Nursing Portulacaria afra (Elephant bush) . . .

edwardorino

My mom gave me a Portulacaria afra to take care of. The poor thing was in bad shape; the roots were rotten, branches were falling off, the soil was drenched, etc.

I repotted the little guy, and I was wondering if I can treat it like a recovering Crassula. In Colin Lewis' "Bonsai Survival Guide", he recommended keeping the soil barely moist to encourage root growth. Does this work for the Portulacaria? Also, should I place it in the shade?

This site has been so helpful! Does anyone have an opinion?

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edwardorino

Anybody?

EarthgirlOK

Well, hopefully, you will get more experienced replies, but I'll take a shot.

One question would be, how wet was it when you repotted it, and did you water it after you repotted it? What was it's location like before you got it? I would have let it dry out first before repotting it. You probably want to give it filtered sunlight outside and do not water.

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edwardorino

Thanks EarthgirlOK!

One question would be, how wet was it when you repotted it, and did you water it after you repotted it?

Well, that's a couple of questions. It was pretty wet, and the soil wasn't very free-draining. I spritzed it a little.

What was it's location like before you got it?

My mom kept it in the house. When I moved it to my place, I kept it outside. I'm currently giving it filtered sun and spritzing the plant every now and then. Should I stop spritzing?

EarthgirlOK

Ok, that sounds pretty good. Except, I'd suggest leaving it alone. Don't spritz or water until the leaves start to prune or wrinkle a little-the best way to know when to water.

It will probably struggle for a while. Likely, the roots were suffering from some root rot, and that will take a while for it to recover from. Portulacarias, like crassulas, are more like a succulent than a bonsai, and so respond well to neglect. If it lives, it will probably sulk for a while. Do nothing more to it until you begin to see new growth and healthier foliage. I'd say you should see some improvement in about two or three weeks if it decides to be a trooper and pull through.

Just my two cents-again, there might be someone with more experience than me.

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edwardorino

Thanks again EarthgirlOK! I'll neglect that little guy. Btw, what exactly is your avatar?

Daytonabonsai

Hey , I think earthgirl's just about square on the head. If its soaked and youd have to let it sit in water for a few more days , Id take it out , wash all the soil off the roots , and keep it out of a pot for up to a week and let it get nice and dry in the semi- shade. Then , repot it DRY!! dont water at all until it starts to push out new growth , even if the leaves get wilty and start to drop a little. Portulacarias are one of the succulants that produce roots in absence of water , instead of in presents of water . But , once it does start to make roots (ussually shown by new top green growth) you can start to lightly water and gradually move it out into more sun. in a month or two , you can start treating it like any or other trees , as long as the nights are above 60. Once that happens, cut back on your day to day watering so as to help prevent root rot . ANd protect below 45 from the cold , again to prevent root rot.
ALthough EGO already pointed you in the right direction , just thought this may help a bit . BTW , Portulacarias are one of my favorite trees. Jason

edwardorino

Thanks Daytona. I've stopped misting it, and the soil is pretty dry. I'll monitor the little guy very closely. I'll post a pic of it soon so you can guys can see the progress.

Thanks!
Eddy

midwestbonsai

I agree with Daytona

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