Finally Repotting the Jade Jewel

So due to perhaps not quite having the perfect pot, I realized recently that I still had my jade jewel "on display" in just a plastic sleeve type of pot.  Since the plant has demonstrated significant growth since I bought it, and I had picked up a few pots at a yard sale late this summer, I figured today might be a good day to repot it.

After gently separating the soil from the pot walls, I was able to slip out the root mass.  As you can see below, it was probably will appreciate the slightly larger pot I put it into.

Below you can see the new pot is probably an inch or so greater in diameter than the previous pot.  Not a huge step up, but at least now it has a classier home!  As per usual, there is a stone base in the pot to help with drainage (not pictured).

To fill in the void of the new diameter, I used some "all purpose" potting soil I found on sale at a local hardware store.  It smelled a little "fresh" so I decided to mix in some peat moss, perlite, vermiculite and bark.  The bark I threw in mainly in an effort to match the mix the plant came with - it's not the same kind of bark, but maybe it'll have some of the same nutrients.

And ta da!  New pot in place.  Today I put up some of that "window cling wrap" product, in the hopes of creating a more comfortable wintry environment for both me and my little babes.

Jade Jewel (Dracaena)

I don't usually purchase plants of this size (I like to start them from itty bitty babies), but since I had a gift card I decided to splurge on something a little further along!  The plant did not come with an instructional tag, so after a bit of research I have deduced the following:

1.) Propagate:

2.) Water: regularly, do not overwater

3.) Light: indirect light

4.) Fertilize:

5.)

As you can see, I don't have much figured out with this one!  But it appears to be making progress with growth.  My understanding is they can reach a decent height, such that I may be able to trim back the lowest leaves, exposing the "trunk" to make it look like a palm.

April 2014:

June 2014:

After just two months, we already show signs of steady growth!  Granted, we are in the growing-est point of the year, approaching the summer solstice.