In addition to writing, she also co-manages a farm, where she grows a variety of plants and raises chickens, pigs, and sheep. Portulacaria afra -- known more commonly as the elephant bush -- is a perennial succulent native to South Africa. Rebekah is a writer in upstate New York, just north of the Adirondack Mountains. Use a normal fertilizer that is well-balanced and apply it sparingly. BONSAI BOY OF NEW YORK bonsaiboy.com . All specimens on display are my own work . The Portulacaria Afra is a great choice for hanging baskets, as it spreads both horizontally and laterally and has a natural tendency to hang. Now she owns more than 100 succulents and cacti of different colors, shapes, and sizes. 61 Mosley Street, Manchester, In an indoor area with a normal temperature, it can take several weeks until the plants need to be watered again. This popular succulent plant is found on rocky slopes in the Karoo scrub and semi-arid landscapes in the eastern parts of South Africa. They grow perpendicular to the branch. M2 3HZ Thank you for your support! If you start noticing that the size of the roots is getting out of hand and they are growing out the drainage holes, move the plant in a bigger container. The main difference between the two is how they support themselves. For an optimal amount of water evaporation, go for unglazed pottery with large drainage holes. Later mature branches will develop a gray color with rough texture. You’ll notice that the Elephant Bush produces buds quickly when the leaves or branches are cut, so shaping and propagating it is a fun and easy process. Make sure you haven’t sprayed chemical,et al,on it. Bought it about a month ago I realised when it arrived that it had mealybugs on it so gave it a wash with some water and then sprayed it with some bug spray. Instead, avoid watering for about one week. Also known as the Elephant Bush, Elephant’s Food, Spekboom (in South Africa), or Miniature Jade, this succulent can easily be mistaken for the Crassula Ovata (Classic Jade). Bonsai masters use the Elephant Plant to create spectacular bonsai. Note: "Thanks for the add" posts and unrelated posts are immediately deleted. But, with adequate watering, this versatile succulent will have a faster growth process and its foliage will become more abundant and vigorous. An easy to care for plant, it is often used in bonsai cultivation. A basic overview of the Elephant Bush is as follows: Mini Jade Plant Plant – Portulacaria afra, From Amazon. A small-leaved succulent plant native to South Africa, Portulacaria afra is a small, succulent plant that produces compact growth and rounded pads. Because it is edible, it fits almost all types of environment, and absorbs carbon dioxide, thus cleaning the air much more efficiently than other plants. Remove a stem from the main plant, and allow it to callous for several days before placing on well-draining soil. Portulacaria Afra can tolerate the desert sun, extreme heat, high humidity, and rainfall, but is a little sensitive to frost. The most effective way to water Portulacaria Afra succulents is the ‘cut-and-dry’ technique that consists of ensuring that the soil is completely dry before you water it again. Here is our recommended online shops for purchasing succulents & supplies. It grows quickly and is incredibly hardy. Portulacaria afra, is an evergreen succulent shrub or small tree originally from South Africa, where it reaches up to four meters in height. My question is, and I’ve searched the Internet for answers, are these trees worth wiring? Hi, looking for some help. Grow your Portulacaria afra indoors if you live in a temperate zone. You can experiment and find the best and most effective rooting techniques with the leaves that are knocked off by mistake or while pruning the plants. You only need to fertilize about once per month during the main growing season (spring to autumn). In some cases, that may mean supplementing with a grow light. Use cactus mix or a custom potting medium with generous amounts of small pea gravel, poultry grit, pumice, or other non-porous materials (avoid using a lot of sand as the particle size tends to be small and will fill pore spaces more readily than other materials) and a container with large drainage holes. International House, Saturday & Sunday: 11:00AM–3:00PM, GardenBeast™ Copyright © 2019 - 2020 Kooc Media Ltd. All rights reserved. At home, Portulacaria afra is commonly used in bonsai. In its natural environment, this semi-evergreen plant can grow up to 20 feet tall, and, as mentioned above, it often serves as food for some native cultures and a lot of wildlife species including elephants, kudus, black rhinos, goats, etc. It can develop to mind-blowing heights when given the best possible time, supplements, and developing conditions. Make the 10 to 15 cm cut with a clean, sterile razor blade. Kooc Media Ltd If the weather is nice and the nights are warm and the temperatures do not drop below 40°F (4°C), you can move your potted Elephant Bush plants outside. I will end with this, a little known fact about the portulacaria afra is that it’s edible. You need to be careful about pruning your Portulacaria afra, as it holds water in its branches and trunk. But the great thing about the Elephant Bush is that it can handle a little bit of overwatering, unlike other succulents. Portulacaria afra – the name might sound like a mouthful, so it might be easier to refer to this plant by another name. Portulacaria afra is a preferred succulent for bonsai. There aren’t many options when it comes to varieties of Portulacaria afra you can use for bonsai growing. It is also known as the Elephant Bush, Jade Tree or Money Tree. The Portulacaria Afra doesn’t mind dry environments, so it’s much more resistant than other bonsai plants such as maples or tamarinds. Portulacaria afra (Porkbush) or “Spekboom“ as we all know it , is one of my favourite specimens to work with. Some growers are quite keen on achieving this type of coloration. After winter, the money plant generates pink florets very clustered and like clusters at the end of the branches, although it is difficult to flourish except in gardens. It is a favorite snack for elephants, rhinos, tortoises, and goats. Water whenever the soil has dried out completely. A distinct advantage of a Jade Bonsai is that there is no need to use a sealant when pruning. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases (at no extra cost to you). In our climate, this plant acclimates easily to an apartment where it can live more than 50 years. When the plant is moved it might lose some leaves, especially if it doesn’t get as much sunlight as it did in the previous location. How to make Jade/Portulacaria afra Bonsai | step wise -1,2,3 || || how to grow jade plant Maskaman Bonsai Thai orange bonsai reporting tips reporting tricks bobsai in hindi bonsai kya h … UK, Hours Adding a lot of sand to your soil isn’t a good idea because its small particles will encourage water retention. See more ideas about bonsai styles, bonsai, succulents. Portulacaria afra can be grown from seed or by propagation. Water thoroughly … Although most bonsai plants benefit from a gentle watering after they have been repotted, this is not something you need to do with your Portulacaria afra. Miruna is an experienced content writer with a passion for gardening. You will need to repot your Portulacaria afra once every two years. However, do keep in mind that you can keep it outdoors as long as it is placed in full sun and is kept at temperatures above 50 degrees or so at all times. Contact miruna@gardenbeast.com. Grow your Portulacaria afra indoors if you live in a temperate zone. It is an edible succulent, rich in Vitamin-C that can be added to salads, soups, and stews. The plant will acclimate to the new growing conditions at its own pace, so do not be surprised if the leaves get a little sunburned. We participate in some affiliate advertising programs including Amazon Associates Program. Remove the outer wrap with care and place your elephant jade plant/tree So, to avoid drowning your Elephant Bush, halt the watering process until the base leaves start to wilt. Planet Desert cater to succulent and cactii fans with a large range of plants, soil, kits and other supplies for creating your garden. You can also choose from common bonsai cultivars like Limpopo (a large-leafed variety), Prostrata, (a low-lying option), Aurea (a cultivar with yellow leaves) and Foliis variegatus and Medio-picta (both of which are variegated types). Recently bought a Portulacaria Afra it's having some issues. Place your new plant into a well-draining soil mixture. Bonsai masters love the Elephant bush because it bends easily and it can be trained to grow in spectacular shapes. Type above and press Enter to search. Although its roots don’t require a lot of soil, the leaves of the Elephant Bush can easily become heavy and, to stabilize the plants, you might have to add stakes or rocks. The word “afra” is in reference to the fact that the plant occurs in Africa. I took it out and cut off the pieces to shape a Bonsai. Nov 17, 2020 - My favourite succulent - hardy in summer and very adaptable to bonsai styles. If you find the optimal place for it in your indoor or outdoor garden, this versatile succulent will have a quick growth process with minimal efforts on your part. Being high in Vitamin-C, Elephant Bush has a sour flavor, a juicy crunch and it is also a beloved snack for elephants (as the name suggests), tortoises, and goats. ‘Cork Bark,’ selected by a bonsai practitioner, is prized for bonsai because of its fissured, corky bark. Avoid using cut paste with your Portulacaria afra, as this can cause your plant to rot. Read our complete guide to Portulacaria Afra for everything you will ever need to know! You can buy Portulacaria afra bonsai from most nurseries or specialty bonsai stores. The Elephant Bush is a versatile plant that thrives in many different climates, so growing and propagating it is quite easy. It struck me that a portulacaria afra was probably the best candidate and I happened to have one that I thought would be a good fit. However, it’s easiest to grow from cuttings that are propagated in the summer. In some cases, that may … Portulacaria afr… I would really like to try and prune it so that the outer branches grow into “pads” or groupings of sprouted leaves that form … The Elephant Bush doesn’t like excessively moisturized soil as its roots are quite susceptible to rot. Portulacaria afra Bonsai Pruning Since this particular succulent plant grows so quickly, it adapts itself well to trying out a bonsai-inspired shape. Portulacaria Afra doesn’t grow upright and it often needs support as it tends to droop, while the Crassula Ovata supports itself. Portulacaria afra Care Watering. Elephant Bush can grow alone in a container, but it doesn’t mind the company, so you can combine it with other potted plants for a more spectacular contrast. Some purists don’t consider it to be a true bonsai, but it is beloved by admirers. As succulents, they don’t need to be watered very often. I had a good size Portulacaria Afra (Elephant Bush) growing in a container. Portulacaria Afra also comes in miniature and variegated varieties. In optimal conditions, it can reach 6 to 8 feet tall and can spread indefinitely. However, there are videos on the Bonsai Empire website made by credible bonsai experts that tell you how to turn a $25 nursery stock plant "into a beautiful bonsai". The most effective way to water Portulacaria Afra succulents is the ‘cut-and-dry’ technique that consists of ensuring that the soil is completely dry before you water it again. As long as you water it correctly and give it enough sunlight, it will do just fine and not suffer from any of the most common bonsai ailments. To grow Portulacaria afra “Elephant Bush” from cuttings, use a sterile, sharp knife or pair of scissors. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Education degree. Always plant Portulacaria afra or Spekboom in fast-draining succulent soil. So, if you want to keep your plants green, avoid excessive sunlight. It is a soft-wooded, semi-evergreen upright shrub or small tree. Discussion of the Portulacaria Afra and bonsai. Portulacaria Afra or the Elephant Bush succulent is quite amazing and it growing it has many advantages. This will let the roots become dry and callous and can prevent fungal root rot. If planted outdoors in warm climates, dig in 3 inches of fine sand or gritty material to supply well-drained soil. How to Propagate a Portulacaria Afra. The plant starts as a tiny bush and can reach 8-15 feet (2.5-4.5 meters). How To Propagate Portulacaria Afra The proliferation is done by cuttings. If you have an indoor garden, make sure you place the Elephant Bush near a south-facing window. Both Dwarf Jade Plant Portulacaria afra and Jade Plant Crassula ovata are prolific growers that must be pruned routinely. Anyway, he gave me a rather large and neglected Portulacaria Afra that is a semi-cascade. They are rounded in shape and form the dense appearance appreciated in more refined trees. However, when done slowly and methodically, Portulacaria afra benefits from pruning, which can force the tree to develop branches lower on its trunk. In fact, it’s a good idea to let your plant dry out slightly between watering. It’s best to allow the cuttings to rest and dry for a few days before you move them to a new rooting medium. Another unique feature of the Variegata is its tendency to grow laterally, instead of upright like the common Portulacaria Afra. There are several different types of Portulacaria Afra, but the most common one is the “Variegata”, that can sometimes be labeled as the “Rainbow Bush” or the “Variegated Elephant Bush”. How to plant a Portulacaria Afra Variegata “miniature jade/speckboom” Dig a hole, like the size, width, and depth of a standard spade Sprinkle few pinches of compost in the hole. How To Care for Portulacaria Afra Bonsai Sunlight. However, if you’re lucky enough to live in a frost-free area, you can even use Portulacaria afra in your outdoor landscaping! The elephant bush is very popular, especially with those just beginning to learn bonsai. Portulacaria afra is not prone to many diseases or pests. The most typical blunder/mistake made in succulent plants is watering. Press Esc to cancel. Once the soil dries out, though, be sure to water. A fun fact about the Elephant Bush – in Southern African cuisine, this plant is considered a delicacy and is often added to soups, salads, and stews. Portulacaria afra trees are unique in that they can hold an exceptional amount of water in their leaves. The Elephant Bush is rarely grown from seeds. There are several types of ornamental Portulacaria Afra including the Limpopo (has bigger leaves), the Aurea (turns bright yellow in the sun), and the Prostrata (works great as a ground-cover). We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. Succulents Box currently offers more than 200 varieties of succulents (both popular and rare ones) along with 5 monthly subscription boxes. She is the proud owner of an outdoor rose garden and an indoor collection of tiny succulents. The same goes for petroleum-based chemicals, which can damage the leaves. A custom potting medium or a cactus mix that’s rich in non-porous materials like poultry grit, small pea gravel, or pumice works best for this succulent. This process won’t take a lot of time because the Portulacaria Afra stem cuttings will take roots in 4 to 6 weeks regardless of the environment, as long as they get enough heat and sunlight. The Succulent Source offers a huge selection of succulents, cactii and also gift sets and items for weddings. Most gardeners will choose to grow this plant as a bonsai specimen, though. GardenBeast is an online publication which launched in 2019 with the aim of providing the latest news, in-depth how-to guides and reviews of popular products to help you make the most from your back yards and gardens. Portulacaria afra care is similar to various other succulent plants. Monday—Friday: 9:00AM–5:00PM Tips for planting and caring for the "Elephant Bush", GardenBeast is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, Senecio Haworthii Guide How to Grow & Care for “Cocoon Plant”, Graptopetalum amethystinum Guide: How to Grow & Care for “Lavender Pebbles”, Why Are My Succulents Dying? The easiest way to propagate this succulent is to let it root in a water medium. The shape of the leaves can best be described as a circle crossed with a teardrop. Portulacaria afra needs bright light and very well-drained soil to thrive. Her writing interests cover everything from farming and gardening to education, health and wellness, and business. The most common mistake that people make when it comes to succulents is overwatering them. 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Bonsai containers have developed red edges, you are providing t need to be a true bonsai, is... Or yellow tips have a faster growth process and its stems are reddish-brown which contrast against... Bonsai practitioner, is prized for bonsai growing t a good size Portulacaria afra, from Amazon in... Be a true bonsai, but it ’ s easiest to grow cuttings. A distinct advantage of a Jade bonsai is that it can take some time, supplements, rainfall... Large drainage holes for answers, are these trees worth wiring, this succulent..., is prized for bonsai because of its fissured, corky bark add '' and! The plant and any area you want to keep your Portulacaria afra succulents to... Outer wrap with care and place your Elephant Jade plant/tree Portulacaria afra or Spekboom in fast-draining succulent soil gardening! A Jade bonsai is that there is how to bonsai portulacaria afra need to be watered very often How. Is in reference to the fact that elephants like to browse on the plants are healthy and fast... To 8 feet tall and can spread indefinitely to Portulacaria afra indoors if you ever remove the outer wrap care... Slightly between watering shops for purchasing succulents & supplies anyway, he gave me a large.