How to Grow a Serissa japonica Bonsai and Its Benefits and Effects

How to Grow a Serissa japonica Bonsai: The Benefits and Effects of Serissa japonica

  In summer, when it is hot and dry, besides watering every day, use clean water to sprinkle the leaf surfaces and nearby ground in the morning and evening to lower the temperature and increase air humidity. The plant should be placed under a shade shed, and never left for long in strong direct sunlight. After autumn, as the temperature drops, gradually control the amount of watering, watering once every 2 to 3 days. In winter, move it into a cold room or indoors where the temperature does not drop below 0°C to overwinter, watering once every 20 to 30 days; if the room temperature is above 15°C, it stays evergreen and does not drop its leaves, so water once every 7 to 10 days, and keep the air moist and give it sunlight. During severe cold, it must never be allowed to freeze, otherwise it easily dies. Every year before taking it out in March, repot it with leaf mold soil, and use hoof and horn pieces at the bottom of the pot as base fertilizer.

  Dodder Disease

  Dodder is a climbing herbaceous plant that parasitizes Serissa japonica, winding its vines around the trunk and branches. The entwined branches develop constrictions, and the vines form haustoria at the constrictions to absorb nutrients from the tree. The vines grow rapidly, continuously branching and winding around the host plant, and interweave with one another to cover the entire canopy. Garden control method: in severely affected plots, deep plow every year; seeds buried below 3 cm rarely emerge. In late spring and early summer, inspect in time; when dodder is found, remove and destroy it together with weeds and the affected parts of the host, and clear away the sprouting branches and wild plants that serve as a bridge. Chemical control method: at the peak of seed germination, spray the ground with 1.5% sodium pentachlorophenate and 2% prometryn solution, then spray once every 25 days thereafter, for a total of 3 to 4 sprays, to kill dodder seedlings.

  There are relatively few pests and diseases. Occasionally aphids cause damage, which can be killed by spraying with a 1500-fold dilution of omethoate.

  The basic tasks of its care are watering and fertilizing. The principle of watering is: do not water until dry, and never overwater; if the pot surface stays wet for a long time, the roots have difficulty breathing and rot easily, leading to death. Fertilizing should be frequent and light, using decomposed liquid fertilizer; do not fertilize in summer, and do not fertilize during the flowering period, so as to avoid excessive growth that distorts the shape. From May to June, pinching of shoot tips should be carried out, and new buds in July should be removed.

  Potted flowers should be kept in a fixed position and not moved around from place to place; Serissa japonica is particular about phototropism. In summer, shade it from above under strong sunlight, keep it ventilated, and spray water on its leaves 1 to 2 times a day to maintain air humidity. In severe winter, it can be lightly wrapped with straw (at around -10°C) to prevent it from freezing to death.

  The pests and diseases of Serissa japonica are generally scale insects. You can spray a 1000-fold to 1500-fold dilution of 40% omethoate or a 1000-fold to 1500-fold dilution of 25% phosfolan to control them.

  Serissa japonica grown in the ground is simple and extensive to manage; in the south it can be planted in mass in gardens to form shrub thickets, and in summer it looks as white as snow from afar, giving a feeling of coolness and elegance. It is usually used for shaped potted ornamental display or for making stump bonsai. First, train the plant into a single-trunk form, then according to the design concept, prune and wire the side branches to make various bonsai, all of which can achieve ideal results. In summer it should be kept outdoors; if placed indoors, it must be in a bright spot with increased ventilation, otherwise the branches will grow leggy, the leaf color will turn yellow, and the lower leaves will often drop in large numbers. Throughout the year, keep the pot soil moderately moist; in hot summer and dry seasons, keep the pot soil moist frequently and spray water on the leaf surfaces to keep the branches and leaves fresh. During the growing season, apply liquid fertilizer 3 to 4 times. In winter, if you do not continue to enjoy it, you may let it drop its leaves, then move it into a cellar or bury it entirely in soil to overwinter. If brought into a low-temperature greenhouse to overwinter, it can remain evergreen; the room temperature must not be lower than 6°C, and good ventilation and sufficient light should be maintained. Before taking it out in early spring, potted plants should be short-pruned and pinched back to keep the plant shape symmetrical and full, while bonsai need pruning and shaping for artistic treatment.

  It likes semi-shade by nature, fears strong sunlight, has strong sprouting ability, tolerates pruning quite well, is easy to plant, and is extensively managed. Artificial cultivation is done in fertile sandy loam. In mid-October, move it into a greenhouse, keep the room temperature at 10-15°C, water thoroughly once a week, and in late April move it out of the greenhouse and place it under a shade shed for care. It does not need heavy fertilizer; applying a thin liquid fertilizer once a month and keeping the pot soil moist will allow it to grow well. If Serissa japonica is kept above 5°C in winter, its branches and leaves remain lush and evergreen, but the soil must not be too dry and should be kept slightly moist. Because Serissa japonica has especially strong sprouting ability, many new shoots emerge from the main trunk and roots; excess new shoots should be removed in time to avoid consuming nutrients and disrupting the normal development of the tree shape. The branches that emerge after flowering and protrude beyond the canopy should also be pruned, otherwise the ornamental value is affected.

  Transplanting can be done in all four seasons, but March to April in spring is best. It can also be grown in pots. The potting soil must be rich in humus, loose, breathable and well-draining; it can be prepared with 4 parts decomposed cow dung, 1 part decomposed cake fertilizer, 4 parts garden soil, and 1 part coal ash. After potting, first place it in semi-shade; the pot soil should be kept moist, and tap water must be sunned before use. It has a certain drought tolerance but is not tolerant of waterlogging; watering should follow the principle of watering when dry and not watering when not dry, and in the rainy season prevent water accumulation in the pot; if the weather is very rainy, the pot should be laid on its side; in hot and dry summer seasons, spray water on the leaf surfaces in the morning and evening to lower the temperature and increase air humidity, so as to promote its growth and flowering. Every half month you can also water once with 1% edible vinegar water to prevent soil alkalization and plant yellowing. During the growing season, apply a thin liquid fertilizer once every 10-15 days, or apply fertilizer with the water, that is, mix in thin liquid fertilizer each time you water. In addition to soil fertilization, foliar feeding should also be done regularly, spraying the leaves with a 1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution to adjust the pH and increase the plant's nutrition. In summer, the plant should avoid strong sunlight; you can use a small-hole nylon net or plastic window screen to build a semi-transparent shade shed, creating a microclimate suitable for the plant's growth, which is especially important for variegated Serissa japonica.

  Serissa japonica can be wired and processed into bonsai stumps with varied and highly distinctive postures. Select a clump of Serissa japonica with a thick stem and a certain form, dig it out in March or April, divide it into different plantings of single-trunk, double-trunk or multiple-trunk, cut off excess branches and trunks, and tie the roots with bamboo strips or other easily rotted cords into a dragon-claw shape before potting. In daily management, pay attention to proper water supply. When the young branches grow to 8-10 cm long, apply decomposed oil cake fertilizer to promote the seedlings; at the same time, keep only a few of the buds sprouting from the stem or roots and remove the rest, and excess buds on the stems and branches should also be removed at any time. After potting, the tree stock can be processed and shaped in about 3 months, and can be wired with palm fiber. Pay attention to the coordination of high and low, and the staggered arrangement of front and back, processing and shaping carefully, one tray and one branch at a time. After wiring, in addition to normal watering, fertilizing, and pest and disease control, you should also promptly remove buds, prune and rewire; the following year the wire can be removed.

  It likes semi-shade, fears water accumulation, fears strong sunlight, and has strong resistance; for potting, soft mountain soil must be used, and it should be placed in a sunny spot and not kept indoors for long. During the growing season, apply fertilizer 1~2 times; the pot soil is better kept on the drier side, as too much or too concentrated fertilizer and water will cause leggy branches and leaves. It has the characteristics of fine leaves, dense branches, thick trunk and exposed roots, so it is one of the excellent materials for bonsai. The branches and trunk of Serissa japonica are soft and tough and can withstand wiring; it is divided into straight-trunk style, twisted style, cliff style and so on. If the pot is tall, it can be grown into a cliff style. Cliff style is further divided into semi-cliff, full-cliff and small-cliff depending on the degree of inclination. So-called semi-cliff means the trunk basically extends horizontally beyond the pot rim. For full-cliff, the trunk must hang down 45 degrees past the pot rim. For small-cliff, the trunk generally hangs down about 30 degrees to 40 degrees. A natural style with slight trimming is also possible.

  Propagation is mainly by cuttings, and layering, division and cuttings can also be used. Generally, hardwood is used in early spring, but in the plum rain season softwood or old branches can also be used. When making small or miniature bonsai, in order to promote rapid shaping, often in the plum rain season of June-July, take a perennial branch with a beautiful posture and a large-tree form, cut the lower end into a horseshoe shape, insert it into vermiculite or sand, cover it with film to keep it warm, pay attention to spraying water, and it can take root in about 40 days; at this point transplant it, and with slight tying and pruning it can be shaped. Because this grass is easy to find in the mountains and wilds everywhere, some flower growers often dig it directly from the woods and bring it back for potting.

  Serissa japonica has strong adaptability and is relatively simple to cultivate and care for, but because it fears strong sunlight, during the growing season it should be placed in semi-shade and moist places such as under tree shade; otherwise too strong light will affect growth and be unfavorable for ornamental display. Although this grass somewhat likes fertilizer, if too much fertilizer is applied, the branches will grow too vigorously and new branches will easily become leggy; generally apply decomposed cake fertilizer water only once before winter and once after flowering. It has a certain drought tolerance but is not tolerant of waterlogging; watering should follow the principle of watering when dry and not watering when not dry, and in the rainy season prevent water accumulation in the pot; if the weather is very rainy, the pot should be laid on its side; in hot and dry summer seasons, spray water on the leaf surfaces in the morning and evening to lower the temperature and increase air humidity, so as to promote its growth and flowering.

  Because Serissa japonica has especially strong sprouting ability, many new shoots emerge from the main trunk and roots; excess new shoots should be removed in time to avoid consuming nutrients and disrupting the normal development of the tree shape. The branches that emerge after flowering and protrude beyond the canopy should also be pruned, otherwise the ornamental value is affected.

  If Serissa japonica is kept above 5°C in winter, its branches and leaves remain lush and evergreen, but the soil must not be too dry and should be kept slightly moist.

  [Bonsai Making Method]:

  Processing and shaping: The "grow-out and trunk-chop method" can be used for processing, or the "pruning and wiring combined method" can be used for shaping. Wiring is often carried out from after half-leaf-drop in winter to before bud break in spring; the trunk and main branches are wired with metal wire, and the small branches are shaped by fine pruning.

  Transplanting and potting: Transplanting and potting are best done in February-March, and can also be done in the plum rain season and late autumn. Choose a relatively shallow round, square or oval purple clay pot or glazed pot; the pot color should be slightly darker to form a contrast with the flower color. The potting soil should be sandy loam rich in organic matter, loose, fertile and with good drainage and air permeability; it can be prepared by mixing leaf mold, pine needle soil and peat with 40% sand or rice husk ash.

  Water and fertilizer management: During the growing season, water frequently to keep the pot soil moist; do not let it stay too dry or too wet for long periods, and never allow water to accumulate in the pot or the pot soil to dry out. In summer, spray water on the leaf surfaces 1-2 times a day; in winter, appropriately reduce the frequency of watering, keeping the pot soil moist and slightly on the dry side. From April to May each year, water with 2-3 applications of 0.5% phosphorus-potassium fertilizer solution; in deep winter, apply 1-2 additional applications of thin organic fertilizer solution; do not fertilize in other seasons. Avoid applying concentrated fertilizer.

  Light and temperature requirements: During the growing season, it is best kept in a place with ample sunlight, warm and humid, and good ventilation. In summer and early autumn, shade it 50%-70%; avoid strong sunlight. In winter, it can overwinter outdoors in the south, while in the north it should be moved indoors, with the room temperature kept at 5-12°C.

  Repotting and pruning: Repot once every 1-2 years, in February-March of spring or during late autumn, remove all the old soil, and appropriately prune the roots. Repotting can be combined with root raising to form exposed roots and increase ornamental value. Every year from after half-leaf-drop in winter to before bud break the following spring, carry out one shaping and pruning, shortening long branches and leggy branches, thinning out overly dense fine weak branches, and cutting off diseased and pest-damaged branches as well as other messy branches that affect the ornamental appearance; during the growing season, promptly pinch, remove buds, and remove branches, so as to maintain a beautiful shape. The healthy branches cut off can be used for cutting propagation.

  Pest and disease control: Serissa japonica bonsai has relatively few pests and diseases, with occasional occurrences of aphids and snails. Aphids can be killed by spraying with a 500-600-fold dilution of essential balm; snails can be killed by spraying with a 1500-fold dilution of 58% Fengleiji emulsifiable concentrate. Root rot sometimes occurs; at the initial stage, use a 600-1000-fold dilution of 12% copper abietate emulsifiable concentrate, or an 800-fold dilution of 50% Genfuing, to drench the roots and spray the leaves for control, spraying (drenching) once every 3-5 days, for 3-4 consecutive sprays (drenches).

  Traditional Chinese medicine is very helpful in treating certain diseases, so you can feel at ease when choosing herbal medicines. Serissa japonica is a medicinal material that is not unfamiliar to us. Do you know its benefits and effects? Let's take a look.

  [Aliases] Baimagu, Mantianxing [Jiangsu, Guangdong], Lubianjiang, Tianxingmu, Lubianjing, Jiguchai. [Source] It is the whole plant of Serissa serissoides (DC.) Druce, a plant of the genus Serissa in the Rubiaceae family, used as medicine. It can be collected throughout the year. Wash and use fresh, or cut into sections and dry in the sun.

  [Original form] A small evergreen shrub, usually 1 m tall, much branched, with slender roots and yellow outer bark. The branches are stout, gray-white or blue-gray; the young branches have fine hairs and give off a foul odor when rubbed. The leaves are opposite or clustered on short branches, nearly leathery, obovate, elliptic or oblanceolate. It blooms small white flowers in August. The drupe is small and spherical.

  [Nature and flavor] Bland, slightly pungent, cool.

  [Functions and indications] Disperses wind and releases the exterior, clears heat and drains dampness, and relaxes sinews and activates collaterals. Used for colds, cough, toothache, acute tonsillitis, pharyngitis, acute and chronic hepatitis, enteritis, dysentery, childhood malnutrition, high blood pressure headache, migraine, rheumatic joint pain, and leukorrhea; the stem is burned to ash and applied to the eyes to treat eye nebula.

  [Usage and dosage] 0.5~1 liang.

How to Grow a Serissa japonica Bonsai: The Complete Guide to Cultivation Methods and Care Knowledge for Serissa japonica Bonsai

Serissa japonica is a year-round evergreen subtropical tree that bears beautiful white flowers throughout the year. The trunk is rough in texture, and thorny branches grow out, forming a dome-shaped canopy together with the leaves. How to grow a Serissa japonica bonsai? In fact, there are many things to note when cultivating Serissa japonica. The article below very comprehensively sets out how to grow a Serissa japonica bonsai as well as the complete guide to cultivation methods and care knowledge for Serissa japonica bonsai.

The Placement of a Serissa japonica Bonsai Is Particular

Serissa japonica pays great attention to its growing location; although the tree does not like being moved, it may be necessary to give it a happy home. When grown indoors, the tree needs six to eight hours of direct sunlight. It should not be placed on a windowsill, because it does not like temperature changes. In addition, it must be placed outside for a few weeks every year in spring or summer. This tree can be grown outdoors year-round in subtropical climates.

Issues to Note When Watering a Serissa japonica Bonsai

The tree must always be kept moist. Keep a regular watering schedule so that two-thirds of the soil dries out, then water thoroughly.

"Food Feeding" for a Serissa japonica Bonsai

During the growing stage, feed this tree twice a month. In autumn and winter, reduce feeding to once a month. When the leaves drop or growth stops, do not feed the plant. Feed with potted fertilizer in liquid form according to the application instructions. It is important that the soil is moist when the plant is fertilized. This eliminates the risk of root burn.

How to Grow a Serissa japonica Bonsai: Cultivation Methods and Precautions for Serissa japonica / Do Not Overwater

Serissa japonica should be familiar to many flower lovers; it is the most popular bonsai tree today and sells very well both domestically and abroad. In daily life, many beginners buy Serissa japonica bonsai from flower markets, but they do not know how to grow them. In response, the editor has carefully compiled the cultivation methods and precautions for Serissa japonica, which are very comprehensive; those who want to grow it must take a look~

1. How to Grow a Serissa japonica Bonsai: Do Not Overwater

After buying a Serissa japonica bonsai from the flower market, we can grow it indoors, and we can also grow it indoors. As for how to grow a Serissa japonica bonsai, in terms of light, Serissa japonica is not demanding, but in terms of water and fertilizer you must be careful not to give too much, otherwise growth will be affected. The specifics are all in the cultivation methods and precautions for Serissa japonica; let's continue reading below.

2. Cultivation Methods and Precautions for Serissa japonica

1. Soil, slightly acidic

After the Serissa japonica bonsai is bought, there is soil inside it; the soil mentioned here is what we need when repotting. Serissa japonica has strong drought tolerance, so it is not strict about soil, but if you want it to grow well, it is best to prepare a slightly acidic growing medium rich in humus, loose, fertile and highly permeable.

2. Light, needs to be sufficient

In the cultivation methods for Serissa japonica, light is naturally indispensable, but the specific requirements depend on the situation. If grown outdoors, Serissa japonica must be given sufficient light; if grown indoors, it can be placed near a window, and when light is insufficient, use a fluorescent lamp to supplement light.

Precautions: Once light is insufficient, Serissa japonica will grow very loosely, and its appearance will not be so beautiful. In addition, if it is grown outdoors and you want to move it indoors, at this time you should change the environment gradually; do not move it indoors all at once, and also ensure that the indoor position where it is placed can receive light.

3. Watering, water again only when dry

How to grow a Serissa japonica bonsai? Watering is very crucial. It is understood that Serissa japonica likes moisture but hates water accumulation, so we should not water too much or too frequently; just keep the pot soil moist, and water again only when dry.

Precautions: When grown outdoors, do not allow water to accumulate in the pot during the rainy season, so as to avoid root rot. When the weather is hot in summer, in addition to watering, spray water on the leaf surfaces in the morning and evening to lower the temperature and increase air humidity, so as to promote its growth.

4. Fertilizing, once a month

Having discussed watering, let's talk about fertilizing. In the cultivation methods for Serissa japonica, it has requirements for fertilizer; in winter, we should reduce fertilizing, and from early summer begin to increase the amount, fertilizing once a month.

Precautions: When fertilizing, keep the compost moist to avoid burning the root tips. Fertilizing prefers slightly acidic soil conditions. When Serissa japonica has already lost its leaves, stop fertilizing, or if it does not show new growth points.

5. Temperature, 18-26°C

How to grow a Serissa japonica bonsai? A suitable temperature is very important. It is understood that Serissa japonica likes a warm, shady and humid environment and is not cold-tolerant; the most suitable temperature is 18-26°C. If the room temperature is above 15°C, it can remain evergreen without dropping its leaves.

Precautions: Although Serissa japonica has strong adaptability, it also needs protection. If it is outdoors, when the temperature is below 7°C, it must be moved indoors.

3. Precautions for Cultivating Serissa japonica

In the cultivation methods for Serissa japonica above, several points needing attention have already been mentioned, and I believe everyone should have remembered them. However, besides those mentioned above, there are three more points that flower lovers need to note, namely pruning, repotting, and pest and disease control. The precautions for cultivating Serissa japonica are as follows:

1. Pruning

Serissa japonica grows very fast, so flower lovers need to prune it frequently to maintain its shape. Every year from leaf drop in winter to before bud break the following spring, we should carry out one shaping and pruning of Serissa japonica, shortening long branches and leggy branches, thinning out overly dense fine weak branches, and cutting off diseased and pest-damaged branches. During the growing season, pinching, bud removal, and branch removal should also be carried out; the specific operations are described in detail in how to prune Serissa japonica, so we will not say more here.

2. Repotting

To ensure that Serissa japonica has sufficient nutrients, it needs to be repotted once every 1-2 years, generally in February-March of spring. Remove all the old soil and replace it with clean growing medium: loose, fertile and highly permeable slightly acidic soil. When repotting, appropriately prune the roots to form exposed roots and increase ornamental value.

3. Pest and disease control

Serissa japonica bonsai has relatively few pests and diseases, but during cultivation, if there is slight negligence, aphids, snails, root rot and the like will still appear, thereby affecting plant growth and ultimately leading to reduced ornamental value. As for what to do specifically, it is described in detail in pest and disease control for Serissa japonica, so we will not say more here.