Exactly what does 'indoor' mean?

Indoor means that a plant will survive indoors if that's where it
is forced to live. But it won't like it.

You obviously know that there aren't any "indoor" plants in
nature. Serissa may, in fact, be one of the
less-likely-to-survive-indoors-at-the-hands-of-a-newcomer bonsai.
They are tough, but temperamental, and when they suddenly lose
their leaves (as they will) neophytes assume they're in trouble
and pour on the water and fertilizer and assorted other forms of
TLC overkill -- and do just that.

They, like all plants, will do better when kept outdoors.
Serissa will like it outdoors until nighttime temperatures get
down to the mid 40s; they should _survive_ in pots to the upper
30s, but somewhere in between should be brought inside to a warm,
humid environment. Warm is fairly easy to provide indoors, as is
light -- though it takes more light than you would imagine to
keep the tree healthy and happy. Keep it in a southern window;
IN the window, not 2 feet away! North, east, or west (especially
north) are unlikely to provide enough light. Or, you can buy
grow lights. It is the "humid" part that's tough, and even
tougher if you provide indoor lighting. Humidity the serissa
would like will mildew everything in the house.

So it is a compromise, and serissa do NOT compromise. It will
immediately lose its leaves when brought inside. At this point,
WATCH YOUR WATERING. Never water until the soil feels dry.
Leafless plants don't use much water. Don't fertilize. The tree
will likely sprout a few leaves fairly soon, then will limp along
over the winter. As soon as nighttime temps reach the 40s in the
spring, put it outside again and it will be happy as a clam at
high tide. Then you can fertilize and water normally.

All the above assumes no greenhouse habitat. And, if you are in
the southern hemisphere, keep it in a northern window -- through
you should be putting it outside, right about now.

For a tree that will be happier in your house, get a Ficus (fig).

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - The phrase
'sustainable growth' is an oxymoron. - Stephen Viederman

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Lisa Kanis++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++