How to propagate Serissa japonica? A brief introduction to two propagation methods

If Serissa japonica is well cared for, it is very beautiful when in bloom. Some friends, after growing Serissa japonica well, want to propagate it themselves. In fact, Serissa japonica is not difficult to cultivate, and it is not difficult to propagate either. Generally, the propagation methods of Serissa japonica can be divided into two: cuttings and division.

Serissa japonica

I. Serissa japonica cuttings:

Serissa japonica is very tough and easy to root from cuttings. As for timing, dormant branches are used from February to March, and semi-mature branches from June to July. Cut 6-8 cm long cuttings and insert them into slightly acidic fine sandy loam, build a shade frame, water carefully after insertion, and keep the seedbed moist; the cuttings root very easily. Several cuttings can also be inserted together; by October to November they can be potted and transplanted, and the seedlings inserted together can be separated into individual plants for transplanting. Softwood cuttings can also be taken in summer and early autumn.

II. Serissa japonica division:

Usually carried out in March in spring. Transplanting can be done in all four seasons, with February to March in spring being the best.

How to grow Serissa japonica: A brief introduction to Serissa japonica

Serissa japonica is the only species in the genus Serissa of the family Rubiaceae. It is an evergreen shrub and one of the trees commonly used for bonsai in China. This tree species is native to subtropical regions. It blooms with star-shaped white flowers every summer, like snow accumulated on the tree. The flowers can be single or double. Some leaves are green, small and smooth on the surface. In modern times, purple-flowered varieties and cultivars with variegated leaves have been cultivated. In temperate regions it can be grown as a houseplant.

Scientific name: Serissa foetida. Aliases: Mantianxing, Baimagu, Suiyedongqing.

Family and genus: Rubiaceae, Serissa.

Evergreen or semi-evergreen small shrub, up to more than 1 m tall. Branchlets densely grown. Leaves small, opposite, ovate or elliptical, 0.7-1.5 cm long, apex acuminate, base gradually narrowed to the petiole, with a short stalk, white hairs on both the leaf margin and the petiole. Flowers in June to July, small, white, solitary or several clustered at the tips of branchlets, corolla funnel-shaped. Drupe, nearly spherical.

The trunk of Serissa japonica is old and cracked, the root system is well developed and gnarled, and the leaves are small and dense, so it has the form of a large tree. In early summer, among the green leaves, flowers bloom in profusion, a mass of white, like snow falling in June, giving off waves of coolness and making people feel refreshed. In particular, the double-flowered variety of Serissa japonica has a long flowering period, blooming continuously from early summer to late autumn. It is a potted flower excellent in root, trunk, leaf and flower, and is also a good material for making small and medium-sized tree-stump bonsai.

[Varieties and cultivars of Serissa japonica]

(1) Golden-edged Serissa japonica (var. ): leaf margins are golden yellow.

(2) Double-flowered Serissa japonica (cv.   Pleniflora): flowers double, white.

(3) Yinmu (var.   crassiramea): branchlets extend upward. Leaves thick and small, densely grown on the branchlets. Flowers single, white with a purple tinge.

(4) Double-flowered Yinmu (var.   crassiramea f. plena): branches and leaves the same as Yinmu, but the flowers are double.

[Propagation of Serissa japonica] Cuttings, division, layering. Cuttings are the main method.

(1) Cuttings: carry out mature-branch cuttings from February to March. Cut one-year-old thick branches into cuttings about 10 cm long; after insertion they root and survive in 30-40 days. In the plum rain season, semi-mature current-year shoot tips can also be used as cuttings; after insertion, shade them and maintain suitable humidity, and they can root in 2-3 weeks, rooting very easily.

(2) Division: carried out in March. Dig up the clustered plants and divide them into several clumps with a sharp knife, planting them separately.

(3) Layering: best carried out in mid-to-late March.

[Key points for growing Serissa japonica]

(1) Temperature: it likes a warm climate, and the most suitable temperature for growth is 15-25°C. It is relatively cold-tolerant and can endure low temperatures of about -5°C in winter. But it is not tolerant of severe cold; potted plants, especially small and medium-sized bonsai, need to be moved indoors for warmth in winter, and the temperature should be kept no lower than 0°C.

(2) Light: it likes a sunny environment and is relatively shade-tolerant. During the growth period it should be placed in a place with sufficient light; it can also grow well in semi-shade. But it is not tolerant of strong sunlight exposure; in summer it should be placed in semi-shade such as under a large tree.

(3) Watering: it has a certain drought tolerance; even if the leaves wither from drought, they can still recover after watering. However, a moist soil environment is better. During the growth period, water should be supplied fully to keep the potting soil moist. It is tolerant of moisture, but avoid waterlogging. Watering should follow the principle of "do not water if not dry, water thoroughly when watering." After winter begins, the plant stops growing, and watering should be restricted to avoid root rot caused by overly wet potting soil.

(4) Environmental humidity: when it is hot and dry in summer, spray water on the leaves in the morning and evening, which is beneficial to plant growth and flowering.

(5) Fertilizing: it is tolerant of poor soil, but in spring a nitrogen-based fertilizer should be applied 1-2 times a month to keep the branches and leaves lush. For types with colored patterns on the leaves, attention should be paid to the combination of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to make the colors bright. In summer, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer should be applied more to increase the amount of flowering. Newly styled plants that have not yet taken shape should be appropriately given more nitrogen fertilizer to promote the early formation of branch pads; generally, potted plants should not be given nitrogen fertilizer too frequently, otherwise it easily causes excessive growth of branches and leaves. Before winter begins, nitrogen fertilizer application should be controlled to avoid excessive autumn growth leading to frost damage. Stop fertilizing in winter.

(6) Pruning: it has strong sprouting ability and is tolerant of pruning. Potted plants can have protruding and overly dense branches cut off at any time to maintain a good plant shape and good ventilation and light penetration inside the plant. For newly styled plants, pruning of branch pads should be strengthened together with fertilizing, promptly cutting back long branches to promote branching and form mature branch pads as quickly as possible. For plants that have already taken shape, when the small branches of the branch pads grow long and affect the styling, the small branches protruding from the branch pads should be cut back early to keep the branch pads flat and of appropriate thickness, and drooping small branches should be removed. The branches of Serissa japonica are soft and flexible and easy to bend, so styling can be done in all four seasons. Suckers easily sprout at the root collar and should be removed by hand promptly when they appear.

(7) Potting and repotting: to show off the color of green leaves and white flowers, dark-colored flower pots should be chosen for planting Serissa japonica. It is not strict about soil, but likes fertile, loose, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. The substrate can be prepared with materials such as leaf mold, garden soil, and rice husk ash. Repot once every 2-3 years, usually in early spring in March. When repotting, root exposure can be combined with raising the roots, letting the roots gradually become exposed to show the appearance of a vigorous large tree and improve ornamental value.

(8) Pest and disease control: there are leaf spot disease and pests such as aphids and red spider mites.

[Common problems in growing Serissa japonica]   

Common problem   Cause  
Leaf veins remain green, but the areas between the veins turn yellow-white   Usually caused by overwatering and overly wet potting soil  
Leaf drop   ① Low temperature; ② Potting soil too dry or too wet; ⑤ Fertilizer too concentrated  
More and more suckers at the root collar   • The suckers should be removed by hand, not cut off with scissors, otherwise small stubs are likely to remain at the cut, causing more and more suckers the more you cut, which is both labor-intensive and unsightly

Serissa japonica pictures: How to grow Serissa japonica

Serissa japonica is a beautiful ornamental plant. It produces beautiful small flowers around June every year, with pure white flowers and a pleasant fragrance, and its ornamental value is especially high. Many people like to grow Serissa japonica at home, but people do not know much about how to grow it. In a moment I will write out all the methods for growing Serissa japonica to share with everyone, and friends who want to grow Serissa japonica can focus on learning them.

1. Propagation and planting

This flowering plant, Serissa japonica, is mainly propagated by cuttings and division. Division is mostly carried out in spring, while cuttings are carried out in early spring. Two-year-old branches can be selected as cuttings and inserted into culture soil at 20 degrees; they can root in about 20 days. After Serissa japonica survives, it can be directly potted and planted. After potting, place it in a cool place and care for it for 2 to 3 weeks, then let it gradually receive sunlight. After a month it can be moved outdoors to receive partial sunlight.

2. Fertilizer and water management for Serissa japonica

Fertilizer and water management during the growing period of Serissa japonica is very important. Usually, do not water it too much; just keep the potting soil moist. During the rainy season, do not let water accumulate in the flower pot. In hot summer weather, promptly spray water on its leaves to lower the temperature, so that Serissa japonica can grow healthily. Serissa japonica is a fertilizer-loving plant. Usually it should be fertilized once a week, but the fertilizer must not be too concentrated, otherwise it will cause excessive growth of branches and leaves and affect the beauty of the tree shape.

3. Regulation of temperature and light

When growing Serissa japonica, attention should also be paid to regulating temperature and light. It cannot tolerate scorching sun exposure; usually it should be grown in a semi-shaded environment. If it is exposed to strong light, the leaves will be scorched and its ornamental value will be affected. Serissa japonica likes a warm environment. Before winter arrives, it must be moved to a warm indoor place. The lowest indoor environment must not be below ten degrees, and the amount of watering should be reduced to keep the potting soil half-dry, so that Serissa japonica can safely overwinter.