New Serissa, Not Sure What to Do?

[angesradieux]

Hello! Over the weekend, I was at a craft show with a friend. She saw me admiring this little tree and decided to buy it for me as a graduation present. But I've never kept a bonsai before, so I'm really not sure what to do with it. So far, after poking around the Internet a bit, I'm pretty sure it's a serissa, but I don't really know much else. I've read that they can be finicky about watering, so I'm trying not to overwater it. I'd really like to not kill it, especially since it was a gift. Any advice on what to do with this plant?

 

[M. Frary]

Pretty foggy in there. Or smokey.

 

[angesradieux]

My phone has a pretty bad camera on it. It's not really foggy or smoky, the camera just refused to focus. ^^;

 

[M. Frary]

Welcome to the crazy house.
I was trying to rub my eyes because of the blur and then got to thinking I might be having a stroke.
Thank God its just the pictures.
Sorry but I don't know a thing about serissa except how to slowly kill one. Had one. I liked it but the thing hated me.

 

[Alain]

I've read that they can be finicky about watering

Wrong.
They are finicky about everything, not just watering

So first of all you should up-date the location in your profile, we need to know where your tree lives.
Then: I would remove the big pebbles on top of the soil.
Then again: if it is actually a serissa (hard to see on the picture but it kinda look like that) it will certainly prefer 1) to be outside (unless it's freezing buts winter right now where you are) and 2) some sun, may be not full sun, everyone say they like full sun, mine not too much, mine likes sun in the morning but doesn't like actual full sun all day.

after that, once again if it's indeed a serissa, don't worry too much it will let you know when it doesn't like something (I mean it will let you know like in the next hours)

 

[Vin]

It probably is Serissa but it's hard to tell in the photos. What you have looks to be a cutting. It's going to require several years of unrestricted growth before anything bonsai wise can really be done with it. You didn't put you location in your profile so all I can say at this point is they don't like cold weather. It needs to be outside in full sun if you want it to thrive. Watering will depend on the soil and it looks like garden soil with rocks on top. It's a mess to be honest.

 

[angesradieux]

I'm in New Jersey. On the map, it looks like I'm in Zone 7a. I moved it outside, not sure what kind of soil it's in--I left it in what it was planted in when it was given to me.

 

[M. Frary]

It's a mess to be honest.

The truth will set you free.
Unless a lie serves better in its place.

 

[Vin]

Alain is right. When I say full sun I mean not in the shade all day.

 

[Vin]

The truth will set you free.
Unless a lie serves better in its place.

Amen Brother, Amen! Can I get a witness?

 

[angesradieux]

I picked the pebbles out of the soil. I tried to attach some pictures that came out a little clearer.

 

[GrimLore]

I'm in New Jersey. On the map, it looks like I'm in Zone 7a. I moved it outside, not sure what kind of soil it's in--I left it in what it was planted in when it was given to me.

If it is a Serissa and you are in 7A it will/could be an interesting start. Myself I would find a 1 gallon pot and slip pot it into a Nursery or high quality potting mix. In 2 short years it will beef up a LOT and give you something to really have fun and work with.
It will do OK in that little pot but will do great in what I described. In our area they like filtered or late afternoon sun. Daily watering and sometimes twice during that 2 week heat hell period we all seem to get in the North East.
Something solid I found with them is to let them be exposed to a few nights of 35-40F weather before taking them inside for the Winter. They will drop leaf and require less water for a few weeks but will perk up inside until Spring arrives and they go back outside.
Cool plants to have but a little fussy in these parts but on the bright side people far more North in Canada can and do grow them.

Grimmy

 

[eferguson1974]

Right now you need to learn about bonsai soil, watering, and why freedraining is most important. The stuff your tree is in will most likely stay soggy and rot the roots. I dont know if it can be repotted now, but it needs it asap! Learning about watering it correctly is the first thing you need to know and do. And what your soil is made of has everything to do with how its watered. It would be better in oil dry, Napa pn8822, or other mostly inorganic mix with fairly large particles of consistant size. It needs to be sifted to remove the finer stuff that would hold too much moisture. If your going to be serious about it, those are the things you should learn right now. Good soil and watering correctly. Everyone should start there! Plenty of good threads explain it well right here on the nut. And welcome to the nut, wear thick skin and enjoy your new addiction!

 

[angesradieux]

I stopped and picked up a new pot and some soil on the way to work. Miracle-gro potting soil was the best I could find. I will try slip potting it when I get home and see how it does in a larger pot and different soil. Thanks for all the advice so far!

 

[Vin]

I stopped and picked up a new pot and some soil on the way to work. Miracle-gro potting soil was the best I could find. I will try slip potting it when I get home and see how it does in a larger pot and different soil. Thanks for all the advice so far!

Please don't put it in Miracle-gro without adding something to help with aeration.

 

[angesradieux]

Could you recommend something to add that might help?

 

[Vin]

(whispering ) Don't tell anyone here I said this but turface or chicken grit mixed 50 - 50 with the garden soil will work in a pinch. Turface is usually available at irrigation supply stores (or at least they should know where you can get some locally). If you can't get either of them two even pea gravel will help. Pure garden soil is fine for the garden but in a pot it's just a ball of muck.

EDIT: I forgot about Perlite. You can get it at Lowe's and Home Depot. Again, mix 50 - 50 with your garden soil.

 

[angesradieux]

Thanks for the advice! I had some pea gravel that I was able to use. It's now in a larger pot that will hopefully make it a little happier.

 

[sorce]

Welcome to Crazy!

If you figure this one out....
You can find one a bit further along for a decent price....

Hell, if you DoN'T figure this one out...
You can find one a bit further along for a decent price....in better soil from the get go.

Go get it!

Sorce

 

[Mellow Mullet]

It is a serissa and a variegated variety. The leaves look like it is getting or has gotten too much water in the past. Only water when the soil gets almost dry. I have a couple of the variegated ones and find that of serissa, they are among the vigorous growers.

John