Viewing post #2541036 by Baja_Costero

I am also curious to see pictures if anyone has any.

I have grown a few jades here and there over the years, and tested the limits of how long they can tolerate being in a container that's too small to allow any real growth (mainly out of laziness). One thing you kind of have to consider before you get too far along is what you want to use for the starting material. Most of the larger, especially the stouter bonsai plants that you might see (the really impressive ones) were started as cuttings from a plant that was growing in a much bigger container, or the ground. Once a bonsai jade has been staged, it will put out new leaves but very little new stem. Starting from a small cutting or a plant in a tiny pot will change the outcome dramatically, and make it a lot harder to arrive at the sort of stout, low, wide proportions that look good for bonsai (in my opinion). So maybe think outside the box (literally) and start with something that already has some heft, in order to stack the odds in your favor down the road.

There's a great book called Bonsai Succulents (also known as Pachyforms II) by Philippe de Vosjoli and Rudy Lime which I highly recommend as a source for inspiration and ideas in this realm. They get into some really exotic species but the more common ones are also represented, along with lots of useful, helpful tips to make the most out of the discipline.