Jade plant 468675 225084416 2008-07-11T20:16:47Z Subhumanfreak 2571689 {{Taxobox | name = ''Crassula ovata'' | status = | image = Jade plant flowers.jpg | image_width = 270px | regnum = [[Plant]]ae | subregnum = [[Tracheobionta]] | divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]] | classis = [[Magnoliopsida]] | ordo = [[Saxifragales]] | familia = [[Crassulaceae]] | genus = ''[[Crassula]]'' | species = '''''C. ovata''''' | binomial = ''Crassula ovata'' | binomial_authority = ([[Philip Miller|Miller]]) Druce | synonyms = ''Crassula argentea''<br/> ''Crassula obliqua''<br/> ''Crassula portulacea'' }} [[Image:Crassula ovata + Florero.jpg|220px|thumb|right|''Crassula ovata'' in a clay container (Italian [[terra cotta]])]] [[Image:Crassula bonsai.jpg|220px|thumb|right|''C. ovata'' as an [[indoor bonsai]].]] Commonly known as '''jade plant''', '''friendship tree''' or '''Money Plant''', '''''Crassula ovata''''' is a [[succulent plant]] with small pink or white flowers. It is native to [[South Africa]], and is common as a houseplant worldwide. It is sometimes referred to as the [[money tree]]; however, the tree ''[[Pachira aquatica]]'' is the original "money tree." Jades are evergeen plants with thick branches and smooth, rounded, fleshy leaves that grow in opposing pairs along the branches. Leaves are a rich jade green; some varieties may develop a red tinge on the edges of leaves when exposed to high levels of sunlight. New stem growth is the same color and texture as the leaves, but becomes brown and woody with age. Under the right conditions, they may produce small white or pink star like flowers in early spring. The jade plant lends itself easily to the [[bonsai]] form and is popular as an [[indoor bonsai]]. == Care == As [[succulent]]s, they require a normal watering when the soil is dry in the summer, and very little watering in the winter. Overwatering will cause them to lose their leaves (it is easy to identify overwatering by the characteristic crinkling look that the fallen leaves have) and eventually the stem will rot away. Though jades can survive overwatering, it is best to keep them on a 10 - 20 day cycle in the summer, and even less (up to a month dry) in the winter. Letting the soil dry between waterings is essential for a healthy jade.<ref>[http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/cacti/2002020340003484.html How often does my Jade (Crassula ovata) need water? - Cacti & Succulents<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> They will grow in full sun to light shade. However, they do not tolerate extreme heat or overexposure to direct sun very well, showing damage ranging from scorched leaves to loss of foliage and rotting stems. Most of the common species will tolerate a limited degree of frost but overexposure to cold weather will kill them. The jade plant benefits from pruning, which should be done in the spring, before the growing season. Pruning a jade can be done over the period of a few weeks, and involves cutting stems back to a lateral branch. The purpose of pruning is twofold: for a top-heavy succulent like the jade, it is important that its trunk be able to support the weight of its leaves, and pruning encourages the trunk to grow in size; pruning also encourages root growth. Callouses should form on new cuts after a few days, and new growth should emerge from the stump within a few weeks of the cut. === Pests === [[Mealybug]]s are common pests to jades and can cause deformation to new growth. An infestation can be eliminated by killing each bug with a small cottonswab that has been dipped in rubbing alcohol.<ref>[http://www.gardenerscorner.org/subject042069.htm gardeners corner - subject 'mealy bug on succulents'<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> It is important to repeat this process every day until all of the mealybugs have been killed, as new bugs may still be hatching even after the live bugs on the plant have been killed.<ref>[http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/cacti/2001055958031305.html How do I rid my plants of scale and mealybugs? - Cacti & Succulents<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[Aphid]]s are also common pests, though they tend to infest only the flower stalks. Red spider mites can also cause problems. Be careful of using pesticides as Jades are very sensitive to them. == Soil == Jades grow best in well drained soil that does not have peat moss or other particles that will retain large amounts of water. Jade trees enjoy rocky hillsides and arid soil, so in cultivation many different soil mixes are used to mimic these favorable natural conditions. Some growers recommend 50/50 soil mixes of organic topsoil to [[perlite]], [[haydite]], [[turface]], or small gravel and [[grit]]. Others have used [[coir]], pine bark and river stones. The general consensus among growers is that the soil should drain quickly and be allowed to dry between waterings, so having a good amount of grit and gravel in the mix is essential. == Propagation == Jade trees are notoriously easy to propagate. They can be propagated by stem or leaf [[cutting (plant)|cutting]]s. In the wild, stems and leaves will often break off and fall to the ground, and after a few weeks, they may grow roots and form a new plant. In cultivation, new plants are made by cutting new growth (stems or leaves) and letting them dry. Roots will develop in or out of soil, though inserting the stem into moist soil will increase rooting speed. {{commons|Crassula ovata}} <gallery> Image:Crassula_Ovata.jpg|Habitus Image:Jade1 ies.jpg|Flower Image:Jade2 ies.jpg|Flower Image:Jade3 ies.jpg|Flower Image:Jade-Emyr jones-Port Merrion.jpg|27 year-old Crassula ovata grown by Emyr Jones of [[Bala, Gwynedd]] Image:Crassula portulacea var cristata.jpg|Var. ''cristata'' Image:Unknown succulent 1.jpg|Cultivar 'Gollum' Image:Crassula ovata cv Tricolor.jpg|Cultivar 'Tricolor' </gallery> ==See also== *[[Crassulaceae]] ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== *[http://www.bcss-liverpool.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Growing_Crassula_ovata.htm Growing Crassula ovata (Jade Plant - Money Tree)] [[Category:Crassulaceae]] [[da:Paradistræ]] [[de:Geldbaum]] [[fr:Crassula ovata]] [[hu:Majomfa]] [[it:Crassula ovata]] [[nl:Crassula ovata]] [[ja:カネノナルキ]] [[pl:Grubosz jajowaty]] [[fi:Rahapuu]] [[sv:Paradisträd]]