A few pointers
 

Hi all I heve just bought a bonsai starter which is a Serissa foetida "variegata" and am just wondering on the best way to keep it. Have read lots of info on watering and think I will be ok there but could do with some pointers on cutting and wiring and when to do it. My serissa is pretty small- about 3 inches high at the mo so am dubious to do anything with it.

You guys must get asked thing like this all the time and be sick of it! There seems to bee too much info around for me to easily find this info! Sorry!

Many thanks

Steve

A few pointers
 

Good luck. I loved mine.

Sadly, it passed on this winter (Chicago, IL). I hope you have better luck.

Steve white wrote:
Hi all I heve just bought a bonsai starter which is a Serissa foetida
"variegata" and am just wondering on the best way to keep it. Have read
lots of info on watering and think I will be ok there but could do with
some pointers on cutting and wiring and when to do it. My serissa is
pretty small- about 3 inches high at the mo so am dubious to do
anything with it.

You guys must get asked thing like this all the time and be sick of it!
There seems to bee too much info around for me to easily find this info!
Sorry!

Many thanks

Steve

Hi Steve,
It depends where you live as to the best way to keep your Serissa. Here in Queensland Australia, there are no special requirements because we don't have a cold winter or such, and these type of shrubs grow 365 days of the year. For really detailed advice on this delightful tree try this website:

http://www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Serissa.html

There is only one species of Serissa - Serissa Foetida. The variegated type is only a variation on the original. Foetida is Latin for Fetid - something you will find out pretty quick when you cut the roots or bark - it stinks! Be careful when wiring, the branches are very brittle and snap easily. Don't bend too much at one go, better to bend a bit, leave it for a week or two and bend a little more till you get where you want to go. Serissas make excellent miniatures in just about any style you want. Most common is informal (or leaning) upright, but they also make good full or semi cascades and root over rock.They can make larger trees, but it takes many years for the trunks to thicken enough. A problem with Serissas is that they 'sucker' from the roots and especially from any cut, injury or damage to the roots. There is no way of stopping this except cut the suckers off or better still, cut the root holding the sucker and put it in another pot - instant new tree!
Hope this information is helpful, but check out that site - it has some good information on it.
Regards
TinanaTaffy