A Detailed Guide to Making a Serissa japonica Bonsai
Timing
For Serissa japonica plants, division propagation is generally chosen in March, and cuttings propagation is carried out from April to October.
Potting soil
The potting soil for Serissa japonica should be a sandy loam rich in organic matter, loose and fertile, with good drainage and air permeability. The flower pot can be chosen in a slightly darker color to form a contrast with the Serissa japonica and increase its ornamental appeal.
Light
Serissa japonica likes a sunny, warm and humid environment with good ventilation.
Temperature
Serissa japonica has strong vitality and is not afraid of severe cold, but in winter the room temperature should still be kept at around 5-12°C.
Watering
Although Serissa japonica has fairly good drainage, care should be taken not to water too much; keeping the potting soil moist is enough, as water accumulating in the potting soil can easily lead to root rot. In high summer temperatures, clear water can be sprayed on the leaf surface, or on the nearby ground, to maintain relative air humidity.
So, do you know what other types of Serissa japonica bonsai shapes there are?
How to make a Serissa japonica bonsai
Types of Serissa japonica bonsai shapes
The branches and trunk of Serissa japonica are soft yet tough and can withstand wiring, so bonsai shapes are generally divided into the straight trunk style, the twisted style, the cascade style, and so on.
If the pot body is relatively tall, it can be cultivated into the cascade style. The cascade style is further divided, according to the degree of inclination, into semi-cascade, full cascade, and small cascade.
Semi-cascade means the trunk basically extends horizontally out of the pot mouth; for full cascade the trunk must hang down at 45 degrees below the pot mouth; for small cascade the trunk generally hangs down at about 30-40 degrees.
How to make a Serissa japonica bonsai
Carry out division propagation of Serissa japonica in March, and cuttings propagation from April to October.
Use the "grow wood and trunk-chopping method" for processing, or the "combination of pruning and wiring method" for processing. Wiring is often carried out from the time of semi-defoliation in winter to before bud break in spring; the main trunk and main branches of Serissa japonica are wired with metal wire, and the small branches are shaped by pruning.
Transplant into pots in February-March, choosing a relatively dark purple clay pot or glazed pot; the pot should be rather shallow, to form a contrast with the flower color. The potting soil needs to be a sandy loam rich in organic matter, loose and fertile, with good drainage and air permeability.
Repot once every 1-2 years, in February-March of spring or in late autumn; discard all the old soil, prune the roots appropriately, and you can raise the roots in combination with repotting to form exposed roots and enhance the ornamental value.
Key care points for Serissa japonica bonsai
Every year, after semi-defoliation in winter and before bud break the following spring, carry out shaping and pruning, cutting away short and long branches, leggy branches, thin and weak branches, and diseased and pest-damaged branches; during the growing season, carry out pinching, bud removal, branch removal, and so on, to maintain a beautiful shape.
The branches of Serissa japonica are relatively soft and suitable for wiring; in the early stage, the framework should be well guyed and tied, the main trunk and main branches set, and the plant allowed to grow to thicken.
Serissa japonica has a well-developed root system with exposed, claw-like roots; during the care stage, arranging the roots and placing stones is very important, and the design plan and stone selection must be careful.
During the stock-growing period, manage with heavy fertilizer and heavy water; during the shaping period, control according to the specific situation.
By no means water too little; Serissa japonica is very sensitive to water, and if watered too little, the consequence may be withered branches and a withered trunk.
How to make a Serissa japonica bonsai; how to care for a Serissa japonica bonsai
The branches and trunk of Serissa japonica are soft and flexible and can withstand wiring, making it very suitable for viewing as a bonsai. Many people have Serissa japonica bonsai at home; placed on a coffee table, desk or windowsill in the living room, a Serissa japonica bonsai makes the whole room appear fresh and elegant. Below, the editor introduces how to make a Serissa japonica bonsai, and lets you enjoy pictures of Serissa japonica bonsai.
How to make a Serissa japonica bonsai
Source of Serissa japonica bonsai plants: Serissa japonica plants suitable for making bonsai can be obtained by dividing the mother plant in March, or by cuttings propagation from April to October.
Potting soil for Serissa japonica bonsai: The potting soil for Serissa japonica is required to be a sandy loam rich in organic matter, loose and fertile, with good drainage and air permeability. The flower pot can be a relatively shallow purple clay pot or glazed pot, and the pot color should preferably be slightly darker, to form a contrast with the Serissa japonica and increase its ornamental appeal. Serissa japonica is best potted in February-March.
Light and temperature requirements for Serissa japonica bonsai: Serissa japonica likes a sunny, warm and humid environment with good ventilation. In early summer and early autumn, 50%-70% shade should be provided; in winter in the north, the room temperature should be kept at 5-12°C.
Water and fertilizer requirements for Serissa japonica bonsai: During the growing season of Serissa japonica, water frequently; in summer, spray water on the leaf surface of Serissa japonica 1-2 times a day to increase air humidity. In winter, reduce the frequency of watering; keeping the potting soil moist and slightly on the dry side is enough. Serissa japonica likes fertilizer, but each fertilization should not be too concentrated; in April-May each year, apply 2-3 waterings of a 0.5% concentration phosphorus-potassium fertilizer solution to Serissa japonica. In the depths of winter, apply 1-2 additional applications of a dilute organic fertilizer solution; in other seasons, do not fertilize.
How to care for a Serissa japonica bonsai
Repotting and pruning: A Serissa japonica bonsai needs repotting once every 1-2 years, carried out in February-March of spring or during late autumn. First, remove all the old soil from the Serissa japonica and prune the roots appropriately. You can raise the roots in combination with repotting to form exposed roots and enhance the ornamental value.
Every year, after the semi-defoliation of Serissa japonica in winter and before bud break the following spring, choose to carry out shaping and pruning: cut short the long branches and leggy branches, thin out the overly dense thin and weak branches, and cut away diseased and pest-damaged branches as well as other messy branches that affect the ornamental effect. During the growing season of Serissa japonica, carry out pinching, bud removal, branch removal, and so on in good time, which can maintain the beautiful shape of the Serissa japonica bonsai.
Pest and disease control: Serissa japonica bonsai rarely suffers from pests and diseases, but aphids and snails occasionally occur. Aphids can be killed by spraying a 500-600 times diluted solution of essential balm; snails can be killed by spraying a 1500 times diluted solution of 58% Fenglei Ji emulsifiable concentrate. Sometimes root rot occurs; at the initial stage of the disease, use a 600-1000 times diluted solution of 12% copper abietate emulsifiable concentrate, or an 800 times diluted solution of 50% Genfuling, to drench the roots and spray the leaves for control, spraying (drenching) once every 3-5 days, for 3-4 times in succession.
That is all for the introduction to how to make a Serissa japonica bonsai; the editor also introduced how to care for a Serissa japonica bonsai, hoping it can help everyone. Placed at home, a Serissa japonica bonsai not only brings infinite beauty to our home, but also brings us a fresh and elegant fragrance.