Dalicea34 wrote:
How long do I leave the serissa and my ficus bonsai over the Humidity tray
All the time, The purpose of the tray is to increase the ambient humidity in the immediate vicinity of the tree.
( definately not in contact with h. 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.
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.
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.
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.
Maybe it really needs the humidity tray to help the Bonsai stay stable and flowering right.
It needs an appropriate enviroment. Temp, Light [intensity & duration], Water [frequency & amount] , Humdity...etc etc... It's just that easy
.
Serrissa are pretty random as to when they flower...
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Thanks Ynot for the helpful info.[/quote
Your very welcome
ynot