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CARE INFORMATION
likes humidity of 65%+, but don’t overwater; don't water until one leaf turns yellow
or dull; signs of overwatering include a sudden loss of leaves, wilting leaves and
flowers, and lack of growth; over-watering rescue could take place by putting
damaged tree in a nursery container with 50% horticultural sand or poultry grit, 30% Perlite, and 20% compost,
watering and then putting in a corner: good results should start in a couple of weeks
if the tree is not dead; high humidity when flowering said to discolor petals; indoors keep cool; give
as much light as possible, but not too much direct sun; similar care and feeding as
African violets; can be difficult to shape; remove suckers from base, or train them as
smaller members of a grove planting; bugs can become a major problem without excellent
air circulation around; leaves turn black and fall off with stunted growth if winter
temps go below 55°F; strong Nitrogen fertilizer said to cause black leaves also; very
prone to drop leaves when stressed, including getting a change in lighting or
temperature; continuous pruning seems to weaken the plant; similarly, only allow one
flowering per year and remove emerging blossoms after first flowering is past; wire
before watering; wire marks said to grow/fill out O.K.; will bud back on old wood; hold
off root pruning as long as possible (and then be aware that cut roots normally emit a
rank odor), repot into larger container if necessary; if tree drops its leaves in autumn
or winter, cut back watering and carefully continue limited watering -- has been known to
bud again as late as May and be healthy; softwood cuttings said to root easily in spring
or summer
Serissa ( Serissa foetida ), Tree of a Thousand Stars, Snow Rose
SEE ALSO:
Bonsai Clubs International species care guide, http://www.bonsai-bci.com/species/serissa.html Bonsai4me Species Guide, http://www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Serissa.html Bonsaiweb.com species care guide, http://www.bonsaiweb.com/care/faq/serissa.html Brussel's Bonsai care sheets, http://www.brusselsbonsai.com/care/care_sheets/serissa.shtml |