I hope to get some photos loaded of my growing beings in question. On the umbrella tree, can I cut the long limbs way back at the appropriate time of the year, or will that kill it. I sorta like it wild and unruly, so it may stay like this.

Jade , crassula. Leave it cascading or try to stand it up.

Jade, p. Area. I am letting it dry out. It has lost leaves daily that look shrivelled but the vast majority of the leaves are shiny and fat. The new leaves are flat but I figure because they are new they haven't had time to soak up lots of water. I ordered this one from Bonsai Boy. Should I trust they used good soil?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks my bonsai gurus!

Let's try a photo again.

Is it possible from the photo of the P.Agra, how old it is? I know it is young.
I've been wondering how the trunks get so thick... Age. I am reading the other posts and learning so much. I've seen some jade with thick trunks which I have to look forward too.
With the way the umbrella grows I think a thick trunk is not a possibility for this tree. Please inform me if I am incorrect.

If you want an honest opinion, I would say neither of these three species is really good for bonsai.

Do people reach nice results? Yes, every once in a while. Is it common? NO. Do they live long/ often not.

I would focus my bonsai efforts on trees/woody plants, and leave these three to live their lives as regular houseplant. But that is just my opinion!

Ruth wrote:

I ordered this one from Bonsai Boy.

Bonsai Boy... that seem to have a guideline for every single species - but these guidelines appear to be generic; they are the same for most species, so not really useful.

They sell this for USD 195. It makes me sad.



Again, practice patience. You could have waited ordering these plants and ask for advice here first.

Auk wrote:

They sell this for USD 195.

Wow.. Seeing this tree, I would be a millionaire if I sold my collection!

leatherback wrote:

Wow.. Seeing this tree, I would be a millionaire if I sold my collection!

I wonder what a realistic value for this plant would be. For me, considering it's a bad looking plant that has no potential left in it at all, it would be the price of a used pot.

Well I do appreciate your opinion. I know they are not true bonsai but I thought I'd start with something somewhat easy to keep alive, research and learn, and then get a true bonsai next spring.

The only one I ordered was the jade grouping. The other two I have had for years and received as gifts. They sit in my bathroom around the garden tub and keep me company.

You have had these crassula's for years? Why are they so small? Are you giving them eny sunlight?