Crassula arborescens is ideal for bonsai with its generous evergreen foliage and pleasing miniature proportions.

 With its generous evergreen foliage and its pleasing miniaturized proportions - the leaves especially, in bonsai cultivation, become very small - the Portulacaria is a plant definitely appreciable as a piece of furniture inside an apartment. I

t is characterized by a very natural aspect and by the easiness of shaping. 

The most commonly adopted species in bonsai cultivation is Crassula arborescens, whose leaves are a striking jade green. 

Despite being a flowering plant, it is very rare for flowering to occur when grown as a bonsai. 

The styles to which it is best suited are upright, double-trunked and multi-trunked.

Crassula arborescens is ideal for bonsai .

Crassula arborescens is ideal for bonsai with its generous evergreen foliage and pleasing miniature proportions.

Exposure.

Place in a very bright area. The plant develops well under direct sunlight and loves to stay warm. 

The temperature should never be lower than 10° C.

Watering.

Moderate both in summer and in winter. To avoid leaf wilting, let the soil dry well between watering.

Soil.

Soil composed of: 60% akadama, 30% pozzolana and 10% river sand.

Re.potting.

Every 2/3 years preferably in spring. After repotting water sparingly.

Pruning.

Prune the branches as needed, during the growing season, removing the leaves that grow directly on the trunk and at the base of the branches to bring out the shape of the tree.

Picking.

Remove in spring, using fingertips, the shoot apices as soon as they reach the desired length.

Winding.

You can apply the wire at any time of the year. It must be kept in mind, however, that to shape this species, it is always better to use pruning.

Fertilization.

At the vegetative resumption (March-April) fertilize every 10-15 days combining Bonsan Stimulating Fertilizer with Bonsan Organic Liquid Fertilizer. From April to September, fertilize every 10-15 days with Bonsan Organic Liquid Fertilizer or Bonsan Organic Solid Fertilizer Aburukasu, avoiding July and August. From September to February, simply use Bonsan Organic Liquid Fertilizer once a month. To stimulate rooting, use Bonsan Fluid Organic Mineral Fertilizer with B vitamins instead of Bonsan Organic Liquid Fertilizer.

Care.

It is rarely subject to mealybugs and slugs.