Proud (and Terrified) New Bonsai Parent

Fyrefly

Hello everyone! First off, I bought myself a bonsai at the Cherry Blossom street festival in Washington, D.C. yesterday. I'm currently a University student, and I live as well as attend school in Maryland. The good news: I read the papers the vendor was handing out about the different species, and I didn't buy the lovely juniper and keep it inside, because I saw it said "outside only". So one potential death averted. I also found this lovely little tree which I bought, which said it was ideal for beginners, grew well, and was tropical, so it could be kept indoors and should be put out in the summer. Perfect, I thought, I can keep it in my dorm room, and when I go home for the summer and my family's cats become a threat, the little guy can live outside. Next fall, I'm getting an on-campus apartment, so I'll be able to have a bit more freedom with where to place it. The people at the bonsai association across the aisle agreed with me, saying that Maryland's hot and humid summers should be perfect for it. They even showed me how to prune the fellow.

The bad news, you ask? I bought a Serissa, which based on my internet research thus far, is the prima donna of the bonsai world. So basically, I'd like some help sorting out all of the conflicting care advice I've gotten thus far, and keeping the little fellow alive for the next month and a half before I can get it home.

The tree is underneath of the single north-facing window in my dorm room, on a night stand. The theory is when we have the window open or the window fan in to vent the room, its low enough that it doesn't really get in the draft. We do have fans in the room running, because we have no air conditioning and it's starting to get hot. I'm using a water bottle to mist the leaves in the morning and at night. I'm thinking next weekend I can go to Target (my only store within bus range; I have no care), and buy some supplies. Right now I was thinking of putting Serissa on top of a plastic takeout container which I would then fill with water and cut holes in to make a pseudo humidity tray thing.

So a few questions. One, it's in what appears to be potting soil, which still feels slightly moist at the top this morning, so I haven't watered it yet. Watering advice has been everything from submerge the pot in water to water it once it dries out to pouring water through it every day. I've also heard only water it when it gets dry. But surely letting a tropical plant dry out isn't the best idea? Second, I was thinking of getting some time-release fertilizer and using that to feed it. Any thoughts with regards to that? Also, the people at the bonsai group clipped a few branches while teaching me what to do. I read online to only prune in winter. Did that hurt it?

I'd really like to do right by this little fellow, who I assume will look gorgeous once it starts to bloom. Based on the fact that I read it drops leaves every time its slightly irritated, I was rather pleased/surprised that it wasn't bald this morning. I didn't carry him around DC and through the Metro system for 4 hours yesterday for nothing. I want it to work out between us (this sounds like a relationship, doesn't it?) and I'd like your help to not commit bonsaicide.

Thanks for reading all of this, and for your help!

Stymie

Hello Firefly and welcome.
As you already seem to know, your choice of variety was ill-advised. The conditions in your dorm will not be ideal. Read the guidance near to the top of this forum for conditions to aim at. Summer pruning is not only possible but almost mandatory to keep it in shape. You have our good wishes for the best of luck. If and when it expires, please consider one of the figs which will be more accomodating.

Fyrefly

Is there a chance I could get some opinions about fertilizer and how much to let the soil dry out between waterings? I don't think it's right to write this one off as being a lost cause simply because of its species. I want to try to do my best and make conditions as best I can for it. After reading around the forums here, it seems like people are very helpful and accommodating, so you understand its a bit of a shock to see someone condemning my first bonsai to death when it hasn't even been in my possession for 24 hours yet.

imholte

He wasnt being rude, just telling you how it is, truth sometime is brutally honest.

The fact is that serissa are very hard to care for, even for those that have been doing it for quite some time. I had one in college too and it lasted a few months maybe. They need high humidity and good care, really a greenhouse would be better. I would not buy one again for I dont want to risk losing a tree that i have had put years into just to have it die due to a little temp swing or moisture problem. To me they are just too much of a hassle to deal with and invest time into.

If you want us to tell you that it will be fine and you will have no problems then we have a problem. I am not going to sugar coat things or say things to make people feel good. I will tell them the truth and how I feel. You will kill trees, lots of them. Everyone does and has. I still kill trees every now and then, but usually ones that I am not familar with.

You will have much better success with a fig like Don was mentioning. By all means go for it with the serissa but dont be surprised if its dead in a month. The advice that we give is based on experience. We all have done the serissa thing in the beginning.

My serissa died so I cannot give you good advice on them. But I would have to guess that you should water it when it is just about to dry out. I fertilize once a week with quarter strength fertilizer.

Fyrefly

I'm glad to hear your explanation, imholte. I understand that the honest truth can be brutal. I appreciate your advice for the future, but right now this tree is mine</