Stitious?

I have a jade plant. I got it at the Whitman College biology plant sale AGES ago. When I first got it, it was maybe three inches tall. I had learned as a teenager that a jade plant meant good fortune in a monetary sense. I thought maybe I could use a little extra help at the time. Of course I’m not superstitious, just a little stitious. That plant grew to be quite large and unwieldy. In fact, I had it in the kitchen window where I was hesitant to touch or turn it for fear of losing one of the stems. Ultimately, I did and had to prune it off.

Bryan got sick not long after. I always had this sinking feeling like maybe my futzing with the jade plant had some correlation to his illness. I know. I know. Illogical. Superstitious. That branch broke and our good fortune took a turn. That’s what it seemed like/felt like.

Last week, I woke one morning to one of the branches drooping. I nearly had a panic attack. Is this a sign of my ultimate demise? Silly rabbit. I got so mad at myself, I immediately looked up jade plant care. I had not taken the best possible care of this plant, turning it regularly, putting it in the best light, and routinely pruning so that it remained bushy and less leggy. I immediately got shears and pruned away. I was not going to continue victimizing myself with superstition. I’m going to learn better–how to care for this plant better and to maybe propagate more baby jade plants.

Subsequently, I’ve moved the pruned plant to a windowsill that also has a full-spectrum light above it. I’ve taken to rotating it regularly so the stems are forced to push themselves in various directions to get stronger. I put potting soil, stems, and leaves in small pots to begin new plants, putting enough in each one that if just one or two take, it’ll be a nice plant.

Later that same day, I looked up other meanings for jade besides “good fortune.” It is also a plant that represents resilience because it grows after being pruned and is easily propagated. It also signifies friendship when a plant is given as a wish for another’s good fortune. I hope I have the opportunity to share these plants with my dear friends. Bryan used to say “when there’s no way to tell for sure, go with the theory that makes you feel the best.” I’m betting on resilience and friendship every time!