Dehydrated almost rootless jade plant and an euphorbia question

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ElieEstephane
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Dehydrated almost rootless jade plant and an euphorbia question

Post by ElieEstephane »

Hello everyone
I bought this jade plant back in late spring for its compact shape and beautifully colored leaves. Here's how it was:
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Then things took a wrong turn in midsummer. Temperatures were a constant 25/33 throughout at least 30-40 days. The plant was very dehydrated but i assumed it was normal as all its bretheren were. I erred on the side of underwatering since they would be dormant and i don't want to rot them. Fast forward to now, all other crassulaceae are waking up and plumping except this one. I decided to dig it up to find out it barely has any roots and most are dead. The plant does not have rot.
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Two questions:
1. How deep would i replant it? The stem was buried very deep and this worries me in the long run
2. What soil would you use? My generic cactus soil mix (2 parts grit and 1 part compost mixed with a little sandy soil) seems to be killing off succulents but yielding strong cacti.

As for the euphorbia, this is my third attempt at rooting this species. The first 2 dehydrated to a crisp over the course of a year. This one has been rootless since spring and looks quite dehydrated. However, last week it started a new pup but without any top growth. Knowing how much euphorbias hate repotting and root exposure, is it safe to assume it has rooted or it's just growing on its own resources?
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The thing is, generic nurseries root endless cuttings of these in clay soil and overwater them drom the start. And can i not manage to root them properly?
Here's one i bought at the nursery a long time ago that's very happy in its original soil composed of clay and compost = lots of water retention! It stands at almost 2 meters now and is starting two branches. Notice the large euphorbia trigona in the back also growing happily in sandy clay soil. Do i need to reconsider my soil mix?
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There are more cacti in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
One of the few cactus lovers in Lebanon (zone 11a) :mrgreen:
esp_imaging
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Re: Dehydrated almost rootless jade plant and an euphorbia question

Post by esp_imaging »

I'd replant at the same depth as before - there are already many nodes with roots along the length of the buried stem, I don't see a problem with it re-rooting and staying rot-free. Possibly make the soil mix a bit more gravelly round the buried root.

As for soil, there is school of thought with succulents along the lines of "there's no such thing as an inappropriate soil, only an inappropriate watering regime". Whilst I wouldn't want to take this to an extreme (especially with anything rare, slow growing and with a reputation for being touchy), but I'd say that any sensible mix is worth a go for a jade, they are quite forgiving.
I guess that autumn may be a good growing season for you? Warm enough, bright enough, never too hot, enjoyed by Crassulas?
So it may well recover quickly without too much fuss.

No ideas on the Euphorbia, other than it looks healthy and as though it's taking up water, so it's probably rooted.
A small diverse collection of Cacti & Succulents
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ElieEstephane
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Re: Dehydrated almost rootless jade plant and an euphorbia question

Post by ElieEstephane »

esp_imaging wrote: Wed Sep 26, 2018 1:41 pm I guess that autumn may be a good growing season for you? Warm enough, bright enough, never too hot, enjoyed by Crassulas?
Yes almost all crassulaceae have been dormant through july and august and are waking up in the nice weather. That's why i opted to dig out the jade. It's also the best time for me to sow seeds and get them started then continue under lamps all winter.
You are right about the jade not being fussy as i rooted my first cutting a few years ago in clay soil and it stayed it in for a couple of years. That's why i wonder why this well pampered new jade lost its roots :-k i think om going for an airy mix to re-establish the roots so thanks for the imput!
As for the euphorbia, i guess it's reasonable to assume that since it's growing (no matter where that growth occurs), it must have rooted.
There are more cacti in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
One of the few cactus lovers in Lebanon (zone 11a) :mrgreen:
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Re: Dehydrated almost rootless jade plant and an euphorbia question

Post by esp_imaging »

I sometimes think people overdo the "free draining, high mineral content" aspect. It's not as though you will keeping it as a houseplant in a container without drainage holes, in permanently saturated peat.
I've had a jade outside all summer, with no rain shelter, in pure coir. They don't mind being a little damp at the roots when it's warm.
I have a few other C&S in 0% mineral mix, mostly larger plants, they all seem fine.
A small diverse collection of Cacti & Succulents
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ElieEstephane
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Re: Dehydrated almost rootless jade plant and an euphorbia question

Post by ElieEstephane »

esp_imaging wrote: Wed Sep 26, 2018 4:12 pm I sometimes think people overdo the "free draining, high mineral content" aspect. It's not as though you will keeping it as a houseplant in a container without drainage holes, in permanently saturated peat.
I've had a jade outside all summer, with no rain shelter, in pure coir. They don't mind being a little damp at the roots when it's warm.
I have a few other C&S in 0% mineral mix, mostly larger plants, they all seem fine.
Im actually very pro organic mixes. I've found that mineral mixes are really hard on the plant's health. I only decided to reroot this jade in a more mineral mix to reduce the risk of rot since temleratures are winding down.
Here's one of my jades growing happily for years in potting soil mixed with some garden soil. It doesn't show in the picture but the thickest stem is around 2.5 inches in diameter:
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And here's a crassula arborescens in the same mix:
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The adeniums on the right are also all growing in purely potting soil. Same goes for the oxygona
Succulents are uncharted territory for me that's why i tend to be more cautious sometimes
There are more cacti in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
One of the few cactus lovers in Lebanon (zone 11a) :mrgreen:
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