MY BONSAI-EN - Crassula arborescens

Species Information

This is not really a tree at all, but rather a small, squat succulent plant that occurs on dry, rocky hillsides in the South African Cape Province. Being a plant from a semi-desert area, this plant is able to thrive in the hottest temperatures, and can even survive light frosts.

Being a succulent plant with soft bark and wood, this tree can not really be wired, but should rather be shaped with regular hand pruning.

Height: 1-2m in height, not usually taller than 3m.
Bark: Grey-green in colour, succulent and smooth.
Leaves: Leaves are almost round, to broadly ovate, approximately 3x3cm in size. Leaves are thick and fleshy, with a grey waxy bloom. Has a tapering base, with a rounded or obscure sharp apex. The margin is entire and is often reddish rimmed. Petiole is absent.
Flowers: Flowering from September to November with white to pink flowers in dense, branched, almost spherical heads.
Fruit: Fruit appears between November and January. They small (6cm long) with 3-5 seperate, oval, sharply tipped follicles remaining among the dried remains of the persistent petals.

My Tree


Jade/Money Tree	Another lucky draw, another tree. This tree has lots of potential, but I do not intend on touching it just yet. I will let it grow in its present pot and begin work on it towards the end of winter by repotting and deciding on the appropriate style.
Apart from repotting this tree during late winter, I have done nothing else to it except fertilise and water. I am not exactly sure on where to start with the shaping of this tree. You cannot wire it, but only train it with pruning. I will just leave it for now as it seems healthy enough and does not seem to be getting much bigger.	Repotted
After some serious debate, I have decided to not continue with this tree as a Bonsai. Instead, we have repotted it into a large pot and is to be just a normal potted tree on our verandah.

Crassula arborescens

Jade/Money Tree

Repotted