Serissa

[KJbonsai]

Ok so I just got the tree off of ebay for my mother as a birthday gift. I don't know if I'm happy with it. I don't like how both the main trunk and the branch angle in the same direction. but unfortunately the branch helps form the complete canopy. and I'm new to serissa's and I wanted advice on what I should do to it or just leave it alone and call it a day. one thing I noticed is how stiff these things are. they seem really hard to wire!!!



BTW. that isn't nasty trash in the bag its the box and shipping peanuts so they don't scatter all over the place

 

[Cadillactaste]

Here is an old post when I was considering getting one myself. There is some helpful advice as well as links attached with information.

http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?12781-Pink-Serissa

 

[GrimLore]

Serissa is very popular in Japan as Bonsai and they are a little finicky like ficus. Over water, under water, to hot or cold, move them a few feet, and they drop leaves(or at least it is not uncommon). I have it on my "to get" list this year because although they are popular in Japan I do not see them "worked" here often. Myself upon receipt I will just spend a season figuring out how to care for it and observe and note when braches harden, buds swell, and such before I attempt any work on it.

Grimmy

 

[Poink88]

My very first "bonsai" is a Serissa.

About 35 years ago (around 1979), my brother brought me to an orchid show in the Philippines. I loved the bonsai (more than the orchids) so I bought a serissa in a 4" nursery pot. Bought a (est.) 5" x 4" x 2" bonsai pot and planted it (using regular soil--oh no!!! ) ...complete with moss too! Not knowing anything about bonsai, it stayed there for more than 10 years w/o any repot or wiring. It got watered regularly and maybe trimmed twice a year but that is it. To the day I left the Philippines (in 1990), it stayed almost the same size..about 5" tall with 3/8" trunk--the canopy is just fuller.

I don't know if it is still alive today. It would be great if it is.

 

[jk_lewis]

Uh . . . it is absolutely none of my business, so answer or not as you like, but has your mother told you she WANTS a bonsai?

If she has, fine (tho I might have chosen a less problematic species for her). But if she's never evinced an interest in having or working on a little tree of her own, you may have sent her on a long, miserable guilt trip as she struggles to keep a little tree alive.

I know of several relationships that have been ruined because of bonsai (especially mallsai, like this one) given as unsolicited gifts.

The mother-child relationship may be a bit stronger than the boy-girl thing, but if the tree declines and dies (as is quite likely with a Serissa) she is bound to worry that it was something she did to YOUR very thoughtful gift and that your feelings will be hurt because you think she neglected it -- and the tree died.

I always suggest that one should ask before give anyone a tree -- especially if it will be the first and only tree that person has.

 

[edprocoat]

Well, at least it wil be a fragrant gift ...

ed

 

[rps]

Well, at least it wil be a fragrant gift ...

ed

oh, sweet foetida

 

[Mellow Mullet]

It is best to wire the branches before they harden off, once they do even if you do wire them, they will snap back to their original shape and position as soon as the wire is taken off. I have some that I have left the wire on for up to two years, no luck.

John

 

[Cadillactaste]

If you haven't given this as a gift as of yet, maybe choose an easier variety for mom. Or...explain to her...that many toss these out when they are still alive. To still tend it...just less water when a plant has no foliage. Give it a chance to bounce back. I think most people assume it dead while it is only stressed.

I have a bottlebrush coming out if being stressed...just water it less when it has less foliage. But treat it the same...with care. Presuming it not dead...even when it looks it's worst. And it may surprise you and bounce back. Which is a good feeling. Seeing new growth pays off on giving it a chance.

*Someone correct me if I I am wrong...one should not fertilize a stressed tree*

Now you may not have any issues...just realize it's known for being finicky...going in knowing that can be beneficial. Helps one understand not to stress as much...if they know to expect it.

 

[KJbonsai]

ahahahahahah!

jkl,
That was hilarious thanks for the laugh!!!!! I busted out laughing and K asked me what I was laughing about, and I told her she laughed as well. Yeah my mom wants one. She hinted towards me when I got bitten by the bonsai bug. She said "I've always liked the serissa's and you should buy me one and come over and take care of it for me, it'll give you an excuse to come visit me more often" lol I love my mom. so its up to me to make sure it doesn't die... oh boy... but in all seriousness she loves plants and has a lot of plants and fruiting trees in pots(not bonsai). She's more into things from Logees.

Poink88,
That's amazing!! I can only imagine if I ever sell any of my bonsai's(won't happen) if they will ever make it generations. Do you think the person who started that almost 400 year old JWP at the national arboretum could have possibly thought that his tree would make it that long? I love going there and it's and INCREDIBLE tree!!!

 

[KJbonsai]

Mellow Mullet,
Wow that's crazy!! 2 years! I don't see anything that needs wiring I was just thinking of wiring the branch that follows the main trunk.

Cadillactaste,
Thanks for the heads up. it seems to be doing fine now I know that could all change given its new environment but it seems happy now. I'll let my mom know that she knows how to pick them... why couldn't she want a juniper.....

But what do you all think of that branch following the trunk? does it bother anyone else? I'm almost wondering if I should re-position the tree to make the angle not seem so bad?

 

[Cadillactaste]

Mellow Mullet,
Wow that's crazy!! 2 years! I don't see anything that needs wiring I was just thinking of wiring the branch that follows the main trunk.

Cadillactaste,
Thanks for the heads up. it seems to be doing fine now I know that could all change given its new environment but it seems happy now. I'll let my mom know that she knows how to pick them... why couldn't she want a juniper.....

But what do you all think of that branch following the trunk? does it bother anyone else? I'm almost wondering if I should re-position the tree to make the angle not seem so bad?

I wouldn't worry about the tree, if it seems fine it maybe that you have what it takes to make this one thrive!

Re-position the tree...as in how it's potted? If your considering that...wedge something under the pot at an angle to see different results. If you find one you like...maybe repot it in the future. But since this just arrived to you...I might hold off on the repotting. Since they are known to stress...but that is just me. I am a bit over cautious.

 

[KJbonsai]

yeah I know not to re-pot it just quite yet. I'm gonna monitor it for awhile and see how it takes to its new home.