As you learn how to be a gardener you are going to learn about a lot of different gardening tools that are all designed to save you time and make your garden better. You are under no obligation to buy every tool that you hear about. Don’t buy too much too soon, start small and with tools you know that you will actually use-you can buy the rest later. The fact is that most of your gardening tasks can be done using only your strength. All you really need is your hands and arms if you want to move dirt and plants from point A to point B. Of course, at the same time, you can use tools to help save time and to protect your body from too much wear and tear. Try using one of these gardening tools to help yourself out a little.

You should always have a garden rake in your tool arsenal. A garden rake is not the same rake that you will use for raking up leaves in your front or back yard. A garden rake is more sturdy and not as long and it has very strong steel teeth. If you have projects of varying sizes you want an adjustable width garden rake and not a fixed width garden rake. Adjustable width rakes are more cost effective because you only have to purchase the one rake while you would need to purchase a variety of fixed width rakes to get the same jobs done. You use garden rakes to smooth out and make your garden dirt level.

You should keep hoes around. Lots of new gardeners are sure that they won’t ever need a hoe. Most new gardeners think that using a hoe is optional and something they can avoid. If you have a large garden, however, you will need to hoe your garden on a regular basis. Hoes are useful because they help the gardener create neat rows for planting. It is a lot easier to make rows in your garden when you are standing up. Hoes are very useful for outlining planting rows and keeping them separated from each other. It is easier to do this type of project if your hoe has a good and long handle on it.

It sounds crazy but using a hoe can save you quite a lot of time as you are working to build your garden.

If you are going to do ground work when you garden, you will need to have a shovel. If your garden is large, you should definitely purchase at least one long handled shovel to keep nearby. Your shovel will be great for those times when you want to scoop and move dirt quickly and without hassle. Shovels produce better results than you would get if you tried to move that dirt by hand. It is very hard to move mass quantities of dirt if you try to do so without using a shovel. Your work in the garden will be so much easier to do if you have the help of a shovel with a long handle.

It can take some time to figure out which gardening tools you need. When you start your first garden you are going to want to purchase everything in the store. Don’t get duped or give in to temptation: start small and then add tools as you find uses for them. This way you won’t have to worry about spending too much money or wasting valuable storage space. Eventually you will understand exactly which gardening tools do what and you’ll know what to use for your various gardening tasks.

More information on  gardener   are available  on my blog  and other internet sites.

Do you have some organic tomato seeds at home? Are you planning to plant some in your garden so you can harvest it for future home use? Then you better start collecting the tools you need to start your planting activity. But before anything else, do you know how to grow such plant in your garden?

In case you are wondering how organic seeds differ from the usual seeds you see in the market, it actually depends on how the seeds are produced. When you say organic, it is in pure form. The seeds are generated without adding chemicals or doing special processes to produce it unlike the usual seeds sold in packs in the market which are produced fast using some chemicals.

If you think that planting is very easy, think again. When you plant, you do not just bury the seeds on soil. Rather, you have to choose the soil you’re planting it to first to ensure that it will grow healthy. There are many types of soil out there are you should choose the one that can nurture plants well. Also ensure that you have a good location to place the plant so that it will not die out.

The next thing to do is to get some organic fertilizers from a good brand in the market. This fertilizer will help nurture your plant well because they are produced in the natural manner. It will also be safe to use the natural fertilizers because there are no chemicals added to make it. You won’t have any problems with your consumption because you are taking healthy and naturally-produced vegetables.

Many of the seeds sold today are genetically modified and it’s not only seeds but the food sold in the market as well. Some chemicals are added to hasten the production process. It is no wonder that many disorder are coming out these days because one of the factors that contributes to its development is the food we eat. The more genetically modified food we eat, the more prone we are to diseases such as Diabetes and Cancer.

If you have found the right fertilizer and the right location for planting the seedling, plant right away. Bury the seeds properly on the ground with the healthy soil or bury it on a pot with healthy soil. Sprinkle it with light water everyday and keep it from too much sunlight. Also, transfer the plant at night to a high or safe place so you can keep it from animals that will eat it or destroy it.

When you plant organic tomato seeds, you are planting healthy vegetable that is also safe for your health. You can now make salads with your fresh tomatoes from your garden and eat healthy. Remember that naturally produce foods are safe because there were no chemicals added to it.

Looking to find the best quality organic tomato seeds, then visit www.sweetcornorganicnursery.com to find the best organic heirloom tomato seeds for your home fruit and vegetable garden.

There are countless advantages to the practice of using gardening gloves. Most of the advantages center around having extra protection for persons hands. People are often very concerned about injury to their hands. Some individuals are worried about getting dirty while taking care of the garden. Dirt under the fingernails is a common cause of disease for many people.

Sometimes people do not want to catch themselves with the tools they are using. Wearing gloves is usually a protective measure. Furthermore many people are uncomfortable getting their own hands directly into the dirt. There are a wide array of illnesses that can take place when a person makes contact with their skin with dirty hands.

A person can become concerned about their public image if they are constantly dirty. Many people try to keep clean but do not have any success in doing so. This is something that people with a dignified profession will often be worried about. When an individual cannot become clean they will often give up on the more down in the dirt tasks of taking care of the garden.

Many individuals often make the choice to use some form of protection because they do not want to get stuck with thorns. Some flowers have thorns that are difficult to deal with. One example of this is the process of dealing with roses. Although the flowers are extremely beautiful they can be difficult to handle because of the thorns on the sides.

Other individuals are more comfortable using protection for their hands because they have seen other people do so in the past. People sometimes lose their grip when their hands are not clean. Therefore they are trying to protect the investment that they are making in the garden by wearing something that will protect their hands.

A lot of individuals make the choice to engage in the practice simply because they tend to follow the same habits. They have watched other people do the same things and think that this is their responsibility. Continuing the tradition of something that people do simply out of respect for the older generation.

It is easy to see that there are many different reasons people use gardening gloves. The majority of reasons have to do with physical protection. They are also used in order for people to work efficiently and quickly in the garden. Just because a person does not currently own a pair of gloves not mean that they will not invest in one at a later time. Usually this is done because an individual gets more involved in the gardening process.

Atlas Garden Gloves are the touch sensitive, durable, thin, snug fitting gardening gloves that you have been looking for! The UK Home of the Worlds Best Gardening Gloves!

How to Care and Grow Crassula Ovata or Jade Plants Flowering Container Garden Favorites

How to Care and Grow Crassula Ovata or Jade Plants Flowering Container Garden Favorites

Free Online Articles Directory

Why Submit Articles?
Top Authors
Top Articles
FAQ
AB Answers

Publish Article

0 && $ .browser.msie ) {
var ie_version = parseInt($ .browser.version);
if(ie_version Hello Guest
Login

Login via

Register
Hello
My Home
Sign Out

Email

Password


Remember me?
Lost Password?

Home Page > Home Improvement > Gardening > How to Care and Grow Crassula Ovata or Jade Plants Flowering Container Garden Favorites

How to Care and Grow Crassula Ovata or Jade Plants Flowering Container Garden Favorites

Edit Article |

Posted: Sep 16, 2009 |Comments: 0
| Views: 751
|

Share

]]>

Syndicate this Article

Copy to clipboard

How to Care and Grow Crassula Ovata or Jade Plants Flowering Container Garden Favorites

By: Laura Zinkan

About the Author

Laura Zinkan cultivates a gardening site at http://www.theGardenPages.com with plant profiles and growing tips on cactus, succulents and California native plants. Drop by to smell the flowers. Or visit the gardening blog at http://thegardenpages.blogspot.com for up-to-date seasonal information. © 2009 by Laura Zinkan. Article may be reprinted if author credit is given with a website link. All rights reserved.

(ArticlesBase SC #1239250)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – How to Care and Grow Crassula Ovata or Jade Plants Flowering Container Garden Favorites

Crassula ovata or Jade plants are shrubby succulent plants that make excellent choices for dry gardens and container plants.  Xeriscaping with drought tolerant cactus and succulent plants has become popular in dry areas or places where water conservation is a concern.  Jades have thick, deep green leaves sometimes tinged with red on the edges. The leaf shape, like the name ovata implies, are oval from 1 – 2 inches long.

Crassula ovata develop thick, fat trunks that have an aged look and will eventually grow up to 8 feet tall.  In late winter jade plants get 3 inch clusters of light pink to pale salmon flowers with five petals. These perennial plants are drought tolerant and only need water once a month or so.

Indoors, succulent jade plants make good houseplants in containers.  They prefer bright, indirect light and can take a few hours of direct sunlight but they are also adapted to low light.  In a pot, Jade stay small and can even be used for bonsai.  Crassula ovata is sometimes confused with Crassula argentia, which has a similar growth habit, but has silvery grey leaves.  Crassula are usually not bothered by insects or disease.  The biggest problem crassulas face may come from over watering.  This will result in a soggy brown, rotting trunk.

In the garden, drought tolerant jade plants will grow in light shade to full sun.  In hottest desert areas, crassula do better when they don’t have an entire day of full sun.  Crassula ovata are hardy to 41 degrees (5 degrees centigrade).  A light frost will show up at brown dots on leaves.  Overhead protection is usually enough to protect succulents during a light frost.  Heavy frost, or a deep freeze will turn leaves brown and shriveled.  Frozen leaves will fall off, or you can brush them off with your hands.  If the plant branch or trunk is not damaged, new sprouts should form in a few weeks.

Green jade plants are able to live off rainfall alone in many areas.  In my southern California garden, crassula are happily growing in both full sun and shade, in heavy alkaline, clay soil.  You can see photos of flowering jade plants at http://www.theGardenPages.com .

To root cuttings like jade plant or gollum jade, start with a 5 or 6 inch cutting.  Bury about half of the stalk in soil.  This will give you deep roots and helps the plant withstand drought better.  Keep the soil moist (like a squeezed sponge).  After a month, cut back to monthly watering.  The leaves will probably shrivel a bit as the plant forms roots: it is living off the stored energy in its leaves.  This is normal.  You may also lose a few leaves, which is also normal.  The plant will start growing again and may even flower in a year.

Visit at http://www.theGardenPages.com to see crassula plant photos and read about more plants that are versatile and easy to grow.  Their winter bloom make jade plants a great addition to any garden or home.

Retrieved from “http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/how-to-care-and-grow-crassula-ovata-or-jade-plants-flowering-container-garden-favorites-1239250.html”

(ArticlesBase SC #1239250)

Laura Zinkan –
About the Author:

Laura Zinkan cultivates a gardening site at http://www.theGardenPages.com with plant profiles and growing tips on cactus, succulents and California native plants. Drop by to smell the flowers. Or visit the gardening blog at http://thegardenpages.blogspot.com for up-to-date seasonal information. © 2009 by Laura Zinkan. Article may be reprinted if author credit is given with a website link. All rights reserved.

]]>

Rate this Article

1
2
3
4
5

vote(s)
0 vote(s)

Feedback
RSS
Print
Email
Re-Publish

Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/how-to-care-and-grow-crassula-ovata-or-jade-plants-flowering-container-garden-favorites-1239250.html

Article Tags:
crassula, crassula ovata, plants, succulent plants, gardening, dry garden, container plants, jade plants, xeriscape, hobbies, house plant, landscape, succulent garden

Related Videos

Latest Gardening Articles
More from Laura Zinkan

Vegetable Garden: Three Sisters Companion Planting

Patti, the Garden Girl, plants a Native American inspired Three Sisters companion planted garden. Click the link below to buy Radius Garden Tools: http://cli.gs/RGToolBundle

FREE MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION:
http://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=001jyV49J2cwWrp2c-CwT58zA%3D%3D Distributed by Tubemogul. (05:38)

Adding Height to the Garden Border

Dave introduces you to two tall plants you can use to add flair to the border of your garden. (01:17)

Tips for Container Gardening

Home improvement expert Danny Lipford gives you some tips for container gardening that will help you create a garden anywhere around your home. (01:08)

Designing This Spot at the Garden Home Retreat

Allen talks with Steve Hutton, President of Conard-Pyle, breeders of the Knock Out line of Roses about designing the east garden at Allens Garden Home Retreat. Plants to be used in this garden include, loropetalum, Helen Von Stein Lambs ear, Pink Drift ro (03:30)

Pink Knock out Roses at the Garden Home Retreat

Allen shows Steve Hutton, President of Conard-Pyle, breeders of the Knock Out line of Roses around the gardens at his Garden Home Retreat and talks about the newly planted Pink Knock Out Roses (04:14)

Creating a Pond in your Garden adds life to any landscape

No matter how large or small your garden is, adding a water feature such as a pond can tranform any landscape into a place of beauty and life.
Pond liners can be purchased from my garden centres and can be rigid in condtruction, ie fibreglass or rigid plastic, or you can create your own design using waterproof, extra strong poly sheeting.

By:
Jack Rossl

Home Improvement>
Gardeningl
Nov 07, 2010

How to choose greenhouses

Container Gardening Drainage – How Vital Is It For The Healthy Growth Of Plants?

How frustrating! You would love to grow plants and more plants, but outside space around your house is limited! The solution for this is offered in the form of container gardening, which requires less space and less maintenance. Unfortunately, “less” maintenance is often mistaken for “no” maintenance at all, and people are then left wondering why their plants refuse to survive! A crucial aspect of this sort of gardening is “container gardening drainage”, which we will go into details about in the succeeding paragraphs.

Except for the prospect of growing huge trees, there is really no limitation as to what type of plants can be grown in containers! A number of vegetables can be produced in these containers, and so can a variety of flowers. But for all these plants to have healthy, long lives, an adequate container gardening drainage system for removing excess water is vital. Once the plants have been given all that they need, you find an enchanting panorama unfolding right in front of your eyes!

Why is container garden drainage so important?

Roots begin to rot if they are surrounded by too much of water; the soil in the container can absorb only so much! For it is not possible to know exactly how much water has to be poured in each time you are watering the plants.

The standard containers available in the market, such as plastic pots, already come with drainage holes placed at the bottom. But what if you would like to get creative and use anything and everything around the house as a holder for plants? Like for instance, logs that have been hollowed out, boots that are worn out and no longer needed, galvanized tubs and buckets. You can think of many more, of course! Anything will do for a container or pot, large or small. The condition is, have a good drainage system in place. It is recommended that the drainage holes be placed at the bottom as well as on the sides.

The type of container selected for a particular plant will decide the tools that are needed to drill the gardening drainage holes. A metal pot or container would require a drill to prepare the holes. It is far simpler and faster to make holes in aluminium containers with the help of a punch. If choosing wood containers, go back to the drill. A drill can be used on ceramic pots too, but with tremendous care.

Whatever be the choice of container or pot, the container gardening drainage system has to be a great one!

Another point to be taken into consideration for container gardening drainage is – where are the pots or containers going to be exactly placed? If the drainage system results in water getting pooled outside the container instead of inside the container, it serves absolutely no purpose at all! The roots are going to rot anyway and your plants are gone! So it is best that the container garden as a whole is placed on a number of bricks or blocks, leaving adequate space for the water to flow out and away from the containers.

Indoor Plants To Cut Down Toxins And Clean The Air

Do you love breathing polluted air? Is the air present in your home pure and safe?

Do you know that you can develop lung cancer by inhaling polluted and poisonous air?

If you are living with a small kid or toddler, inhaling polluted air can be very hazardous to the health of the small kid.

There are many reasons for air being polluted in the room: it can be caused by a cigar or pollution released by cars or by CFCs released by home electronic equipments.

Air purification can be a somewhat daunting process, as you need to spend lots of money to buy equipment to clean the air. For this reason, many people completely give up the idea of purifying the air, and neglect healthy living because of cost.

If you want to inhale pure air without buying costly equipment, the best idea is to introduce a range of indoor plants to purify the contaminated air.

There are many indoor plants which can help you to purify contaminated air, but there are just as many poisonous ones. When selecting plants, the prime objective is to ensure the plants are safe in all respects.

Role of plants in purifying your indoor air:

Plants absorb dangerous carbon dioxide and exude oxygen. Therefore, when plants are introduced into the home, they use that process to purify the air. [Indoor Gardening]

Leaves of plants absorb the dangerous chemical (CO2) present in the air and cut down adverse effects while purifying it.

The microbes that are present in plant roots absorb chemicals and transfer them as plant food. Specific indoor plants are grown for just this reason; these indoor plants are experts in removing toxins in the air.

<b>Famous indoor plants that purify the air:</b>

All indoor plants can make good purifiers, but some are better than others at cutting down adverse effects, like:

1. Areca palm
2. Lady palm
3. Dwarf date palm
4. Rubber palm
5. English ivy
6. Peace lily
7. Dragon tree
8. Boston fern
9. Poinsettia [Growing Poinsettias]
10. Christmas cactus
11. Spider plant
12. Golden pothos
13. Florist chrysanthemums
14. Chinese evergreen
15. Warneck dracaena
16. Snake plant
17. Janet craig dracaena
18. Gerbera daisy
19. Bamboo
20. Foam carpet pads

Pruning trees correctly beautifies virtually any landscape, while unsuitably doing this can to a great extent ruin and reduce the landscape’s capability. Considering this, it is much better not to prune than to improperly do it. Incorrect pruning strategies weaken and strain healthy plants. Most plants in time get pruned in some means. The leaves will sooner or later fade and die or they may drop off because of high winds or storms.

You can snip trees at whatever time of the year. Henceforth, these times may vary depending on the category of plants or trees you are dealing with. Opposite to what some may imagine, pruning at the wrong time won’t kill the tree or plant; but consistent pruning at the incorrect time will in due course harm and weaken them. normally, the most outstanding time to snip most plants and trees is during late wintertime or early springtime. This is generally when their growth begins. Of course, there will be exceptions and it will totally rely on the kind of plants and trees you are dealing with.

In pruning trees, you should first see it trunk. The tree’s trunk flare should be very seeable at soil level. Also remember that there should be no sprouts or root suckers near the flare. If root suckers are present, excavate its root and cut if off. Furthermore, you must remove any trunk sprouts from the flare and leave the branch collar intact.

Trunks of younger trees sometimes have temporary branches that are placed between the flare and the lowest limb that will endure. These temporary branches render food to assist the trunk to acquire thickness from the flare to the leader. Henceforth, these temporary branches need to be eventually removed from the flare upward once or twice every year. This is since the trunk will flourish and the canopy will develop even more branches as time passes.

You need to also observe the canopy of the tree. The first thing you should reckon when removing the canopy of trees is the five Ds. These five Ds are the: Dead, Dying, Damaged, Diseased and Deformed. When one or more these are present, these branches must be removed at transplanting or at any time when the tree is maturing.

The need for pruning trees or plants can be lessend or extinguished by choosing the fitting plant for the location you have. In a landscape plan, plants that possibly could grow too enormous for its site, are not absolutely handy or become unsightly with age have to be applied wisely and kept to a minimal. Advances in breeding and selecting plants in the nursery industry give an extensive category of plants needing little to no pruning at all. But keep in mind that even the most suited landscape plants still demand some pruning.

If you need tree work carried out in New Jersey then take a look at Trenton Tree Removal.

Tips and Techniques For Watering Your Container Garden Plants

The importance of proper watering cannot be stressed enough for your container garden plants. Container Gardens are exposed to wind and sun so they dry out quicker than plants in the ground. There are no exact rules about watering your container garden plants. You have to become acquainted with the needs of various garden plants. The best tip is to examine them daily and water the plant when the surface of the soil begins to look dry. Feeling the soil will also help you determine the moisture needs of your container garden. Or, take the easy way and invest in a water meter if you are not sure.

How much and when to water will depend on the kind of plant and soil, the type and size of container, and the amount of exposure to sun and wind. Climate and the weather also play their part. During hot spells most plants in your container garden need daily water, except those in small clay pots, which may require it twice. Some plants, like fuchsias and tuberous begonias, wilt when dry, but geraniums and succulents are not so sensitive to neglect. On the other hand, it is good to let soil dry out a little between watering. This prevents the soil from depleting its nutrients.

Since unglazed containers dry out quickest, watch them more closely. Wooden tubs, window boxes, and planters dry out more slowly; metal is the slowest of all. Groups of plants in large containers keep moist longer than single specimens. A good technique to avoid excess dryness is to have groupings of plants, arranged close together. This allows the container plants to shade one another to keep cool and stop moisture evaporation.

There are several methods of watering the plants. If you have many containers in your container garden, depend on the hose, allowing water to flow through slowly and gently. Water small pots with a watering can that has a long spout or buy one of the self watering containers now available. When plants are grouped closely in a container garden, set up a sprinkler or hose with a fine spray nearby, allowing it to run for a long while, until the soil is soaked. In many states where the climate is dry, an automatic sprinkler system is a must to keep your whole garden hydrated. Remember this tip with geraniums and petunias, avoid sprinklers which spot blossoms.

One thing is certain; you must not depend on rain to keep your container garden plants hydrated. Even heavy showers deposit a surprisingly small amount of moisture, and unless rains are frequent and lengthy, you must do your own watering. Remember those window boxes and other containers near houses or under trees can stay dry in spite of an all-day downpour.

Though it is essential to give enough water to your container garden, it is equally important not to over water and so cause root rot. Over-watering also prevents aeration of the soil, and will cause the plant to drown.

One good method is to set your container garden, if the containers are not too large, in a basin or pail of water for several hours, or until the surface of the soil feels moist (this is the theory behind self watering containers). Or immerse the pot in a tub or large barrel of water and leave it there until air is eliminated and the bubbling stops.

The best general rule is to soak soil thoroughly when you water and then allow it to go just a bit dry before you water your container garden again. Best of all, keep a small spiral notebook and paste the care of each plant into it so that you will always have the needs of each individual plant at your fingertips.

If you go away for long periods during the summer, give the container garden serious thought before making it a project. On the other hand, you can enjoy both holidays and plants if you are absent for only short periods. The best safeguard is to entrust your container garden to a responsible friend. Or if you are going away for a vacation at your second home, or one that you have rented, take the container garden with you as a little bit of home.

Several techniques can be practiced. One is to arrange smaller containers in boxes of peat moss, sawdust, or soil, which has been well soaked. Then there is the pot-in-pot method, whereby small pots are set in larger ones, with moist peat moss inserted between.

As mentioned above, in many of the garden centers self watering containers are offered for sale. These are ideal for your container garden when you are traveling or taking a vacation.

Happy Container Gardening!

Copyright © 2006 Mary Hanna All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.

Gardening Plants

Do you love to garden but just not sure how? Are you bored with the same ‘ole landscape or gardening plants year after year? So why not try something different this year? There are many ways that you can go about finding different plants to plant and make your garden look professionally landscaped.

Sure, you can go spend hours and/or days walking around at various garden centers looking for different kinds of plants to use or you can stay at home and do all you’re shopping right from your own computer.

Before you can start shopping online you must be able to answer a few questions such as…how much room are you looking to fill or what is your soil type, climate and time of year? These are all very important questions that need to be answered before you can start shopping for gardening plants.

One of the hardest times of year that people have trouble with is the winter months, winter seems to be so hard to get plants to grow. Winter gardening begins well before the first frost has a chance to settle on the plants in your garden. If fall is quickly approaching and you have not begun adding plants that will bloom during winter months, or designed your garden to have winter appeal it is time to start.

There are very few plants that do bloom in the winter, but the ones that do can greatly enhance an otherwise drab garden in the dead of winter. To begin gardening for the winter months you need to first learn about the different types of plants that can be used to add contrasting color, texture and height to your yard.

Here are different types of plants and different ways to use them in your garden to add appeal during the cold winter months.

Shrubs are a great way to add character, foliage, and height to your garden. Shrubs that flower during early and late or throughout the winter months are even better. The foliage provides a backdrop for your garden throughout the summer months, fall sees the leaves change color, and finally colorful blooms add color to a drab winter garden.

Witch hazel is shrubs that will bloom during late fall to late winter, depending on the variety. Orange witch hazel, Vernal Witch Hazel and Common Witch Hazel are three different varieties that can be used with winter appeal in mind. Rhododendrons are another shrub that can be added for its blooms which make an appearance during the last of the winter months.

At Tennessee Nursery you can find many grasses, shrubs, flowers and trees that will last all winter long blooming to its full potential in making your yard look professionally landscaped all year long not just in winter but all year. Now in the cold months when your neighbor’s entire yard looks dead and dreary you can be the envy with your beautiful yard. Check them out at www.tnnursery.net  .

Related Garden Plants Online Articles

How to Care and Grow Crassula Ovata or Jade Plants Flowering Container Garden Favorites

Crassula ovata or Jade plants are shrubby succulent plants that make excellent choices for dry gardens and container plants.  Xeriscaping with drought tolerant cactus and succulent plants has become popular in dry areas or places where water conservation is a concern.  Jades have thick, deep green leaves sometimes tinged with red on the edges. The leaf shape, like the name ovata implies, are oval from 1 – 2 inches long.

Crassula ovata develop thick, fat trunks that have an aged look and will eventually grow up to 8 feet tall.  In late winter jade plants get 3 inch clusters of light pink to pale salmon flowers with five petals. These perennial plants are drought tolerant and only need water once a month or so.

Indoors, succulent jade plants make good houseplants in containers.  They prefer bright, indirect light and can take a few hours of direct sunlight but they are also adapted to low light.  In a pot, Jade stay small and can even be used for bonsai.  Crassula ovata is sometimes confused with Crassula argentia, which has a similar growth habit, but has silvery grey leaves.  Crassula are usually not bothered by insects or disease.  The biggest problem crassulas face may come from over watering.  This will result in a soggy brown, rotting trunk.

In the garden, drought tolerant jade plants will grow in light shade to full sun.  In hottest desert areas, crassula do better when they don’t have an entire day of full sun.  Crassula ovata are hardy to 41 degrees (5 degrees centigrade).  A light frost will show up at brown dots on leaves.  Overhead protection is usually enough to protect succulents during a light frost.  Heavy frost, or a deep freeze will turn leaves brown and shriveled.  Frozen leaves will fall off, or you can brush them off with your hands.  If the plant branch or trunk is not damaged, new sprouts should form in a few weeks.

Green jade plants are able to live off rainfall alone in many areas.  In my southern California garden, crassula are happily growing in both full sun and shade, in heavy alkaline, clay soil.  You can see photos of flowering jade plants at http://www.theGardenPages.com .

To root cuttings like jade plant or gollum jade, start with a 5 or 6 inch cutting.  Bury about half of the stalk in soil.  This will give you deep roots and helps the plant withstand drought better.  Keep the soil moist (like a squeezed sponge).  After a month, cut back to monthly watering.  The leaves will probably shrivel a bit as the plant forms roots: it is living off the stored energy in its leaves.  This is normal.  You may also lose a few leaves, which is also normal.  The plant will start growing again and may even flower in a year.

Visit at http://www.theGardenPages.com to see crassula plant photos and read about more plants that are versatile and easy to grow.  Their winter bloom make jade plants a great addition to any garden or home.

Related Flower Container Gardening Articles