Hello everyone,



I returned today from the Philadelphia Flower Show with a major investment
and a work of art. I am a proud owner of what seems to be a 30 year old or
so Serissa Japonica in slight semi-cascade / slanting style.



The tree seems to be in great shape aside from needing some root-pruning and
a pot. The leaves are green and there are presently no signs of flowers.
Currently the tree is in a plastic pot with a good amount of healthy white
roots wrapped all around. The root mass does not seem to be too
overcrowded yet. The tree is about 15" tall and it lives in a 10" pot.
Upon watering the tree it took a good amount of time for the water to appear
in the drainage tray. Considering the soil seems to have very good
drainage, I would say that the roots have not complete forced the soil out
of the pot.



I know that Serissa can be temperamental. I realize that they don't like
environmental changes. They tend to lose their leaves on a whim. I will
take precaution not to over water the tree (seems to be a major killer of
the species). I plan to mist the tree in the morning for added humidity.
However I can't do anything about the change of scenery. I don't know if
the tree was an outdoor tree because I did not get a chance to talk to the
previous owner. I am assuming that since the tree came from Philadelphia,
and Philly is hardly a tropical city, it must have spend a good amount of
time indoors; and inside it will stay until I buy a house. I do have ample
amount of sunlight in the apartment. But I have read conflicting opinions
on the type of sunlight the Serissa desires. Most seem to suggest that it
likes medium and indirect sunlight. I will need to work on that
considering I have Southern and Western Exposure. What have been your
experiences? Does anyone residing in the Northeastern part of US have
experience with this tree?



Taking into consideration Serissa's dislike for being moved, would it be
safe to transplant and root-prune the tree in a few weeks? I can always
comb out the roots and put it in a larger pot until next spring or autumn,
if it is unsafe to move the tree. The last I want is to be the one to bring
about the demise of this beautiful tree. Does anyone have any suggestions
or advice? (This is my first Serissa.) Oh, and how bad is the "wretched"
smell produced by root-pruning?



Thank you in advance,



Dmitry

I am a proud owner of what seems to be a 30 year old or so Serissa Japonica
in slight semi-cascade / slanting style.

I won't comment too much on the age of the tree, but what makes you think it is
30 years old? What is the trunk caliper? The correct name is Serissa foetida.
The species originated in China.

Currently the tree is in a plastic pot with a good amount of healthy white
roots wrapped all around. The root mass does not seem to be too overcrowded
yet. The tree is about 15" tall and it lives in a 10" pot. Upon watering the
tree it took a good amount of time for the water to appear in the drainage
tray.

From your description, I would say the pot is about the right size, but the
tree is badly in need of repotting in a better draining soil.

I plan to mist the tree in the morning for added humidity.

This will not help significantly. You need a humidity gauge, and possibly a
humidifier.

inside it will stay until I buy a house. I do have ample amount of
sunlight in the apartment. But I have read conflicting opinions on the type of
sunlight the Serissa desires. Most seem to suggest that it likes medium and
indirect sunlight.

You should try to make arrangements to keep the tree outdoors in the summer.
Outdoors, Serissa likes just a little shade. Indoors it should get full sun.
Under fluorescent lights is even better. What is more important, try to keep it
cool.

Does anyone residing in the Northeastern part of US have experience with
this tree?

I have killed more than my share.

would it be safe to transplant and root-prune the tree in a few weeks?

Wait until the weather is warmer & it is acclimated to your conditions.

Oh, and how bad is the "wretched" smell produced by root-pruning?

It smells like a slightly spoiled radish. I have smelled worse.

Iris,
Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40
"If we see light at the end of the tunnel, It's the light of the oncoming
train."
Robert Lowell (1917-1977)

"Iris Cohen" wrote in message
...
I am a proud owner of what seems to be a 30 year old or so Serissa
Japonica
in slight semi-cascade / slanting style.

I won't comment too much on the age of the tree, but what makes you think
it is
30 years old? What is the trunk caliper? The correct name is Serissa
foetida.
The species originated in China.

I probably overestimated its age. Its probably only 20 to 22 years. I can
post a picture in the gallery if you are interested.

Currently the tree is in a plastic pot with a good amount of healthy
white
roots wrapped all around. The root mass does not seem to be too
overcrowded
yet. The tree is about 15" tall and it lives in a 10" pot. Upon watering
the
tree it took a good amount of time for the water to appear in the drainage
tray.

From your description, I would say the pot is about the right size, but
the
tree is badly in need of repotting in a better draining soil.

I plan to mist the tree in the morning for added humidity.

This will not help significantly. You need a humidity gauge, and possibly
a
humidifier.

Thanx for your suggestion. It actually happens that I do have one. I am
assuming that I can pick up a humidity gauge in the local Radio Shack.
What's the recommended humidity percentage for this species?

inside it will stay until I buy a house. I do have ample amount of
sunlight in the apartment. But I have read conflicting opinions on the
type of
sunlight the Serissa desires. Most seem to suggest that it likes medium
and
indirect sunlight.

You should try to make arrangements to keep the tree outdoors in the
summer.
Outdoors, Serissa likes just a little shade. Indoors it should get full
sun.
Under fluorescent lights is even better. What is more important, try to
keep it
cool.

Does anyone residing in the Northeastern part of US have experience
with
this tree?

I have killed more than my share.

would it be safe to transplant and root-prune the tree in a few weeks?


Wait until the weather is warmer & it is acclimated to your conditions.

Oh, and how bad is the "wretched" smell produced by root-pruning?

It smells like a slightly spoiled radish. I have smelled worse.

Iris,
Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40
"If we see light at the end of the tunnel, It's the light of the oncoming
train."
Robert Lowell (1917-1977)

Thank you very much for all your suggestions. I will definitely wait to
transplant and prune the tree until it becomes more acclimated to its new
environment.

Dmitry