I've had this plant for four years and haven't thought much of it.... until now

Hi everyone,

About four years ago when began my freshman year of college, I went to a bonsai store at the mall and purchased what I was told is a "jade bonsai" so that I would have something lively and refreshing to look at in my room. I wasn't expecting it to last very long, but somehow, four years later, it is still alive. It's survived overwatering, moving from location to location, and things accidentally falling on it. Now that I'm almost done with my undergraduate education, I've realized that I really want to put a lot of care into this tree. Here's what I'm doing at the moment:

1) I'm watering this plant thoroughly about once a month (more in the summer, less in the winter).
2) It's kept inside next to a window at all times.
3) Since I'm unable to keep the tree outside, I have a growing light (the type with the blue and red lights) placed above the tree for about 14 hours a day.

And I have the following questions:

1) Repotting. My internet search has shown that I should be repotting every 2-3 years, but I haven't yet done this. Some sources have said to do the repotting in the spring, others have said in the summer, when the plant is dry. I've also seen different sources saying to either water or not water the plant after repotting. Can I get some clarification on exactly when/how I should go about repotting?

2) Pruning/Styling. My tree has such a weird shape right now due to having lost a few branches and a bunch of leaves at a few points over the last few years. How do I know what leaves I need to take off and when. Essentially, how do I make this tree look like a tree again?

3) Feeding. Right now I only water the plant. Does it also need fertilizer or any other supplements?

I've taken a few pictures, let me know if I need to take any more pictures from other angles. Thanks!






Sorry about the orientation of the images, I have no idea how to get them upright.

you have a portulacaria afra (not a true jade) aka spekboom in the native afrikaans along with elephant bush, dwarf jade, etc...

this should help:

http://www.bonsaitoolchest.com/v/vspfiles/caresheets/dwarf-jade.pdf

https://adamaskwhy.com/2012/08/22/dwarf-jade-portulacaria-afra/

Just remember it is a desert plant. It is soft like a succulent, it likes drought and heat, and LOTS OF LIGHT. You can't keep it outside, so you are right to use the light on it.

To regrow the parts that have died or snapped you will need to make sure that there are some buds on that side. Let them grow free while plucking the largest leaves on the rest of the tree about 2 - 3 times a year as long as you can see growth. Don't do this in winter.

The energy should go into the new branches you are growing and they should extend and eventually catch up with the rest. Don't priune anything off the new branches until you are happy with their thickness. Use plant food in dilute form.

If you show us a pic of the soil surface without all that brown stuff we might offer advice about repotting.