Hello,
I am an utter newbe to keeping a bonzai but I have successfully maintained my 18 year old Serissa for 2 years and even managed to see it flower but this winter something has changed with it and it's started to lose nearly all of its leaves.
I am cautious not to over/underwater it but now the remaining leaves have started to go shrivelled and black and I am afraid it might die altogether. I perhaps don't mist it as much as I should.
Can anyone give me any advice?
Thanks
Shcotty
- Gnome
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 5122
- Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:17 am
- Location: Western PA USDA Zone 6A
Shcotty,
Sorry, this is not one of my species so I cant give any first hand experience. Here is a link that might help.
[url]https://www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Serissa.html[/url]
Has anything changed recently? Have you ever re-potted it yet? Does the soil have good structure or is it dense and peaty? Just a few things to think about. Also use the search feature above to review previous threads.
Norm
Sorry, this is not one of my species so I cant give any first hand experience. Here is a link that might help.
[url]https://www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Serissa.html[/url]
Has anything changed recently? Have you ever re-potted it yet? Does the soil have good structure or is it dense and peaty? Just a few things to think about. Also use the search feature above to review previous threads.
Norm
Hi Norm,
Nothing major has happened to the plant although I did move it from our bathroom to its original place on our dining table as I felt that although the bathroom probably got more natural sunlight and was warmer, whenever the shower's used cold air comes in threough the open window and I know Serissa's don't like that.
The soils in pretty good nick as far as I can tell. It's the original soil that was in the pot when I was given it and I have had the plant for almost 2 years.
Do you know of anywhere that sells bonsai plant food though because nowhere locally does and I wasn't sure whether to trust the stuff on sale at Homebase etc.
I am using the chopstick method to test the soil's water content and it's pretty consistent but the remaining green leaves seem to be shrivelling at the tip.
I shall take a look at the link you posted though and I am already aware that Serissa's are notoriously hard to keep.
Fingers crossed.
Shcotty
Nothing major has happened to the plant although I did move it from our bathroom to its original place on our dining table as I felt that although the bathroom probably got more natural sunlight and was warmer, whenever the shower's used cold air comes in threough the open window and I know Serissa's don't like that.
The soils in pretty good nick as far as I can tell. It's the original soil that was in the pot when I was given it and I have had the plant for almost 2 years.
Do you know of anywhere that sells bonsai plant food though because nowhere locally does and I wasn't sure whether to trust the stuff on sale at Homebase etc.
I am using the chopstick method to test the soil's water content and it's pretty consistent but the remaining green leaves seem to be shrivelling at the tip.
I shall take a look at the link you posted though and I am already aware that Serissa's are notoriously hard to keep.
Fingers crossed.
Shcotty
- Gnome
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 5122
- Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:17 am
- Location: Western PA USDA Zone 6A
Shcoty,
Norm
Being in the middle of your dining room, away from any window, would seem to be a rather dim location.Nothing major has happened to the plant although I did move it from our bathroom to its original place on our dining table
You don't need a specialized bonsai fertilizer. I simply use a balanced (10-10-10 or 20-20-20) water soluble product mixed according to directions. I fertilize about every week to 10 days during the summer, reducing this for things that are brought indoors.Do you know of anywhere that sells bonsai plant food though because nowhere locally does and I wasn't sure whether to trust the stuff on sale at Homebase etc.
Norm