Serissa Bonsai

Paul F.

Paul F.

Shohin
Messages
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Location
Florida Keys
USDA Zone
11b
I bought a Serissa Bonsai (along with 2 scheffleras that are awesome, and one bougainvillea) at our local Seafood Festival and of course it was in some horrible potting soil but looked really good. When I got it home I re-potted it with bonsai soil (my mix of flourite, turface, perlite and pine fines. I put it in bright shade for a few days and it looked good. This morning it was real droopy and some leaves are turning black and yellow. It doesn't look good. I have no experience with Serissa but I've done a lot of reading about its kind and everyone says they can be temperamental. I was going to gradually introduce to full sun over the next week after re-potting but I'm not sure if that's actually the problem. Maybe its been in the shade too long? I've only watered it once in 2 days but I just watered it now before taking these pictures. Anyone have an experience with this type of tree and re-potting that can give me some advice? This really is my favorite (of course it is). I've always wanted one. I really want it to survive.

Thanks in advance!
Paul F.
(Florida Keys 11b)
 

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and BTW, the last two pictures are of the trees when I bought them. They were in regular potting soil. I re-potted all of them in bonsai soil except the bougainvillea. Ill take care of that this weekend.
 
You need to post your location in your profile. For us northern folk...root work isn't done in Ohio for tropicals until mid July when night temps stay more consistent. If your in a more colder winter climate...I would hold off reporting that bougie. If your from a warm southern climate...well then a different story,

Just noticed you posted your location below photos...south. So potting season is a go. Profile makes it so it's easier for ones to offer advice, welcome to crazy!
~Enjoy your journey.
 
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Those leaves look huge! I'm not familiar with that variety of serissa but I repotted my Kyoto 2 weeks ago and it seems to be just fine. I bare rooted it and used a heavy organic soil mix. It's still in full shade and I'm keeping it fairly wet for the time being. I wish I could help with yours.

My leaves are a bit smaller ;)

DSCF3296.JPG
 
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Vin said:
Those leaves look huge! I'm not familiar with that variety of serissa but I repotted my Kyoto 2 weeks ago and it seems to be just fine. I bare rooted it and used a heavy organic soil mix. It's still in full shade and I'm keeping it fairly wet for the time being. I wish I could help with yours.
Click to expand...
Not trying to hijack your thread @Paul F. ! But would you have any pictures of yours? Always been a big fan of Serissa, but have killed a few. John sent me one from his garden last summer, and it is growing like a weed, so have gained some confidence with them.
 
Carol 83 said:
Not trying to hijack your thread @Paul F. ! But would you have any pictures of yours? Always been a big fan of Serissa, but have killed a few. John sent me one from his garden last summer, and it is growing like a weed, so have gained some confidence with them.
Click to expand...

I changed the pot this year and I don't have a picture of it yet. This one is from a couple years ago. Like you said, not wanting to hijack this thread so when I get some photos I'll start a new one. However, @Paul F. may enjoy these.


DSCF1122.JPG

IMG_0942.JPG
 
Vin said:
I changed the pot this year and I don't have a picture of it yet. This one is from a couple years ago. Like you said, not wanting to hijack this thread so when I get some photos I'll start a new one. However, @Paul F. may enjoy these.


View attachment 181863

View attachment 181864
Click to expand...

Nice job, Vin, that is one of the fattest trunks I have ever seen on a Kyoto.
 
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Paul F. said:
I bought a Serissa Bonsai (along with 2 scheffleras that are awesome, and one bougainvillea) at our local Seafood Festival and of course it was in some horrible potting soil but looked really good. When I got it home I re-potted it with bonsai soil (my mix of flourite, turface, perlite and pine fines. I put it in bright shade for a few days and it looked good. This morning it was real droopy and some leaves are turning black and yellow. It doesn't look good. I have no experience with Serissa but I've done a lot of reading about its kind and everyone says they can be temperamental. I was going to gradually introduce to full sun over the next week after re-potting but I'm not sure if that's actually the problem. Maybe its been in the shade too long? I've only watered it once in 2 days but I just watered it now before taking these pictures. Anyone have an experience with this type of tree and re-potting that can give me some advice? This really is my favorite (of course it is). I've always wanted one. I really want it to survive.

Thanks in advance!
Paul F.
(Florida Keys 11b)
Click to expand...

Paul, your tree appears to be the Chinese variety, it has larger leaves than the rest. How much of the root mass did you remove? I have had them droop sometimes after reporting, especially if I leave the long spring growth, but I usually prune mine back before a repot. They occasionally loose a few leaves too. I think you will be ok, but I would not put it in full sun until it gets over the wilting.

John
 
Mellow Mullet said:
Paul, your tree appears to be the Chinese variety, it has larger leaves than the rest. How much of the root mass did you remove? I have had them droop sometimes after reporting, especially if I leave the long spring growth, but I usually prune mine back before a repot. They occasionally loose a few leaves too. I think you will be ok, but I would not put it in full sun until it gets over the wilting.

John
Click to expand...

Thanks for replying! The root ball was really small so I didn't trim or remove any roots. I just cleaned them up, got all the soil out of them - re-potted in bonsai mix. I was afraid to prune anything. I was going to wait until way after it had settled. I was almost anticipating it having problems after the re-pot. Ill definitely heed your advice and leave it in the shade for now. Hopefully it will survive. What are your suggestions on watering it? Should I water it everyday? Thanks so much for your help...
 
Paul F. said:
Thanks for replying! The root ball was really small so I didn't trim or remove any roots. I just cleaned them up, got all the soil out of them - re-potted in bonsai mix. I was afraid to prune anything. I was going to wait until way after it had settled. I was almost anticipating it having problems after the re-pot. Ill definitely heed your advice and leave it in the shade for now. Hopefully it will survive. What are your suggestions on watering it? Should I water it everyday? Thanks so much for your help...
Click to expand...
Your soil mix looks very open. You may want to put a layer of sphagnum moss on the top until it rebounds.
 
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