How will I know if Jade cutting has formed roots?

Question

I just read your article about propagating cuttings from a jade plant. I did my cuttings and now am going to put in pots w 1/2 soil and 1/2 vermiculite. How will I know if the cuttings are taking root? Should I start them in glass jars first and then move to pots?

Answer 1

If your cuttings are planted in the 1/2 soil 1/2 vermiculite mix, (hoping this was potting soil, or even rooting mix, not garden soil,) the mix is very loose. After a couple of months, you can gently lift the plants to see how the roots are doing. Or you’ll know they’ve “caught” when you see new growth starting at the top. Not sure what you’re thinking about the glass jars (putting them on top of the cuttings like a greenhouse? putting the cuttings in them so you can see the roots?) but it’s not necessary to cover the jade cuttings, as it is with some other plants. You shouldn’t have to move them at all, actually, until they’ve started to grow and are too big for whatever pot you have them in, so you’ll need to repot them. Also, not all cuttings root; jade plants are fairly easy, but still some will just die instead of root. This is perfectly normal.