Things You'll Need:
- watering can
- pruning shears/scissors
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Step 1
Watering: A serrisa foetida gives several noticeable signs that he is distressed. The two most obvious and easily remedied are the result of under watering and over watering. Under watering is characterized by yellowing leaves that are also dry, crispy, and slightly brown. Mainly, the foliage looks burnt.
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Step 2
If a serrisa foetida is in a under watered state do not attempt to over compensate by repeatedly saturating the soil. Instead water the plant and increase the frequency of your soil moisture inspection. The soil should be checked daily by pressing one’s finger beneath the decorative stones above into the soil. This particular bonsai does not persist in constantly water laden soil and as such the soil should be nearly dry before the next watering.
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Step 3
When watering the plant, completely saturate the soil. The soil mix should be a mix that allows for the drainage of excess water. Thus, a properly potted bonsai can not be given too much water in a single dose. This method of draining excess water allows the caretaker to water thoroughly, so that every part of the root system is well watered. If you are unsure of your potting mix or what mix you should use, consult bonsai text or other various online resources.
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Step 4
To water, simply pour evenly around the base of the tree until water can be seen draining out the bottom of the pot. Wait several minutes then repeat. Note that the bonsai should never sit submerged in water and that excess should be allowed to flow out the bottom of the pot. Should the water in the moisture tray rise above the point where the pot cannot drain excess water, the moisture tray should be drained. [A moisture tray is a shallow container that the bonsai pot rests in. In the tray is a small amount of water that evaporates and brings moisture into the, providing a degree of humidity that is ideal for the serissa foetida.]
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Step 5
Though it is not possible to over water a properly potted bonsai repeated watering and inattentiveness to the soils moisture level can keep the soil too moist and root rot and other complications can arise (it is said that under watering is preferred to over watering, as the complications for the former are far less than the latter). Over watering is recognizable by the colour of the leaves. You will notice perfectly green leaves yellowing. As opposed to the under watered ‘yellow leaves,’ an over water plant will exhibit foliage that yellows but maintains it’s tenacity as a leaf. It will seem like a healthy leaf, but a bright yellow colour. Generally, over watering is noticed throughout the plant, such that the occasional yellow leaf is acceptable but an entire branch or throughout the entire plant is of concern. To remedy this ensure drainage is not complicated and increase your diligence in checking soil moisture levels.
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Step 6
Do not water by schedule! A watering schedule, whereby you simply hydrate the plant every day or every other day, as most plant owners do for common household plants, is unacceptable for a serissa foetida. While it may survive under these conditions, in order to ensure the longevity and health of your plant it is crucial that you check the moisture levels in the soil by touch or by a moisture-meter (which can be purchased at most home garden centers). Unlike some other household plants, bonsai can vary quite drastically in their water consumption and as such they should be treated as though they are a person you are in charge of feeding; ask if their hungry, then feed accordingly. Forcing water upon a already sodden soil can lead to many complications, including root rot.
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Step 7
Pruning: Pruning is a necessary part of bonsai and it is where the ‘art’ of bonsai comes from. An untended bonsai will loose its shape, complicate further growth, and generally make the plant worse off in the long term. Take note of suckers, sprouts growing off the base of the tree or near the trunk along a main branch. These sprouts stunt the growth of the tree as a whole for now resources are being allocated to lower, less appealing portions of the tree. Thus, they ‘suck’ life out of the bonsai. These sprouts can be trimmed off with impunity using pruning shears. If shears are unavailable, sharp household scissors will suffice. When pruning always cut at either the next bud, or intersection, or flush with the main branch/trunk of the tree.
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Step 8
Throughout the days leaves may die, either through the process of acclimatizing to a new environment, watering conditions, or simply by being choked out by other foliage. These leaves should be ‘finger pruned’ by pinching them between your thumb and forefinger and pulling with mild pressure. If it’s tenacious simply let it be. It may rebound or continue to loose its strength until it can be easily pulled off. This maintenance pruning is necessary for the well being of the plant. These leaves, along with ‘black branches,’ will drain resources from the plant and affect the overall quality of growth. Black branches are those branches that have lost all their leaves and have turned from green to black. Essentially they are rotting and should be pruned immediately.
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Step 9
Other things to note for pruning include uncrossing branches that have crossed through growth, trimming sprouts that grow ‘downward’ off branches (on the bottom of the branch). Ultimately, the plant should be trimmed down according to the number of leaves on each sprout but that this article and isn’t necessary at this point.
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Step 10
Also note that A serrisa foetida should not be near or on top of a vent nor should he be subjected to neither drafts nor a temperature below 7°C.
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Step 11
Further Reading:
http://www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Serissa.html
