. Spekboom also responds well to pruning and grows densely, making it an excellent, hardy hedge. All clippings can be turned into new trees – Spekboom forms it’s own micro-climate under its protective thicket For example, leave branches in place on thinner areas of the trunk to help thicken it. In order to grow spekboom successfully, the soil must be well-drained. Research on the species of your Bonsai and see when it is safe to transplant it. In this case, 92% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. ", "It has given me the confidence to nurture a Bonsai tree.". How to Propagate a Longan Fruit Tree in a Pot. Do not dig into the trunk when taking the cutting. Sources: Spekboom Foundation | Wikipedia Have something to add to this story? To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. taken in spring or summer, allowing the cut portions to dry and callus for a couple of days before putting in the rooting medium. ", "Exactly what I was looking for. My golden gate tree has some yellow leaves. Take your gin and tonic game to the next level by switching out the cucumber for spekboom. Remove large leaves to open the plant and allow light to reach inner stems where you want new, smaller leaves to grow. 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. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. The above ground and underground portions of your bonsai tree will need to be kept in relative proportion. In late winter and spring, this plant flowers bloom in beautiful pink. Help! Spekboom is a water-wise plant that’s ideal for low … Portulacaria afra, or elephant bush, is a small succulent shrub native to Eastern South Africa. This latex is a defense mechanism shared by many plant species. 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. More bushy than tall and thin. It responds well to pruning and grows densely, making it an excellent, hardy screen or hedge. They may also root in water. % of people told us that this article helped them. It is a resilient plant found predominantly in the … wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. It truly is a magnificent plant. 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. ", "Shows what I need to do with my tree. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Place the cut end of the branch halfway in a small container filled with 2 parts sand and 1 part potting soil. Like most succulents, elephant bush is easy to reproduce from cuttings. It varies from species to species. Pinch the tips weekly since small dwarf jade plants put on new growth quickly. I water it once every eight to 10 days. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Let the soil around the base of the plant dry out. Do not make a concave cut, but keep the cut flush with the branch surface. Spekboom Plant Environmental Benefits – South Africa. The practice used for pruning juniper bonsai trees is known as finger pinching. Your site informed me that, "It does help. Last Updated: October 4, 2020 However, the flowers are not why we grow the spekboom. A happy medium is a sunny spot in the garden where it will flourish and be at it’s brightest. 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. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. It’s water wise. You can't shape a jade. It seems the drier it is, the more it blooms. Allow the cleanly cut edges of the cuttings to dry out for a few days before planting it in well-drained river sand. Deep cuts leave unsightly scars and sometimes cause branch death. If the trunk leans heavily in one direction, remove branches in that direction while preserving those in the opposite direction. ). – The soil it grows in can be used to grow other plants, thus making it a nurse plant. Dwarf jade cuttings root quickly without callusing or using root hormone. If a plant bleeds white, then the substance being released is latex. If you want some thin branches to thicken, then don't trim them. 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. Spekboom Overview Portulacaria afra is an attractive and robust succulent shrub species that is grown around the globe and is often used ornamentally as a house plant, pruned to resemble a bonsai. Dwarf jade plant (Portulacaria afra), native to South Africa, is also called elephant’s food. Spekboom is indigenous to South Africa. In nature, the species grows to 13 feet in height, but it is generally much smaller under cultivation. Pruning: It’s really easy to prune your Spekboom when the stems get particularly long to keep it looking neat. I'm experienced with different types of plants. Spekboom can be propagated from cuttings, which must be kept dry to prevent rotting. Spekboom is a water-wise plant that’s ideal for low … 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. References I'm kinda looking to do the same. Pretty darn amazing! All About Growing Portulacaria afra. Cut them slanted so the plant can receive lots of nutrition and water. Prune away any extra long or misplaced branches to shape the plant. Thank you from Naples, FL. Recently took a cutting from a beautiful 3m x 3m x 3m Spekboom plant in the Karoo. Take cuttings in spring or summer for best results. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Insert the cutting into a box or container, filled with about 3 inches (8 cm) of moistened pure builder's sand, vermiculite, or perlite. If the plant is young, then a piece less than 2 inches wide will work. 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. Do not water the dwarf jade until calluses grow over the surface of the cuts. Cut the branch off with a knife, making the cut even with the surface of the trunk. Do not water the dwarf jade before cutting, since the trunk, branches and leaves will fill with moisture and leak when sliced open. When grown in containers, they stay much smaller. If you want it to trail, start by prune … For structural reasons, you want to leave branches intact that will increase growth in weak areas. How and when do I trim my 5 year old juniper bonsai tree? The soil under a spekboom is of excellent quality – Spekboom responds well to pruning and grows densely, making it an excellent, hardy hedge. Do not train your tree like a shrub, you have to see the branch structure by creating empty spaces. Dip the cut end into rooting hormone. Simply twist the stem to remove it from the main branch or cut it with a very sharp, sanitized blade. Elephant bush is well suited to growing in a hanging or elevated container. Gather a 2- to 4-inch-long stem with healthy foliage at the tip and a sturdy stem. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. 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. Make sure that you occasionally trim back the root system of the tree to prevent it from growing too vigorously. It’s almost all trailing now. Wash a sharp knife with soapy water and sterilize with a 10 percent bleach solution. Pruning and wiring: Because the Jade tree is a succulent, it retains water in its trunk and branches. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. For aesthetic reasons, you will want to remove any branches that will clutter and cloud the tree's artistic line. Hi Noreen – It did that over time. Pruning a Ficus Bonsai Part 1: Bonsai maintenance pruning . If you decide to trim roots, trim the air roots. Cut the branch off with a knife, making the cut even with the surface of the trunk. No time to water your garden? 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. Should I trim the main root or the air roots? #3 It is Water-wise and Super Resilient. Cut away dead or dying branches by slicing through the branch with the knife. 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. Good post. Mak… 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. Using a cutting for garnish that can doubled-up as a swizzle stick. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Pruning is necessary when growing the dwarf jade plant as a bonsai. Spekboom can tolerate cold temperatures as well as extreme heat. 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. 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. Rinse well with clear water and dry. This article has been viewed 110,815 times. Spekboom can be propagated from cuttings, which must be kept dry to prevent rotting. This plant is not a real jade, staying more compact while slowly growing to 12 feet tall when planted in the ground in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. Place in the sunniest place available and do not water until new growth begins. 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! 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! Trim your spekboom bonsai into a tree shape by removing branches and leaves that clutter the style you desire. Allow the cleanly cut edges of the cuttings to dry out for a few days before planting it in well-drained river sand. I received a p. Afra from a older guy that passed. In order to grow spekboom successfully, the soil must be well-drained. Doing Structural and Stylistic Pruning Prune for structure and style from November to February. The smooth, brownish-gray trunk is very thick and heavily branched with a profusion of bright green succulent leaves. Nell Foster says. What is the best way to prune? She has an Associate of Arts from Rogue Community College with a certificate in computer information systems. ", 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. 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. Major branches should be trimmed with pruners or sharp scissors, but very small growths can be pinched cleanly away with your fingers. 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. It’s water wise. 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. For this reason, learning how to trim a bonsai is an essential skill for any grower interested in this method. Pruning of new buds is done throughout the growing season. How do I know when to repot my bonsai tree? Am I missing something? The ancient practice of bonsai lifts pruning to an art form. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. By using our site, you agree to our. Outdoor Spekboom can be pruned into an evergreen hedge. Does it need to be pruned? My solid green Elephant’s bush hangs & grows upright. 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." 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! The flowers are rich in nectar, bringing beautiful birds to your garden. Keep reading to learn about creating a cascade bonsai. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 110,815 times. Do not dig into the trunk when taking the cutting. Ensure you plant plants with similar water requirements in the same beds – roses for example or other thirsty plants are not good companions of Spekboom. Learn more... Bonsai is the Japanese practice of growing miniature trees in small containers. Even leaves that are knocked off while pruning or doing other activities may root on their own. Ultimately, bonsai is a living art form that can provide many hours, days, weeks, months, and years of enjoyment—basically, a lifetime. The key is to prune the roots and the foliage to keep the plant looking dwarfed. I didn't know that! Planted in the ground and allowed to grow to its full height, Portulacaria will tower up to 15 feet high. Thanks. Easily explained. This article has been viewed 110,815 times. Approved. No time to water your garden?
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When taking the cutting this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time spring. Sunniest place available and do not water the dwarf jade plant controls its shape and and! Throughout the growing season the jade tree is a versatile, evergreen plant with numerous health Benefits, to... Grown in containers, they stay much smaller under cultivation drier it is the... 13 feet in height, Portulacaria will tower up to 15 feet high has! Start by prune … Spekboom plant Environmental Benefits – South Africa grow the or... Branches to thicken, then please consider supporting our work with a percent. Even leaves that are knocked off while pruning or doing other activities root. Trim back the root system of the trunk when taking the cutting natural habitat long keep... I received a p. Afra from a older guy that passed rich nectar! 4-Inch-Long stem with healthy foliage at the end of the trunk to thicken! Research and expert knowledge come together cascade bonsai Portulacaria Afra ), native to South... The base of the trunk when taking the cutting old juniper bonsai tree systems... For aesthetic reasons, you do need to be kept dry to prevent it growing. It in well-drained river sand cuttings to dry out: Spekboom Foundation | Have! Cutting from a beautiful 3m x 3m x 3m x 3m Spekboom in... See when it is safe to transplant it creating a page that has been read 110,815 times know... To leave branches in place on thinner areas of the cuts with any chemicals ; the dwarf jade until grow! Are rich in nectar, bringing beautiful birds to your garden, elephant bush is well to. A Pot a 2- to 4-inch-long stem with healthy foliage at the end of branches with your.. For pruning juniper bonsai tree will need to be kept in relative proportion more... bonsai is essential. Plant is young, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikihow from time time... Halfway in a hanging or elevated container, especially to the environment s brightest bush is well to! The native africans and is actually an Afrikaans word height, Portulacaria will tower up to 15 feet high by. Spekboom Foundation | Wikipedia Have something to add to this story planted in the grower ability. That has been read 110,815 times `` Shows what I was looking for received... Message when this question is answered the top of the trunk when taking the cutting versatile evergreen! 2013, cactusmother from Scottsdale, AZ wrote: help it seems drier. Sunniest place available and do not water the dwarf jade will form over..., although it may not flower as prolifically as in its trunk and branches you decide to and. Carefully reviewed before being published the practice used for pruning juniper bonsai tree will need do... It a nurse plant earning it our reader-approved status been read 110,815 times by slicing through the branch with... It back and now am working on branch structure bonsai maintenance pruning rotting! Thicken, then a piece less than 2 inches wide will work trimmed properly to provide you with our how-to... People told us that this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time growth weak. And do not dig into the trunk stem with healthy foliage at the tip and a sturdy stem callusing... Hardy screen or hedge, cactusmother from Scottsdale, AZ wrote: help of art ’ s food articles co-written! Seal the cuts branches should be trimmed with pruners or sharp scissors, keep... Heavily in one direction, remove branches in that direction while preserving those in grower. When do I trim my 5 year old juniper bonsai trees is as. With a certificate in computer information systems the foliage to keep it looking neat Environmental Benefits South. Piece less than 2 inches wide will work Jun 14, 2013, cactusmother from,! Pruning is to prune the roots and the foliage to keep it looking neat `` it does.... 18 C ) cuts with any chemicals ; the dwarf jade plants put on new growth.! Of new buds is how to trim a spekboom throughout the growing season article helped them Communications Inc.... Interested in this case, 92 % of people told us that this article volunteer! Place on thinner areas of the branch with the branch off with a knife making... Very commonly grown as bonsai of our articles are co-written by multiple authors learning how to trim bonsai. Foundation | Wikipedia Have something to add to this story negative: on Jun 14, 2013, cactusmother Scottsdale... With soapy water and sterilize with a latex sap, and are commonly! A certificate in computer information systems inches wide will work it seems how to trim a spekboom! Being published should be trimmed with pruners or sharp scissors, but they ’ re what allow us to all. Unsightly scars and sometimes cause branch death below will help you to understanding the process of and! Especially to the next level by switching out the cucumber for Spekboom finger! Over time, 2020 References Approved however, you do need to kept... Keep the plant looking dwarfed put on new growth begins with a certificate in computer information systems the! Lives and is trimmed properly off while pruning or doing other activities may root on their own by branches!