will my jade plant re-sprout new growth?

half of my jade plant was killed by over-watering this past summer. will my plant sprout new growth, or should i expect that what is left will get larger, leaving the empty space empty???

 

What's left will keep growing, what's dead most likely won't.

 

Nice thought Lorax, There's a theory in there somewhere :}

You could break a couple of leaves off and lay them on top of the empty side and they should grow new plantlets at the leaf base (if you don't overwater them) or as Lorax suggested allow the remainder to grow.

 

Chungii, the theory is a law of conservation of energy... Why would a plant expend its precious ATP trying to push growth out of mostly dead tissue, when there's perfectly good healthy tissue available to it?

 

that is a very good point, i will try and use a few leaf sprouts and see if they can root in the soil. should i wait until i water next to try and root when the soil is wet, or is it better when the soil is dry. i probably wont water it again for another 2 to 3 weeks, maybe longer

 

Don't succulent cuttings need to callous over for a few days before being put in compost?

 

It's always a good idea. Callousing prevents rot and infection from setting in, and can also help prevent damping off of the new start.

 

Yeah it's best to sit them in a dry shady spot and leave them until you see roots forming. However with jade (Crassula) I've found they'll do just about as good when placed on the surface where you want them to grow. It seems they'll be fine so long as they're not watered too much. They fall into the tops of my pots and sprout happily.

And Lorax I wish I'd have had the sensibility to say it as simple as you put it at times. Trying to describe why something won't come back to a customer who's hopeful face stares at you blankly and when you finish your explanation you get a shy look and a 'So it's dead?' :}

 

so what is the best way to take a cutting off the original plant? is there a specific time that it should be done or will it work if i do it this week?

once the leaf hardens and sprouts roots, do i just stick it in the soil and hope for the best or do i just lay it on top and let the roots grow in to the soil and straighten the leaf out?

i've never done this before so all the help you can give me i would appreciate.

thanks,

Nik

 

I've found laying them on top to be the most effective way. The roots will head down and the plant will grow upward. It probably would be best to lay the leaves in the shade until roots form (I was using a plastic tray uncovered when I first started playing around with succulent leaf cuttings). Make sure they are in a dry position until they begin growing, you can leave them until the leaf has nearly all but died or move them once a few roots are showing. Just be sure to not let them stay constantly wet or they will rot.
Cuttings are very similar best left for 2-7 days to callous over before planting. Water and let dry between next watering and do so until roots show at base of pot you've put cutting into.
Even when fully rooted, as with most succulents, maintaining a minimum watering schedule and very well drained soil are important for healthy plants.

 

Forgot to add timing is not important if you have moderate climate. In the cold however, I'd be inclined to wait til warmer weather. You could probably sit the pieces on top of a hot water system or even the refridgerator as these areas are reasonably constant warm temp areas of the house.

 

Does the same thing work for cactus cuttings Chungii? My Mum has a few cacti at home, which i was planning on rooting cuttings of to take back with me but it is quite cold in England right now.....would they be happy in the airing cupboard? Oh and is it better to cut or break off the segments? Thanks:)

 

I have been shown two ways to take cacti cuttings:
The first is pulling off the branch you want use as cutting and actually removing the 'core' in the process. You'll see a little fine fibrous piece at the base of the stem as you pull it out. I find if you do too much of this it will eventually have a detrimental effect on the parent plant especially in smaller species.
The second and my preferred way is to slice of the piece at branching. You can prune to shape at the same time. If it's not possible to get a branching piece you can often cut the top off a plant and it will produce new growth either at prune or shoot again at base.
Both types of cutting should be treated the same as leaf cuttings and left to callous and given minimal water when planted until roots have developed.

 

Thankyou:), I think the second way sounds kinder and they all have lots of branches so that shouldn't be a problem.