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The Bonsai jade plant is famous for its ornamental use, it is widely used to create a natural beauty in a small space. Different jade bonsai styles make the plant look even more attractive, and also keep it healthy and growing.
Bonsai Jade plant is a component of plant classification called succulents. The leaves of the jade plant are thick, glossy, deep green, and oval in shape, and the stems are thick and brown. With thick oval green succulent leaves and a beautiful branch structure, the Jade has a thick trunk and fine branch structure.
When young, the bark is green and soft, but as it ages, it turns red-brown. The ideal location for this bonsai is a sunny window sill, terrace, balcony, patio, or outdoor garden, although bonsai jade plants are popular indoor plants that can easily be trained into a nice tree shape.
Make sure it's always kept between 40 and 41 degrees Fahrenheit. When the Jade tree's leaves develop red tips, it is evident that it’s getting enough sunlight.
There are different jade bonsai styles that are adopted by people to make their plants look more beautiful and healthy. The following are common jade bonsai styles:
- Informal Upright (Mayogi)
- Slanting (Shakan)
- Root-Over-Rock Style (Seki-joju )
- Broom Style (Hokidachi)
- Cascade Bonsai style (Kengai)
- Semi cascade Bonsai style (Han-kengai)
- Formal upright Bonsai style (Chokkan)
Informal Upright (Mayogi)
The formal upright style is the most common jade bonsai style. This bonsai technique offers an almost triangular tree shape, but with the curving of the trunk, the look is more irregular and relaxed. The trunk leans to the right or left by 15 degrees or less, but never toward the viewer.
The trunk of this style is in the shape of a "S," which is its most distinguishing feature. At every bend, more branches grow. It is probably the most popular jade bonsai style, the trunk line identifies the style, showing a tree in nature battered by the elements. curves of the trunk should be spaced closer together the higher they are up the tree. A person can simulate the trunk movement caused by the stresses of nature by using the bonsai wire.
The way to achieve this style successfully with the Bonsai Jade plant is to wire and water it in a specific way. Watering is the first and primary step to keeping the plant alive, use selective watering to encourage the roots to grow outwards.
Remember to water on the same side every time. It will make sure that the tree grows only in one direction. After that, wire the Jade bonsai's trunk in such a way that it slants in the opposite direction of the side you just watered. Nature steps in at this point and does its thing.
The tree is out of balance, therefore it urges the roots to grow in the opposite way in order to regain balance and continue to grow. Now Your Bonsai jade plant has been successfully trained.
Slanting (Shakan)
Shakan, or slanting, is another famous jade bonsai style. Trees have naturally slanted to one side due to a persistent wind from one direction. This is what the slanting style is attempting to imitate. Bonsai Jade plant should ideally grow at an angle of 60-80 degrees (near to 45 degrees) to the ground.
At times also known as the leaning style, in this jade bonsai style, the trunk leans throughout the majority of its length. Branches emerge from both sides of the trunk, unlike the similar windswept style. The branches appear to have been driven by the wind when they are positioned horizontally or with a slight droop.
The root system on the side opposite the slant must be bulkier to balance the tree. To further balance the plant, lower branches may be left longer than those above. It is best to set the bonsai in its container so that the slanting trunk reaches over the greater part of the planter, rather than over the side.
Two famous procedures that are typically followed in this style are:
Dai-Shankan: In this procedure, the branches are trained to grow away from the trunk.
Chu-Shakan: Here, the branches are encouraged to curve back to the trunk.
Root-Over-Rock Style
This style, which requires the longest wait for results among the Bonsai Jade plant preferred styles, replicates the way roots of a tree in nature, started by a wayward seed landing in a crack in a rock, may grow to encase the rock. This look can be obtained in bonsai by burying a rock within the roots of a potted plant.
Allow them to grow for a few years before gradually exposing them and allowing them to harden off. Place a rock on top of the potting mix in a container for a plant with more established roots, and spread the roots over the rock and into the soil.
Broom Style (Hokidachi)
This style is also preferred by some people but it is not very common. In his style, the bonsai trunk is straight and upright. The tree's upper one-third branches out in a spherical shape crown.
Cascade Bonsai style (Kengai)
Although maintaining a downward-growing tree with traditional Bonsai specimens can be challenging (due to a plant's inherent tendency to grow upright), this is not the case with the Portulacaria afra. A mature Portulacaria afra will reach several inches above and then gracefully drape over the pot's edge.
Semi cascade Bonsai style (Han-kengai)
The Kengai shape is extremely similar to this jade bonsai style. The crucial difference is that the trunk does not grow below the pot's bottom.
Formal upright Bonsai style (Chokkan)
The trunk is thicker at the bottom and tapers to a thin trunk at the top in this style. It is a major requirement of this style. Branching should start around 1/4 of the height of Bonsai. Slanting the branches is a technique to make the tree look older. The branches must be evenly placed on either side as they progress up to the top.
Irrespective of the methods used, all Jade bonsai styles take time to achieve perfect form and therefore do not interfere with the Bonsai Jade plant too much. Patience is key here. Pruning is done after styling. The main idea here is to make the trunk strong and thick while attaining the required look. Take care of your plant and it will be your partner for ages.
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