Page 55 - Tạp chí bonsai cây cảnh BCI 2014Q3

This general information on succulents will help us
to grow succulent bonsai more satisfactorily. But now
let us deal with the most preferred succulent plant for
bonsai, Portulacaria afra, commonly called Jade or
Elephant Bush plant as it is grazed on by elephants in
its native habitat, the arid sub-tropical areas of South
Africa. Initially succulent plants were not considered
good bonsai material as they have fleshy stem struc-
ture and leaves. But eventually bonsai masters like Jim
Smith and John Naka of USA started looking at some
of the succulents as good bonsai material.

Jade, Portulacaria afra:
Structure:

Jade plant does not have any particular method
of growth. Its trunk and branches are tubular and
straight. Occasionally a very gentle curve may be evi-
dent in the trunk due to the weight of drooping heavy
branches and leaves. The bark or the skin is peppery
brownish red in young growth, maturing to brown.
Even light scratching shows a watery-green cambium
layer underneath. Its pudgy leaves are about a third of
an inch long, thick, smooth, oval and very juicy. They Above; Shohin bonsai in a boat shaped pot by Bhavana Shah
are flat on top and slightly curving below. Leaves oc- Below; Slanting style Jade with a lime stone by Chand Kejriwal
cur in pairs, with a horizontal pair alternating with a
vertical pair with short fleshy stalk separating the pairs
of leaves. There is no real petiole.
In the tropical belt near seaside where temperature
is hot and humid, with little extra care, Jade thrives
well and its leaves get a shiny green color similar to a
jade stone. In the interior lands, away from sea, where
the weather is hot and dry with temperatures soaring
to 45° C in summer, Jade does survive well but has
ashy green colored leaves and dark brown bark.

Soil:
As the plant stores water throughout its structure,
it is essential to have a soil mixture that is extremely
porous to facilitate proper drainage. At the same time
it should be weighty enough to hold the heavy plant
in its position in the container.
We have found that the normal bonsai soil mixture
made up of garden soil, cow dung manure, neutral
small river gravel, brick pieces and vermi-compost in
proportions of 4: 4: 2: 2: 1 is suitable. In regions with
heavy rain, addition of slightly bigger pieces of river
gravel to the soil mixture helps to combat root rot.
Light:
Give it all you have! Jade thrives on good sunlight
resulting in compact growth with smaller leaves at
shorter internodes. Jade survives hot summers, but
does not do well if the temperature drops too low and
there is frost. Freezing temperatures will shrivel the
plant and it will die. Protection during cold winters
will help it to survive. Jade does not do well in less sun
either. It drops leaves and becomes weak in structure
and dies eventually.

July/August/September 2014 | BCI | 53