Image – Wikimedia/Aniol
The flower of the jade tree is small and pretty. Moreover, one could argue that it is one of the most beautiful parts of this species of Crassula, which incidentally lasts several days. However, it is not always easy to make it thrive.
For all this I want to explain how is the flower of the jade treewhat time of year does it appear and what to do if you find that your plant seems to be struggling to flower.
What are the characteristics of the jade flower?
Image – Wikimedia/Aniol
Before starting, you should know that the species known as the “jade tree” is the Crassule oval. It is a shrub about 2 meters high with fleshy leaves.jade green in color and with a trunk a maximum of ten centimeters thick at the end of maturation.
As for the flower, it grows in small clusters from a slightly branching reddish flower stalk.. It measures about a centimeter in diameter and is shaped like a star. In addition, it is white or pink in color and the stamens are white. It should also be added that it is hermaphrodite; that is, it has female parts (5 carpels partially fused in the center) and male parts (the 5 stamens) in the same flower.
What time of year does it bloom?
The Crassula oval produces its flowers from late fall and continues to do so through winter. This is interesting, as it is one of the few plants that are encouraged to flower in these seasons. But be careful: it will only do this if the temperatures are pleasant, because if it drops below 10°C, it will not flower.
Likewise, it is important to keep in mind that although it is a plant that can be kept in shade or partial shade, it will cost less to flower if we get used to being in broad daylight.
How to make the jade tree bloom?
Image – Flickr/Jesús Cabrera
We’ve discussed that it’s a good idea to get it used to direct sun and it’s important that the weather is good, but is there anything else you need to do to get it to produce its flowers? Yes of course. Basically, it’s the following:
Make sure the pot is the right size
The Crassula oval Doesn’t need a lot of room to grow, but If you keep it in the same pot all its life, not only will it not grow, but it won’t flower either.. For this reason, you need to see if the roots come out through the holes, but keeping in mind that even if none come out, it may still require a transplant. How to know that?
It’s simple: you have to hold the pot with one hand, and with the other take the plant out of the pot a little, just a little, because you just have to see if trying to extract the bread of the earth crumbles or not. If this is not the case, then it will have to be planted in a pot about 7-8 centimeters wider and higher with a substrate for succulents (on sale here) in the spring.
Fertilize it in the spring and until the fall
It is often thought that cacti and succulents, that is, succulents, do not need fertilization. But this is not true, even less if they are in pots. And it is that the soil nutrients available to them are depleted as the roots absorb them.
So if you want your jade tree to bloom normally, you need to fertilize it during its growing season, which extends from spring to autumn. Apply a quality succulent fertilizer like this one following the directions for use.
Check for Parasites
The jade tree, like many other succulents, can have certain pests, such as scale insects. And of course, if this is the case, it will be difficult for him to flourish. Fortunately, this is a plant that is easy to get rid of such pests, because it has relatively large and simple leaves, so For example, you can remove a cotton swab from the ears, moisten it with water and proceed to cleaning..
This way the flowers of your Crassula oval They will grow back, that’s for sure.
If you follow these tips, it is very likely that your jade tree will become magnificent very soon.