I just got this Serissa bonsai and I just removed the layer of rock pebbles so I could check the soil to make sure it was moist after I had bottom dish watered it today because it had dropped some leaves this morning. I need some helpful advice in caring and watering my Serissa Bonzai. Thanks,Dalicea34 
opabinia51 wrote:Have you totally removed the glued rock mixture? If not, do that first.
I did totally removed the glued mixture gently.
Second, give the stickies at the top of the forum a read on watering.
As for my fussy little tree so far no more dropping leafs. I was wondering if I may need to get humidity tray along with a new pot since the pot that the serissa and ficus is not ceramic but plastic. Could both of those items probably be the factor that caused the leafs drop because I have watered the bonsais.MagicDan wrote:My Serissa has gone thru the same thing you are experiencing. They are a pretty fussy little tree to keep happy!
Check my earlier post for some pics and more advice.
https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3514&sid=433dfe8e7b2aaeacf131c242f66d3d0c
The pot is not at all a factor.Dalicea34 wrote:MagicDan wrote: As for my fussy little tree so far no more dropping leafs. I was wondering if I may need to get humidity tray along with a new pot since the pot that the serissa and ficus is not ceramic but plastic. Could both of those items probably be the factor that caused the leafs drop because I have watered the bonsais.
Ynot I will be getting the humidity tray possibly today How long do I leave the serissa and my ficus bonsai over the Humidity tray( definately not in contact with h. tray.?. The leafs that had dropped did not turn yellow. As for overwatering prevention I am checking the top of soil and also carefully using a toothpick and so far I know that I do not need to water. Maybe it really needs the humidity trayynot wrote:Dalicea34 wrote:The pot is not at all a factor.MagicDan wrote: As for my fussy little tree so far no more dropping leafs. I was wondering if I may need to get humidity tray along with a new pot since the pot that the serissa and ficus is not ceramic but plastic. Could both of those items probably be the factor that caused the leafs drop because I have watered the bonsais.
Your tree is most likely just stressed [Are the leaves turning yellow before they fall off? This could indicate overwatering. ]
Do get a humidity tray but do insure that the drainage holes of the pot are not in contact with the water.
Please do read the links in my previous post.
good luck
ynot
All the time, The purpose of the tray is to increase the ambient humidity in the immediate vicinity of the tree.Dalicea34 wrote: How long do I leave the serissa and my ficus bonsai over the Humidity tray
Not exactly.... What I said was insure that the drainage holes are not in contact w/ the water. Meaning there is an airspace between the water and the pot [The height of the feet] so that the pot will not 'wick up' water through the drainage holes.( definately not in contact with h. tray.?.)
First, You must check deeper than just the surface [In fact, Go two knuckles deep] over 90% of the volume of the soil is NOT at the soils surface.The leafs that had dropped did not turn yellow. As for overwatering prevention I am checking the top of soil and also carefully using a toothpick and so far I know that I do not need to water.
It needs an appropriate enviroment. Temp, Light [intensity & duration], Water [frequency & amount] , Humdity...etc etc... It's just that easyMaybe it really needs the humidity tray to help the Bonsai stay stable and flowering right.
.Thanks Ynot for the helpful info.[/quoteynot wrote:All the time, The purpose of the tray is to increase the ambient humidity in the immediate vicinity of the tree.Dalicea34 wrote: How long do I leave the serissa and my ficus bonsai over the Humidity trayNot exactly.... What I said was insure that the drainage holes are not in contact w/ the water. Meaning there is an airspace between the water and the pot [The height of the feet] so that the pot will not 'wick up' water through the drainage holes.( definately not in contact with h. tray.?.)
First, You must check deeper than just the surface [In fact, Go two knuckles deep] over 90% of the volume of the soil is NOT at the soils surface.The leafs that had dropped did not turn yellow. As for overwatering prevention I am checking the top of soil and also carefully using a toothpick and so far I know that I do not need to water.
Secondly, Even though I see it suggested all the time I do not suggest the toothpick method for these two reasons.
1. Once you have proper bonsai soil (See the sticky) it would not stick to a toothpick at all [or just barely....MAYBE] when it is soaking wet. Now according to that sysem it is time to water....NOT.
Anyone I know of with any experience who has ever suggested anything similar to this describes the process a bit differently:
A. Insert a chopstick {or wooden skewer} vertically into your soil all the way to the bottom of the pot located about halfway between the edge of the pot and the trunk.
B. Leave it there {If you find it unsightly you can cut it to a length 1/2" longer than needed so it is not so visible.}
C. To check to see if your tree needs water simply pull the chopstick out and take note of the color.
Due to the color change you can easily tell where the moisture line is in your soil as moist wood is darker than dry wood. When I replace the chopstick in the soil, I rotate it into a different position by either 45 or 90 degrees. {Still positioned halfway between the tree and pot edge.}
I feel that having the chopstick/skewer living embedded in the soil [in the same conditions as the tree] is a far more accurate and effective way of determining the soils moisture content, As opposed to a quick dip with a toothpick.
I often use this system for a while to get a feel for the new situation when I get a new tree or repot into a different container. Until I get a feel for the weight of the pot when wet/dry.
It is very effective and gives good insight into whats happening in the pot: moisture-wise.It needs an appropriate enviroment. Temp, Light [intensity & duration], Water [frequency & amount] , Humdity...etc etc... It's just that easyMaybe it really needs the humidity tray to help the Bonsai stay stable and flowering right.
Serrissa are pretty random as to when they flower...
Maybe I may be using the word repotting wrong when I am changing my bonsai from the plastic pot that only have holes on the bottom but no feet on the bottom of pots to raise the pots from the tray.?it came with to a ceramic bonsai pot because I purchased humidity trays for them to get better results. what I meant by bottom dishwatering was when you put alittle water in to the dish that is placed under the plant pots.ynot wrote:I may have missed it or it might not have been mentioned but why are you planning on repotting it at the moment?
If it is having difficulties... Now is not the best time to do that. [Unless it is a dire emergency.]
Repotting is a stresssfull event for a plant in and of itself.
Also I am still curious about what 'bottom-dish watering' is? [Asked in my first post on ths thread.] Can you describe the procedure?
ynot
Ok, That is still repotting [Changing the pot].Maybe I may be using the word repotting wrong when I am changing my bonsai from the plastic pot it came with to a ceramic bonsai pot because I purchased humidity trays for them to get better results.
Ok, I am curious...Is this how you were watering your tree?what I meant by bottom dishwatering was when you put alittle water in to the dish that is placed under the plant pots.
ynot wrote:Ok, That is still repotting [Changing the pot].Maybe I may be using the word repotting wrong when I am changing my bonsai from the plastic pot it came with to a ceramic bonsai pot because I purchased humidity trays for them to get better results.
Changing the pot is not going to make much difference.
The key aspect of repotting is changing the soil.
Chances are that your current soil does not resemble that which is described in the soil sticky. [or the links included] Some pictures would be helpfull for us to determine that.
Please review the soil sticky:
I finally changed to the ceramic bonsai pots with new bonsai soil,and placed them on top of humidity tray. I also placed pot in water for 10 minutes and the soil is nice and dark and moist. Was I suppose to remove pot from water and put on tray?
https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3422
Here are some tips on taking pictures:
https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3557
Ok, I am curious...Is this how you were watering your tree?what I meant by bottom dishwatering was when you put alittle water in to the dish that is placed under the plant pots.
I ask because this is not an effective method at all.
The humidity tray [beneath your tree] is not nearly large enough to hold the amount of water that will run through the drainage holes when a bonsai is properly watered.
The tray is simply there to allow the water to evaporate and provide some extra local humidity for the tree.
The bottom of your plastic pot is not sitting IN the water is it?
If so please elevate it out of the water as it will wick up water and the tree will stay far too wet.
ynot
Hey All,