Portulacaria Afra "Elephant Bush Tree"

Portulacaria Afra 

Portulacaria Afra Tree "Elephant Bush Tree"
*Trees are growing in a 1 Gal. Pot, Tree will Ship Bare root (without pot and soil) Pot size is only notated for your reference.
* If you are going plant your cactus or succulent in a pot, have it prepared beforehand with cactus mix soil (recommended), then water lightly.
*If you going to plant it into the ground, ensure proper drainage
*We Only ship Priority to ensure your Succulents plant will take between 2 to 3 days to arrive, we are not responsible for any the shipping carriers are delays.
* My Jades have really short roots, We reefed to the gallons that are planted in the add so you can see or estimate the actual size of the plant, do not expect to receive any Jade with long roots, That's why these trees are easy to Trim and give a shape as a bonsai tree and plant them in a shallow pot.
* We try to ship our succulent plants as soon as we get the order is customer responsibility to be aware of the plant arrival also customers will get a notification by email. If the customer wants to delay or change the day of the shipment please contact us as soon as possible.
*We take great care in the packaging of your plants, but unfortunately the same cannot always be said in how they are handled once they leave us
.*Is the customer responsibility to purchase a (Heat pack) if the Succulent plant is ship to a cold area, we usually recommended it if the whether is 35* or lower, If you are purchasing a large succulent plant please make sure you buy enough heat pack to cover the plant (1 heat pack every 12") We are not responsible for damages to the Succulent plant if is NOT enough coverage of the heat pack, and if is delay by USPS, the heat only will keep the box warm for 72 hours.

Portulacaria Afra Tree "Elephant Bush"

Portulacaria afra, a South African native, is also known as Small-Leaf Jade or Elephant Bush (due to it being part of the African elephant's diet). This succulent makes an excellent plant for beginning bonsai enthusiasts due to its easy care and ability to take to many shapes. In its natural environment the may grow as tall as 12 feet.

Because this plant is not a North American native, it cannot be collected in the wild but may be purchased from DallasBonsai.com throughout most of the year.

Tree's Attributes:
The trunk of this fleshy wooded succulent is green on young plants, turning to a smooth reddish-brown as the plant ages. The dark green leaves are small and round, opposite, and thick because of their high moisture retention. The small blossoms range from pale pink to purplish, and will only bloom in winter when the plant senses changes in the amount of sunlight.

Temperature/Lighting/Location:
Elephant Bush Tree is considered a true indoor and outdoor bonsai, tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions. It is, however, a tropical and as such cannot be exposed to long periods of cold; freezing temperatures will kill it. When grown indoors the plant should be exposed to natural sunlight through a window, and if not possible, fluorescent lights placed very close to it. Full outdoor sun in appropriate climates will result in fast growth of foliage.

Watering:
Portulacaria afra, being a succulent, does not need frequent watering. While it will tolerate more water than many bonsai, still, be cautious about over-watering – allow the soil to become nearly dry in between watering. The interesting thing about these plants is that unlike most bonsai, jade gives off clearly visible signs of needing water – the leaves become flattened and may wrinkle. Always use a well-draining soil.

Fertilizing:
Elephant Bush Tree should be fertilized about every four weeks throughout spring and summer with a well-balanced formula. No special mix or instructions are required. This is a fast-growing bonsai when fertilized and cared for properly. Refrain from fertilizing in the winter.

Pruning/Training:
Shapes – informal upright, root-over-rock, slanting, full cascade. Forest arrangements can also be quite striking with this specimen.

These succulent bonsai are difficult to train by wiring. The branches are fragile and tend to break under too much pressure. Pinching foliage and guiding branch growth via pruning are more effective ways of achieving the shape you want. Extensive pruning is easier if the plant is allowed to dry before removing larger branches and roots. Cut flat to the bark rather than concave to minimize scarring.

The weight of the water in jade's leaves will cause the branches to naturally droop, lending to cascade style if the foliage is pinched and guided properly. Control the direction of growth by pinching off at a set of leaves that are growing in your desired direction. Remove the terminal bud from branches to stop their growth. Pinching normally needs to be done each week during the growing season on this vigorously growing bonsai.