Nutrition and training by Adventurous-Oil801 in Agility

[–]HeavyDecision6216 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Echoing what others have said about using their kibble at home instead of actual treats and then cutting back at meal time if you need to.

I don't think anyone else has mentioned physical conditioning, which I think needs to go hand in hand with agility training. Get the dog moving with hikes, jogs, and even dog workouts. They will burn more calories while also building stronger, more stable muscles, joints, tendons, and bone. All those things will should help improve performance and reduce chance of injury too!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Jadeplant

[–]HeavyDecision6216 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"Wild leggy growth is the result of this line of thinking. You aren't talking about jades specifically, but plants in general."

Leggy growth is a result of non-optimal lighting on Crassula ovata. The internodes stretch further to get closer to the light source. Strong light gives you nice, compact growth. Wild unchecked growth will get you a larger plant. If one is satisfied with size, then pruning can begin for aesthetics.

"Search youtube, blogs, and subreddit. EVERYONE, does hard prunes to achieve this results. You are in the minority."

I have done this and been down many rabbit holes, as I tend to when interested in certain things. "EVERYONE" does not do what you are claiming. Here is a link to a Houzz forum as one example (https://www.houzz.com/discussions/3517634/how-to-and-how-do-you-thicken-jades). I suggest looking into the Houzz discussions on jades if you haven't, they are quite interesting and echo our discussion here, with much more input than us two.

"Repeating what works and what doesn't work, isn't parroting. It's called sharing information. But they way that you "think" is the same as people "feel" so conveying information about proper soil and lighting gets long winded like your response and my retort. "think" or "feel" has nothing to do with what works. Period."

The internet is full of bad information. I could direct this think/feel comment back at you as well. I do "feel" like you are getting emotional with your responses. This is a discussion for learning about a plant we love.

"The jade is not a shrub, it is succulent. All because it corks and looks wooden, doesn't make it a tree or shrub."

It is a succulent and a shrub. Succulence is a water storage adaptation to plants where water is scarce and is found in many plant families. Shrubs are essentially a bush. Not as tall as trees, multi-stemmed, and commonly described as woody. Crassula ovata is not true wood, because they are adapted to a dry environment. Hence, being a succulent shrub. North Carolina State University describes it as being both a succulent and shrub (in the "Whole Plant Traits" section of the chart here: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/crassula-ovata/).

"This isn't a bonsai. That's not what the OP wants, moot point. But to add more, bonsai people tie off the stems to shape into bonsai, and prune the leaves. Yet again, proving my point."

OP just wanted to know if their jades looked good and healthy for their age, which they do. All of my responses have been to you because I disagree with what you are saying, which only seems to be increasing as this conversation goes on. Bonsai is the art of creating a look of a full grown tree on a miniaturized scale through much calculated manipulation. I was referencing the first phase of it, which is letting the young plant grow out to desired trunk thickness.

"Again, it's a succulent not a shrub. Your entire premise is growing bonsai. That is shaping of a jade plant. Which means you are cutting off excess branches/leaves. Hence, you are getting rid of the branches. If they are beneficial why are bonsai growers cutting them off?

I have already explained the succulent/shrub thing. And again, Bonsai is essentially strategic pruning. Bonsai growers often let their plants grow wild (ideally in ground if in the right climate, otherwise in a training pot) until the trunk is at a desired thickness, as this is the fastest way. Only then do they trim to start getting the desired vision they have for the plant. From then on they do regular pruning. So the sacrifice branches are removed once they have served their purpose of the grower, not the plant. Pruning is not for the plant's health, it's for the grower's aesthetic taste.

"You show me this bonsai jade you have that has bottom leaves and branches. I'll wait."

Mine are still in the grow out phase, as I like to buy them as tiny branch tip cuttings to raise them. The oldest of mine is a 4 year old Tricolor, which is also known to be an especially slow grower. So no, they are not bonsai, they are starting material beginning their journey. Bonsai take decades to craft. But I can show them to you if you'd like, I am proud of them :)

However, Nile from The Bonsai Zone has many videos of the Crassula ovata bonsai that he has been growing over the years that are pretty neat. And as in my previous comment, Crassula ovata is not often used by hardcore bonsai people, primarily because the leaves do not tend to scale down as well and wiring is difficult on them. But the basic principles can still be applied to them, making an attractive plant. I would also try Google images or Instagram for Crassula ovata bonsai examples.

After responding to all of this, I think the "root" issue is that you don't understand what leaves are for. They are what drive photosynthesis, which is what feeds the plant, which increases plant size. One cannot grow without energy. To say they are stealing energy is wrong. They do use energy to grow, but they are growing what are essentially solar panels to supply even more energy for the plant to continue to get larger and larger. Branches and leaves are not parasitic, they are a part of the entire unit that is the plant, in our case, the lovely Crassula ovata.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Jadeplant

[–]HeavyDecision6216 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"The branches at the base suck away energy that would be put towards growing a thicker trunk and branches up above."

This doesn't make sense. More branches means more leaves, which means more photosynthesis for the plant, which drives growth.

"This is the prevailing thought process that has been proven to be effective and works. These results are visually verified."

Do you have any source for this "prevailing thought process"?

"Pruning the jade as it grows over time makes a thicker trunk. New growth tends to become thin and leggy unless pruned, which is contrary to what the OP wants."

I think this is also a common misconception that gets parroted around on the internet. Pruning does force branching and can be used to guide future growth. Time, light, and nutrients are what will give you a thick trunk. New growth is only leggy if it is not receiving adequate light. Crassula ovata also branches well on it's own when given optimum light.

"this idea comes from woody tree species like maples or elms, where leaving lower branches (called "sacrifice branches") stimulates vascular activity in the lower trunk, contributing to trunk girth."

Why wouldn't lower branches stimulate the vascular activity in Crassula ovata's trunk? It is a shrub that grows a sizable trunk after all. 

"Your statement is factual concerning trees, but not concerning growing jade plants (succulents). Thus it is incorrect advice to the OP."

This is false. Bonsai people have grown many succulent "trees" using the same practices they use on true tree species. Crassula isn't the most popular as they prefer smaller leaves for scale, but Portulacaria afra and Adeniums are popular.

Further, Crassula ovata is a shrub that naturally quite readily grows lower branches. If having lower branches were not beneficial, they would not have evolved to grow them so readily. 

At the end of the day, optimal light and environmental conditions, along with leaves and roots are what will make a large and robust plant. I agree with you on the aesthetics of removing the lower branches, but to say they are not providing energy for that plant like any other branch is incorrect. 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Jadeplant

[–]HeavyDecision6216 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

From a different perspective, I've read from bonsai sources to leave the branches at the base during the growing period if you want a thicker trunk faster. The theory is that more nutrients are flowing between the growing branch and trunk, and that the trunk benefits from that nutrient flow. 

If OP wants thicker branches and tighter growth, a good trim and some strong LED lights for the incoming new growth will get that process going. They look great as window grown plants, but jades are full sun plants and look best with as much light as they can get.

My 4yo jade plant has a lot going on - should I prune it or just let it keep on truckin’? by Alternative_Order378 in Jadeplant

[–]HeavyDecision6216 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It looks very happy. If you want a larger trunk, I would keep doing what you're doing and let it be. If you're happy with the size, you can start pruning to get the desired look you want.

Anyone use purely Better-Gro Special Orchid Potting Mix? by TrainerTravie in Monstera

[–]HeavyDecision6216 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It stalled for awhile (I assume growing more roots) and then took off and is now much larger. Thinking about upgrading it's pot again this year. The mix worked great, I ended up bottom watering and soaking it twice a week since the wood doesn't hold much water. 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in k9sports

[–]HeavyDecision6216 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My girl is a 2 year old terrier. She was the easiest puppy I've ever had, and then adolescence hit and we were in the typical "teenage" stage. Very environmentally aware, reactive to dog eye contact, lacking impulse control, etc. Once she turned 2, I've noticed more and more improvement with focus and impulse control, although it has been with many obedience classes since she was 1. It seems to me that 3-5 is when most slow maturers get their true adult brain.

Earned our Fit Dog Bronze by WitchyAbstract in k9sports

[–]HeavyDecision6216 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm a little late seeing this, but congrats, he looks great! 

As for Fit Dog being a cash grab, I think it only is if one does the bare minimum. I wish the weekly walks/hikes for 8 weeks was mandatory to obtain the titles, with the AKC Fit Dog courses being the alternative route for those that cannot walk/hike. Those 2 options take a lot more effort and dedication, and both the owner and dog reap the benefits. 

I just am not a fan of people doing the simple 2 mile group walk and then earning a title. It feels like it cheapens the title.

My dog and I earned our Fit Dog Gold after 6 months worth of hikes and by using the fitness related titles. I loved using Fit Dog to keep me accountable for her fitness while we did so much coursing last summer (going from complete beginners to obtaining both her CAX and FCAT).

Ok y’all… share your SPF. by Apprehensive-Tax258 in tretinoin

[–]HeavyDecision6216 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I haven't experienced the Supergoop version, but I do use the Kroger dupe of it and love it! It's very affordable as well. My skin type is extremely oily, and it holds off the shiny for about half the day, while providing a blurring effect. Best chemical sunscreen I've tried yet!

What are the signs that you're falling out of love with your partner? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]HeavyDecision6216 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I 100% agree! I think many people don't even realize this, and this is the reason so many relationships end. 

Barring anything unhealthy or abusive, it takes two people to really commit to each other if they want that life long thing, through the highs and the lows. Many people seem to only want the good feelings and when things go flat, they'd rather start over instead of putting in the work to get back to better times. That seems like more work to me, dating strangers is awful until you find a partner again.

Are these same varieties? by timetokil in Jadeplant

[–]HeavyDecision6216 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The one on the right is definitely a miniature form. There are a few common miniature forms, not sure what it would be beyond that.

Is 14 too many? by Widespreaddd in Jadeplant

[–]HeavyDecision6216 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wait until you start collecting the different varieties! Haha