Questions relating to acquired Jade plant

I searched the forum but didn't find my answer, so am reaching out to y'all. Recently acquired a jade(crassula) in a large pot, maybe 3 gallon size. Their are 5 trunks varying from 1-2" in diameter. The overall height is about 30". I want to hack it back ferociously, then create a grove, which I think I should do in Spring when it starts growing more rapidly. The problem I see is that it is planted in what appears to be garden soil that is very hard, dense, compacted. It has been in this for a while, so it can manage if I don't overwater, but I hope to save a season and repot it now (and downsize the pot). I am not too comfortable that I will judge its watering needs correctly in this soil. Should I wait to repot, as we are heading into the cold season here, or will the plant handle a soil change this time of year? Additionally, can anyone recommend a book on growing jade with bonsai techiques?

It can handle a repot now, or any time. Get rid of all the bad soil and add a good free draining mix. Then make sure you don't over water it. I tend to hold off on watering mine until the leaves begin to shrivel. Through the winter I water my jade every 4-6 weeks or even less. They can handle regular watering conditions during the summer when they are actively growing, but they will die quickly if they are overwatered indoors.

Thanks DreadyKGB.

Okay, I spent the whole day on this repot. The top 1/2" was like cement, and looked like a network of fine roots that had developed over the years, and hardened. And no wonder, because the next 12 inches down revealed itself to be regular old potting soil. The top 1/3 was dry as a bone, the bottom 2/3 very moist. Though the trunks were tall and thick, there was only about 3 inches of root- no roots down where it must have stayed moist a lot. I didn't really want to rinse the soil from the roots, but decided I had to be rid of every speck of it.

I am amazed how forgiving this plant is. And I hope it continues to be. I also cut back the top drastically, so I could work with it. Now all trunks are supported in a frame I made, with good soil in place. Do I treat the whole thing like cuttings, with so little roots left? If so, I will not even water it in for a day or two. Any thoughts on that?

Did you dry the roots after cutting?

I would keep off watering for more than a week or more, if you put it back in the soil.

Usually after trimming the roots on a Jade or Spekboom or Crassula sp or Baobab or Ademium.....you need to dust it with a fungicide and dry it for at least 24 hours ( I do 72 hours) before putting it back in the soil.

I hope your soil mix has a lot of grit in it?

Love Light and Awakening
Andre

The roots air-dried as I worked on preparations. I planted into dry soil but did not water, and I did not dust roots. Two big no-no's? The soil is 60% large chicken grit, 40% pine bark.

Regards, David