New member new to Bonsai

[Darran]

So we are a month on and the leave dropping is continuing but seems to be less in numbers now, I have the lights on for 16hrs a day, and have increased watering based on the fact that it appeared to dry out very quickly. I read about using bamboo sticks in the soil to gauge when it is drying out is gave it a go, found the soil drying out very quickly.

 

[Darran]

I put my poor Serrisa out in the sunshine today, temps here still to low to leave it out, i don’t hold out much hope for her.

 

[Carol 83]

I put my poor Serrisa out in the sunshine today, temps here still to low to leave it out, i don’t hold out much hope for her.

It still has some leaves that look fine. Don't give up on it yet!

 

[Indoor Trees]

Whenever you move a Serrisa to a new location expect to suffer leaf drop. Water at 2 or 3 day intervals checking the soil till you learnhow long it takes to dry out.

 

[TinyArt]

Hello Darran, this is the first time I've seen your thread, so I read it kind of holding my breath!

I am new to bonsai also, and bought three tiny serissa plants -- but with my Central Florida (we call 4 hours of below-freezing temperatures a "hard freeze") Zone 9, the biggest threat to my babies is likely to be me.

I know you'll likely choose climate-compatible species in the future, but it's good to have some vibrant life inside the house over the winter -- so you might find this book helpful in choosing indoor/outdoor guys:

Growing Bonsai Indoors
edited by Pat Lucke Morris and Sigrun Wolff Saphire
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
2008, 2013
ISBN 978-1-889538-85-3

(Hope the wise elders agree!)

Best wishes -- Amy

 

[HorseloverFat]

Hello Darran, this is the first time I've seen your thread, so I read it kind of holding my breath!

I am new to bonsai also, and bought three tiny serissa plants -- but with my Central Florida (we call 4 hours of below-freezing temperatures a "hard freeze") Zone 9, the biggest threat to my babies is likely to be me.

I know you'll likely choose climate-compatible species in the future, but it's good to have some vibrant life inside the house over the winter -- so you might find this book helpful in choosing indoor/outdoor guys:

Growing Bonsai Indoors
edited by Pat Lucke Morris and Sigrun Wolff Saphire
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
2008, 2013
ISBN 978-1-889538-85-3

(Hope the wise elders agree!)

Best wishes -- Amy

Excellent book!

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Stop moving the plant around... its like trying to make a card tower on a boat in choppy waters.

Once temps are stable enough to put it outside in full sun, do so.

Your watering seems ok. So keep with that...

I find growing these African natives very difficult... i dont have many and those I do have never do welll until they are outside in the late spring, summer.

 

[HorseloverFat]

Stop moving the plant around... its like trying to make a card tower on a boat in choppy waters.

Once temps are stable enough to put it outside in full sun, do so.

Your watering seems ok. So keep with that...

I find growing these African natives very difficult... i dont have many and those I do have never do welll until they are outside in the late spring, summer.

Serissas are the MOST susceptible to this “moving stress” of any plant I’ve owned.... each leaf likes to be “set” in it’s photo-position.. I used to explain it in extreme depth, which looking back on it, probably frustrated and confused newer-to-bonsai folks... I REALLY like your “Card Tower on a boat with Mark Walberg” analogy.... easily relatable from theory to practice... I shall steal it. (The analogy)

 

[Indoor Trees]

Stop moving the plant around... its like trying to make a card tower on a boat in choppy waters.

Once temps are stable enough to put it outside in full sun, do so.

Your watering seems ok. So keep with that...

I find growing these African natives very difficult... i dont have many and those I do have never do welll until they are outside in the late spring, summer.

Serissa is native to sub-tropical woodlands, streambanks and wet meadows in southeast Asia, not Africa.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Never knew. Thought it was African. Good info.

 

[Indoor Trees]

I lost a couple, being super careful now and have two varieties alive and well. For now!

 

[TinyArt]

There’s encouragement in among the older posts on BNut — someone I respect referred to MellowMullet as a “Serissa Whisperer,” so I searched “serissa” and his name — granted, he lives in a great place, it’s still really encouraging reading & pictures. Well worth a look!

 

[Darran]

Stop moving the plant around... its like trying to make a card tower on a boat in choppy waters.

Once temps are stable enough to put it outside in full sun, do so.

Your watering seems ok. So keep with that...

I find growing these African natives very difficult... i dont have many and those I do have never do welll until they are outside in the late spring, summer.

To be fair I only moved it once, since it was brought for me 4 months ago, but it’s been steadily dropping leaves since it’s arrival, I am not sure me putting it outside for a day 4 months into the issues it has is the cause here.

 

[TinyArt]

First and foremost, the tree has been in your care for 4 months, and it is still alive. And you are already doing your best to understand its needs. I’m betting on that tree to be alive and very well in another 4 months, now that you can give it sunshine — even if you do have to move it in & out for a bit longer.

I have only tiny serissa plants, and tiny experience — I ordered them online, and then wondered what I’d let myself in for — but they’ve tolerated shipping (from Ohio to Florida), and being brought inside the house as we had a late “cold snap,” out for sun, and then into the unheated utility room overnight, and they haven’t seemed to care as long as they get some sun. Currently, I give them morning sun on the east side of the house, and afternoon sun on the west. And I’ve gotten bold enough (given that Florida sun) to give each a fair slosh of water in the morning (provided I’ve felt dry soil most of the way down) and check again in the evening. So far, so good, although I’ll be vigilant as the daily temperatures rise.

Read MellowMullet. You’ll be able to relax a bit — and you’ll have someone to call on. I expect to hit him up with questions myself.

Best wishes for continued success!
— Amy

 

[Darran]

First and foremost, the tree has been in your care for 4 months, and it is still alive. And you are already doing your best to understand its needs. I’m betting on that tree to be alive and very well in another 4 months, now that you can give it sunshine — even if you do have to move it in & out for a bit longer.

I have only tiny serissa plants, and tiny experience — I ordered them online, and then wondered what I’d let myself in for — but they’ve tolerated shipping (from Ohio to Florida), and being brought inside the house as we had a late “cold snap,” out for sun, and then into the unheated utility room overnight, and they haven’t seemed to care as long as they get some sun. Currently, I give them morning sun on the east side of the house, and afternoon sun on the west. And I’ve gotten bold enough (given that Florida sun) to give each a fair slosh of water in the morning (provided I’ve felt dry soil most of the way down) and check again in the evening. So far, so good, although I’ll be vigilant as the daily temperatures rise.

Read MellowMullet. You’ll be able to relax a bit — and you’ll have someone to call on. I expect to hit him up with questions myself.

Best wishes for continued success!
— Amy

I am catching up on the threads Mellow Mullet has on here.

 

[Darran]

Found this which is interesting, and kind of contradictory to a lot I have read.

Serissa Bonsai (Snow Rose) Care Guide - Expert Tips

The Serissa Bonsai (snow rose) is a unique and delicate tree valued for its fine ramification, rough grey bark, and lovely flowers. It requires careful care and attention to thrive. I’ll cover everything you need to know to keep your Serissa Bonsai healthy and vibrant. Appearance of Serissa...

www.bonsaimary.com

 

[TinyArt]

Found this which is interesting, and kind of contradictory to a lot I have read.

Serissa Bonsai (Snow Rose) Care Guide - Expert Tips

The Serissa Bonsai (snow rose) is a unique and delicate tree valued for its fine ramification, rough grey bark, and lovely flowers. It requires careful care and attention to thrive. I’ll cover everything you need to know to keep your Serissa Bonsai healthy and vibrant. Appearance of Serissa...

www.bonsaimary.com

Especially interesting to me, as they are only two hours’ drive north of me.

Thanks for sharing it!

 

[Darran]

This is my poor tree currently, leaves still dropping I fear the worst

 

[TinyArt]

@MellowMullet, @GrimLore

I haven’t introduced myself before, but I’ve appreciated your wisdom — I hope you’re on to see this, and can help Darran —

Thank you, Amy

 

[Carol 83]

@GrimLore

Unfortunately, he won't be responding unless heaven has wi-fi. He passed away a few years ago. I still miss him.