j wrote:
Hi,

I received this bonsai and am not sure what species it is? Can this type
live indoors?

Thanks,

John

------------------------------------------------------------------------


Here you go! It's a wonderful tree but they are tough. Yes, indoors
for this tree but it likes being outdoor under the temps indicated below.

Good Luck!

Lou, NY

Serissa - Serissa foetida

General information: These small shrubs are much loved as bonsai for
their tiny flowers which may occur 2-3 times yearly, gnarled trunks, and
naturally miniature leaves. Most bonsai are S. foetida, of which many
cultivars are available.

Probably the two most common bonsai purchased by the casual bonsai buyer
in America are Juniperus and Serissa. Judging from the number of junked
junipers and shriveled Serissas, beginners would be far happier with elm
and Ficus. Serissa is a notoriously fussy bonsai. The good news is that
they aren't that hard to keep alive. But considering that most people
buy Serissa on impulse because the plant is so spectacular at the store,
the bad news is bad indeed. The plant will generally drop its flowers
within a day or two. Then the plant will drop its leaves. If the grower
doesn't panic (and many Serissas are inadvertantly killed by panicing
beginners who respond by drastically over/underwatering the plant) the
plant will soon regrow its leaves. A power struggle then ensues. The
grower soon discovers that the Serissa drops its leaves if it has too
much water. Too little water. If it's too hot or too cold. If it's
moved, or there is a shift in lighting or temperature.

Lighting: Partial sun for S. foetida, full sun for S. crassiramea. If
kept indoors, needs 1000 Lux. Use of grow lamps for 12 hours daily is
beneficial. Too little light will result in leggy growth.

Temperatu Hardy to zone 9. Some growers bring them in when temps drop
to 50F, others leave them outside until temps are in the 20s! Ideal
winter temperatures range from 50-68F. More important than the actual
temperature seems to be two factors: the plant dislikes a sudden change
in lighting (many die from lack of light when brought indoors) and
individual plants may be show different hardinesses (a Serissa grown
outdoors from youth will withstand a greater variation in temperature
than a Serissa purchased from a greenhouse). If brought indoors, do not
position this plant near a heat source, or it will lose leaves. If kept
outdoors year round, will drop leaves as the temperatures become colder.

Watering: Keep evenly moist. It generally needs lots of water during
warm weather, so much that some authorities recommend placing the
Serissa in a tray of water. Others warn against this, as it encourages
root rot. Serissa is not a natural water-lover like bald cypress, so a
water tray should not be necessary if you faithfully water at the first
sign of dryness. However, if Serissa dries out, it will soon drop its
leaves. If this occurs, remember to reduce watering until the leaves
return, or root rot may ensue. Some recommend misting in dry weather.
Some recommend daily misting, but do not mist while in bloom as this
causes the flowers to rot. Placing the Serissa on a moisture tray is
another option.

Feeding: Every 10-14 days during growth, every 4-6 weeks in winter,
using liquid bonsai food or half-strength plant food. Likes slightly
acid soil condiditions, so the occasional application of Miracid is
appreciated.

Pruning and wiring: When in bloom, remove fading flowers to encourage
further flower production. Prune as needed; the Serissa is a fast grower
and may need radical or repeated pruning to maintain its shape. Will bud
back on old wood; in fact, some books recommend occasionally pruning
back beyond old growth to help the plant maintain its shape. Wire during
the growing period. Serissa will grow air roots and is often used in
exposed root or root over rock styles. Eliminate unwanted suckers
extending from the base. Suitable for all styles except formal upright
and broom. Suitable for extra small to medium sizes.

Propagation: Cuttings root quite easily. Lesniewicz recommends using 4
inch cuttings in a glass of water from early summer on. The Samsons
recommend bottom heat which would probably induce rooting faster.

Repotting: Every 1-2 years in spring. The newly pruned roots will emit a
wretched odor! Prune roots moderately, and use basic bonsai soil.

Pests and diseases: Red spider mite, scale, wooly aphids, mildew. Pests
are usually not as much of a problem as a sudden change in conditions
such as light, temperature, etc.

Some species suitable for bonsai:

* Serissa crassiramea: Makino serissa - A broad leaved shrub. It
bears white flowers.
* Serissa foetida (also called S. japonica): tree of a thousand
stars, snow rose, June snow - Many cultivars are available, including
single and double flowered varieties. Emits an unpleasant smell when
pruned, hence the name.
* Serissa foetida 'Chinese' - small tubular white flowers which
bloom only sporadically. Light green foliage.
* Serissa foetida 'Flore Pleno' - double white flowers which are
produced throughout the year. Dark green foliage.
* Serissa foetida 'Kyoto' - a very tiny dwarf with single white
flowers - rarely grows over a foot high.
* Serissa foetida 'Kyoto Variegated' - Just what it says.
* Serissa foetida 'Mt. Fuji' - This cultivar has larger leaves and
a thicker stem than other Serissas. It is strongly variegated, with
single white flowers. Variegation changes throughout the year, based on
temperature, light and nutrient content.
* Serissa foetida 'Pink Mountain' - A slow growing cv. with
variegated foliage in winter and single pink flowers.
* Serissa foetida 'Pink Princess' - Light pink buds opening to
white, tubular flowers.
* Serissa foetida rosea 'Ahiro Pink' - single pink flowers,
variegated foliage.
* Serissa foetida rosea 'Cherry Blossom' - single pink blossoms,
variegated foliage.
* Serissa foetida rosea 'Pink Swan' - single pink flowers,
variegated foliage.
* Serissa foetida rosea 'Tancho' - single pink flowers, variegated
foliage.
* Serissa foetida 'Variegata' -green leaves, with yellow or cream
colored margins.
* Serissa foetida 'White Swan' - single white flowers, variegated
foliage. Reputedly stronger than the average Serissa, this cv. forms
trunks quickly and seems resistant to the normal Serissa fussiness!
* Serissa foetida 'Yatsubusa' - Very dwarf cv. with tiny pink and
tiny dark green congested foliage.

Compiled by Sabrina Caine

Return to: Index by Botanical Name or Index by Common Name

Thanks!

Louis F. Carbone wrote:
j wrote:

Hi,

I received this bonsai and am not sure what species it is? Can this
type live indoors?

Thanks,

John

------------------------------------------------------------------------


Here you go! It's a wonderful tree but they are tough. Yes, indoors
for this tree but it likes being outdoor under the temps indicated below.

Good Luck!

Lou, NY

Serissa - Serissa foetida

General information: These small shrubs are much loved as bonsai for
their tiny flowers which may occur 2-3 times yearly, gnarled trunks, and
naturally miniature leaves. Most bonsai are S. foetida, of which many
cultivars are available.

Probably the two most common bonsai purchased by the casual bonsai buyer
in America are Juniperus and Serissa. Judging from the number of junked
junipers and shriveled Serissas, beginners would be far happier with elm
and Ficus. Serissa is a notoriously fussy bonsai. The good news is that
they aren't that hard to keep alive. But considering that most people
buy Serissa on impulse because the plant is so spectacular at the store,
the bad news is bad indeed. The plant will generally drop its flowers
within a day or two. Then the plant will drop its leaves. If the grower
doesn't panic (and many Serissas are inadvertantly killed by panicing
beginners who respond by drastically over/underwatering the plant) the
plant will soon regrow its leaves. A power struggle then ensues. The
grower soon discovers that the Serissa drops its leaves if it has too
much water. Too little water. If it's too hot or too cold. If it's
moved, or there is a shift in lighting or temperature.

Lighting: Partial sun for S. foetida, full sun for S. crassiramea. If
kept indoors, needs 1000 Lux. Use of grow lamps for 12 hours daily is
beneficial. Too little light will result in leggy growth.

Temperatu Hardy to zone 9. Some growers bring them in when temps drop
to 50F, others leave them outside until temps are in the 20s! Ideal
winter temperatures range from 50-68F. More important than the actual
temperature seems to be two factors: the plant dislikes a sudden change
in lighting (many die from lack of light when brought indoors) and
individual plants may be show different hardinesses (a Serissa grown
outdoors from youth will withstand a greater variation in temperature
than a Serissa purchased from a greenhouse). If brought indoors, do not
position this plant near a heat source, or it will lose leaves. If kept
outdoors year round, will drop leaves as the temperatures become colder.

Watering: Keep evenly moist. It generally needs lots of water during
warm weather, so much that some authorities recommend placing the
Serissa in a tray of water. Others warn against this, as it encourages
root rot. Serissa is not a natural water-lover like bald cypress, so a
water tray should not be necessary if you faithfully water at the first
sign of dryness. However, if Serissa dries out, it will soon drop its
leaves. If this occurs, remember to reduce watering until the leaves
return, or root rot may ensue. Some recommend misting in dry weather.
Some recommend daily misting, but do not mist while in bloom as this
causes the flowers to rot. Placing the Serissa on a moisture tray is
another option.

Feeding: Every 10-14 days during growth, every 4-6 weeks in winter,
using liquid bonsai food or half-strength plant food. Likes slightly
acid soil condiditions, so the occasional application of Miracid is
appreciated.

Pruning and wiring: When in bloom, remove fading flowers to encourage
further flower production. Prune as needed; the Serissa is a fast grower
and may need radical or repeated pruning to maintain its shape. Will bud
back on old wood; in fact, some books recommend occasionally pruning
back beyond old growth to help the plant maintain its shape. Wire during
the growing period. Serissa will grow air roots and is often used in
exposed root or root over rock styles. Eliminate unwanted suckers
extending from the base. Suitable for all styles except formal upright
and broom. Suitable for extra small to medium sizes.

Propagation: Cuttings root quite easily. Lesniewicz recommends using 4
inch cuttings in a glass of water from early summer on. The Samsons
recommend bottom heat which would probably induce rooting faster.

Repotting: Every 1-2 years in spring. The newly pruned roots will emit a
wretched odor! Prune roots moderately, and use basic bonsai soil.

Pests and diseases: Red spider mite, scale, wooly aphids, mildew. Pests
are usually not as much of a problem as a sudden change in conditions
such as light, temperature, etc.

Some species suitable for bonsai:

* Serissa crassiramea: Makino serissa - A broad leaved shrub. It
bears white flowers.
* Serissa foetida (also called S. japonica): tree of a thousand
stars, snow rose, June snow - Many cultivars are available, including
single and double flowered varieties. Emits an unpleasant smell when
pruned, hence the name.
* Serissa foetida 'Chinese' - small tubular white flowers which
bloom only sporadically. Light green foliage.
* Serissa foetida 'Flore Pleno' - double white flowers which are
produced throughout the year. Dark green foliage.
* Serissa foetida 'Kyoto' - a very tiny dwarf with single white
flowers - rarely grows over a foot high.
* Serissa foetida 'Kyoto Variegated' - Just what it says.
* Serissa foetida 'Mt. Fuji' - This cultivar has larger leaves and a
thicker stem than other Serissas. It is strongly variegated, with single
white flowers. Variegation changes throughout the year, based on
temperature, light and nutrient content.
* Serissa foetida 'Pink Mountain' - A slow growing cv. with
variegated foliage in winter and single pink flowers.
* Serissa foetida 'Pink Princess' - Light pink buds opening to
white, tubular flowers.
* Serissa foetida rosea 'Ahiro Pink' - single pink flowers,
variegated foliage.
* Serissa foetida rosea 'Cherry Blossom' - single pink blossoms,
variegated foliage.
* Serissa foetida rosea 'Pink Swan' - single pink flowers,
variegated foliage.
* Serissa foetida rosea 'Tancho' - single pink flowers, variegated
foliage.
* Serissa foetida 'Variegata' -green leaves, with yellow or cream
colored margins.
* Serissa foetida 'White Swan' - single white flowers, variegated
foliage. Reputedly stronger than the average Serissa, this cv. forms
trunks quickly and seems resistant to the normal Serissa fussiness!
* Serissa foetida 'Yatsubusa' - Very dwarf cv. with tiny pink and
tiny dark green congested foliage.

Compiled by Sabrina Caine

Return to: Index by Botanical Name or Index by Common Name