Dwarf varigated pink Mountain Serissa
- Thread starter Carol 83
- Start date
Leo in N E Illinois
The Professor
- Messages
- 11,427
- Reaction score
- 23,607
- USDA Zone
- 5b
Hi Carol, you do so well with your other sub-tropicals, the Serissa should grow well for you. Part shade, your bay window should be fine. They do not like to dry out hard, they also don't want to be waterlogged. Generally pretty easy. They come from Taiwan and southern China, in the regions where winters are mild enough that citrus are grown. So they should tolerate temps well. Hot steamy summers and cool to cold, but mostly above freezing winters. They can tolerate frost, supossedly hardy thru zone 8 and in the ground maybe into warmer parts of zone 7.
For most people Serissa are easy, the are a few who can't keep them going, it does not matter their skill level. But seeing how your other trees and houseplants are doing you should have no trouble.
Your tree is quite young, basically in standard ''mallsai'' style. If it were mine I'd let it grow out and get bushy for a couple years, let it loose its shape. Maybe even move it to a larger nursery pot for a few years, Then prune it back hard to create something unique. Or if you like it as is, just keep it pruned to its current shape. I'm a fan of letting it grow out, then chop back hard. Mine at home I let branches grow out at least 6 inches to a foot or more, Then I chop it back to the first node, often less than an inch. You get good back budding, and a nice zig-zag pattern to the branches. Growing out will allow you to enjoy the flowers.
Branches are brittle, most people avoid using wire to shape them, Wire is okay on older branches, but be cautious with bending. Often used in ''clip and grow'' styles, both bonsai and penjing. And branches you prune off can easily be used to root cuttings. They are easy to propagate by cuttings.
have fun with it.
For most people Serissa are easy, the are a few who can't keep them going, it does not matter their skill level. But seeing how your other trees and houseplants are doing you should have no trouble.
Your tree is quite young, basically in standard ''mallsai'' style. If it were mine I'd let it grow out and get bushy for a couple years, let it loose its shape. Maybe even move it to a larger nursery pot for a few years, Then prune it back hard to create something unique. Or if you like it as is, just keep it pruned to its current shape. I'm a fan of letting it grow out, then chop back hard. Mine at home I let branches grow out at least 6 inches to a foot or more, Then I chop it back to the first node, often less than an inch. You get good back budding, and a nice zig-zag pattern to the branches. Growing out will allow you to enjoy the flowers.
Branches are brittle, most people avoid using wire to shape them, Wire is okay on older branches, but be cautious with bending. Often used in ''clip and grow'' styles, both bonsai and penjing. And branches you prune off can easily be used to root cuttings. They are easy to propagate by cuttings.
have fun with it.
Leo in N E Illinois
The Professor
- Messages
- 11,427
- Reaction score
- 23,607
- USDA Zone
- 5b
Most people, including me, winter Serissa indoors as a houseplant, and put them outside for the summer. I know your window set up, just keep your Serissa in your window indoors all summer, it should be fine. You have no ''need'' to put it out in summer. You get enough of a seasonal change in your window it should be happy.
Actually, it has been outside since I received it, in dappled sunlight. Been watching the watering carefully, since it is so small. There has been some new growth and no substantial leave drop, so I guest it's doing OK? As always, thanks for the knowledge and advice. I'll try to keep it alive and happy!
Anthony
Imperial Masterpiece
Might need thinning out and as usual, please take cuttings.
Good Day
Anthony
Good Day
Anthony
It is very compact and round ball looking. I think I'll let it go and try and keep it alive through the winter, and address thinning in the spring. Thanks Anthony!
Leo in N E Illinois
The Professor
- Messages
- 11,427
- Reaction score
- 23,607
- USDA Zone
- 5b
hi Carol, glad you got the ''courage'' up to try summering a few plants outdoors. When you see how well some do with a full 4 or 5 month summer outdoors you will probably do it with most of your sub-tropical trees. You're getting the idea. soon you will be hooked on it. But as I said before, your window set up was good, so it is okay to stick within your comfort zone. True tropicals can only go out late and must come in early, those might be best full time in the window.
happy bonsai growing
happy bonsai growing
I'm getting braver!
Everything I got this spring/summer is outside. The little azalea I got just because you know I like flowers, actually has buds on it. I thought they only bloomed in the spring, but we'll see! Thanks!
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
You should have fun with that...I know my Serissa surprised me with not being as finicky as I imagined. I think for a newbie...if one might stress at a few minor leaf drop seeing the leaf turn brown and altering their watering. Then they compound an issue. I use ironite if the leaves lose there green shade.
Thanks Darlene! So far so good. Was worried about putting everything outside, after losing my braided Oleander to scale (my daughter's last Mother's Day gift to me) But I've been watching for any kind of infestation, and have an insecticide to combat if necessary. Lost maybe a couple leaves, but nothing much. Still very green and showing growth.
