When we see a picture, we'll be able to help you more, but you're doing fine. If the soil is suspect, I'd wash all of it off of the root ball, if you can, and keep it in the semi-shade until it's repotted and you acclimate it to full sun again (it grows best there but is very forgiving of less-than-ideal conditions.

I'd also check the leaves for mealy bugs and the like (which ants farm).

Cactusmcharris, I know I'm not one of your favorites on the forum :o(...but I just wanted you to know that you really DO give very good advise. So many of them I have used myself and wanted to say Thanks so much for taking the time to help us...

pug,

That may be true (but I think only because we've not interacted out of school), but you're certainly not a disfavourite of mine - you're too nice for that. And you're welcome.

This post was edited by cactusmcharris on Thu, May 16, 13 at 12:54

I didn't see any mealy bug or scale. The only suspicious thing we found was this reddish thing (see picture). I posted on the pest forum for identification and the only thing someone said was that it could be an egg of some sort.

We already repotted last night, any thoughts how long before I should put back in full sun?

Ten days or so, giving it more sun every few days until full is achieved. Yes, I'd say it wasn't anything to worry about, as long as it doesn't proliferate. You did repot it in porous soil, right? And wait a few days before watering it (this allows broken roots to heal over).

Thanks so much for all your support!

Yes, I did repot in a 50/50 mix of cactus/succulent premix and perlite which is what I read was good from other threads in this forum.

"you're certainly not a disfavourite of mine - you're too nice for that. And you're welcome. "

Thanks!! I'm totally okay with "not a disfavourite of mine"...hopefully, we can change that to tip the scale for the better side :o)

Good Luck dmikulich! You're getting some great advise...I'm sure your Jade will be fine soon.

Sounds like you've got things under control...in line for bringing your plant in the house (I don't have mine in the house). It has been my experience that if you have regular soil/dirt, it will attract ants, worms & rollypolys to make their homes. Yes, ants like to farm pests (which you may or may not have). As for your little red dot...I believe that is a weed seed, coming off a plant that pops & spits these when touched/disturbed. I had a bunch of these in my grass & would find them on me, the dogs, the plants after having done some gardening. Not to worry-just pull out the weed (if others seeded) if it grows!

Good advice from Jeff for acclimating your plant.

Thanks so much everyone! I much prefer it be a weed seed. :) Hope that's it!

The ladybugs have already moved on to other plants, so maybe no pests after all. I'm also not noticing any ants. I'll post a photo this evening.

Finally a picture!

The ants were still there a few days ago, so we put in these Raid Ant Spikes: http://amzn.com/B000WSVKPY

They seem relatively harmless to the plant. Hopefully this will be the end of them.

The plant is getting acclimated to full sun now outside. Now I'm trying to figure out how I should be pruning this one. I'd love some suggestions. I can't decide if I should cut back the new growth on the bottom or leave it alone.

Here is a link that might be useful: Raid Ant Spikes

Amazing looking Jade plant dmikulich! If you wanted to prune it, I think everything around the base would look good to remove, and keep everything above there. Either way wonderful looking plant. Thanks for sharing a picture.

A stately looking Jade.
Great trunk on your specimen.

Josh

great looking plant!
i'd also remove small branches around the base. or may be leave just one: the one on the left of the thick trunk. not sure if it's sprouting from the main trunk or base.
I had ants in indoor plants - proly migrated from new 'nursery purchase'. couldn't get rid of them until I put indoor systemic on all plants in the room. they were beginning to crawl around towards the kitchen - had to prevent any bigger problems in the future.

I love the tall stately look of it. I might do some cleaning up around one side of the base and some minor branches through the structure, adn minor topping. I really like the height. That said, I am talking out the side of my mouth and I really do not know jades.

Get rid totally of the bottom feeders, totally. That's such a nicely sculptured and grown plant, and a little renovation of it will make it an OohandAhh plant.