Leaves turning yellow on Serissa.

schotzky

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Hows it goin every body? I bought a Serissa tree about 2.5 weeks ago, brought it home and re-potted it in a coarse bonsai soil and watered it thoroughly. For the next two days it rained and then it was cool weather after that and didn't give the soil a chance to dry out. The pot does have drainage holes. I haven't fertilized it yet because im giving it a chance to get acclimated to its new pot. It has also been getting a little chilly at night here in Kansas at night, im moving it inside tonight because it is supposed to freeze. My question is why are the leaves yellowing, im some what new to bonsai and this is my second one. Either the leaves are yellowing from no fertilizer (which i doubt), stress from being transplanted, the cold weather (not sure if serissa drop their leaves when it gets cold), or too much water from the rain (this is what im leaning towards). Let me know what you guys think.
P.S. The leaves are only turning yellow on the top leaves.
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Brian Van Fleet

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Serissas can be fussy about bring moved, repotted, looked at funny, etc.

Its probably a combination of it being moved to a new location, being repotted, and cold nights. While they can tolerate a lot of water, it is good to let them get a bit dry between waterings after repotting and during this time of year. Serissa trunks wick moisture quite visibly, look at it about an hour after you water and the trunk will be dark, which recedes down the trunk as the soil dries.

Next, don't let if freeze. At this time of year in KS, it's probably best to find a bright location inside and keep it there until next spring.

Finally, while they do tend to throw a fit in new environments or after work, they are tough and will bounce back.

Don't worry, and have fun...and welcome.
 

schotzky

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Serissas can be fussy about bring moved, repotted, looked at funny, etc.

Its probably a combination of it being moved to a new location, being repotted, and cold nights. While they can tolerate a lot of water, it is good to let them get a bit dry between waterings after repotting and during this time of year. Serissa trunks wick moisture quite visibly, look at it about an hour after you water and the trunk will be dark, which recedes down the trunk as the soil dries.

Next, don't let if freeze. At this time of year in KS, it's probably best to find a bright location inside and keep it there until next spring.

Finally, while they do tend to throw a fit in new environments or after work, they are tough and will bounce back.

Don't worry, and have fun...and welcome.

I have read that they can be quite fussy but tough at the same time. I figured it was all the moving, excess water and colder weather. Thanks for the reassurance. Thanks man.
 

JudyB

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It may even loose all it's leaves so be prepared for that. Just give it time, and the right conditions, and it'll grow a new set. Watch for pests inside, they really find serrissa tasty!
 

sean f

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i have one i just brought inside and it lost half its leaves,the same thing happened in the summer when i turned the pot around 180 degrees,pretty tuff trees though, went through a really hard frost early spring lost all its leaves,still healthy
 

BonsaiPrelude

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Guaranteed too much water. They are very finicky as others have mentioned. If you over water them even a little the leaves will yellow and drop. Its funny but because of their size, inexpensiveness, and flowers they are a lot of people's first bonsai. This is unfortunate because everyone ends up killing them. I've killed several. Cut back on the water and let it dry out, it is 1,000 times easier to over water a bonsai than it is to underwater them.
 

Brian Van Fleet

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Guaranteed too much water. They are very finicky as others have mentioned. If you over water them even a little the leaves will yellow and drop. Its funny but because of their size, inexpensiveness, and flowers they are a lot of people's first bonsai. This is unfortunate because everyone ends up killing them. I've killed several. Cut back on the water and let it dry out, it is 1,000 times easier to over water a bonsai than it is to underwater them.

They're a wetland plant. I've never seen a serissa killed by overwatering, and I tried to kill plenty when I was new. Inconsistent watering, yes, but inconsistent anything is hard on trees, and serissa definitely doesn't play coy.
 

mat

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I treat my Serissa as plants that need more than average water, both with their soil mix and their watering. They seem to like that. Of course, you can still over-water them just like any plant.
 

Bill S

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Root work is your answer, they don't really like much of it, and this time of year isn't helping much.

The big combination of insults are working against it , so let i rest.
Bright and warm til next fall, then we can talk let it get frosted several times.

Let your soil dry down before watering, but don't let it dry out, they die quick when dry.
 
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