Serissa advice please.

FunkyMiaow · Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:13 am Post subject: Serissa advice please.

Hiya,

I have a couple of days ago been given a Serissa bonsai. It seems well (moss on the trunk, on the compost and is even about to flower, i can see the bud maybe about to open). It should be in a happy place: my living room giving south (in Scotland it is not much Laughing

), about 1.5 meters away from the window.
My only problem is that it is root bound (the root ball is secured, as i gently lifted the tree, I could see that the roots filled the whole pot) and the compost mixture, I think, is way too sandy (water going right through as opposed to be somewhat retained). Here is my question, as it seems about to flower, is it a good idea to re-pot it now, or should I wait a bit? I am even thinking, seeing the amount of roots, that pruning them would be a good idea. Can you please advise me?
Thanks!

Stymie · Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:20 am Post subject: Re: Serissa advice please.

Hello FM and welcome.
Don't disturb the roots yet. The free-draining planting medium is good. Get it nearer to the light but away from draughts and heat sources. It needs lots of light and a humid atmosphere (moist air). See the notes about Serrisa in this forum above. Let it settle to your regime before giving it any more stress. Its a temperamental client.

Fyrefly · White Belt Joined: 13 Apr 2008 Posts: 8 Location: Maryland

I second Stymie (look at me, new and giving advice) and I would say also get a humidity tray. Put a little bit of water in some sort of tray container, and use pebbles or something to keep the pot out of the water, so it evaporates and forms a humid happy place around your plant. I'm misting mine twice a day with a squirt bottle, but I think you're supposed to stop that once it flowers. I'd let it be too. You've only had it for a couple of days. Let it adjust to one thing at a time. First its surroundings, then maybe re-potting once its nice and happy.