My first steps!! Serissa Questions

[ducker_3]

Last summer got my first bonsai - I went with a Serissa even though the bonsai shop said they can be tricky at times.
It's been in my care for now almost 7 months. I did a prune back at the end of the fall, and I'm still seeing some nice steady growth.

But during the winter months, I have been seeing a lot more yellowing of leaves, as well as wrinkled leaves.
It's still putting out new growth - so I don't think it's bad off, it's just.. I hate seeing it drop leaves - and having wrinkled up leaves.

The setup at home is under some grow lights (as it has been since I brought it home) So no natural light.
Temp inside has cooled off slightly versus during summer months - and humidity levels have dropped a bit - but I'm keeping humidity at a minimum of 50%

Thoughts on if there is anything I should be concerned about? Posted pictures from when I got the planet back in July - and now today.
Overall I am happy with my success when looking at the before/after pictures - I was really expecting to not have nearly this level of success.

Thanks!
-Mike

ps. that little shoot at the bottom, is a sacrificial branch that showed up. Figured I'd let it stay for a season or so to help thicken up the roots/lower trunk..

 

[Tele]

They do not like to be moved I feel and they need some winter sleep without freezing.
Working on my second after killing the first. I will cut back more often from now (probably 3x a year) and I try prevent bigger cuts this way.

Try prevent doing to much at the same time especially when you move the tree in/out.
When they go outside you will see much smaller and healthier leaves. Literally 10% of the size but always a few going yellow. I have no solution to the badly coloured and wrinkled leaves yet.

I like this YT series:

 

[Shibui]

Serissa love to shoot out suckers from the base of the trunk and from the roots. They can certainly be used as sacrifice branches to try to thicken the trunk but I spend more time chopping suckers than pruning the branches above.
Down here they can tolerate temps down to freezing and just below but if it gets much colder they can die Indoors should be fine as it's unlikely to get that cold.
Leaves will eventually die. Even evergreen leaves have a finite lifespan - usually 2-4 years then they are worn out and no use so the tree lets those older ones die. Provided the dying leaves are the older ones (further down the branches) there's probably no problem.
Overwatering and underwatering can cause leaves to die off prematurely but the outer leaves on yours appear glossy and healthy so I doubt that's the problem.
Lack of light can sometimes affect leaves but your grow lights should have that covered. Sometimes we see lower branches and inner shoots die off because they are not getting enough light through the other branches. Turning the tree around each week can make sure all parts get equal light.
Mites and other bugs can be a real problem for indoor plants. Usual signs are mottled yellow leaves and faint spidery webs, especially under the leaves. A magnifying glass is usually required to confirm mites as most are too small to see easily. Definitely check carefully and trat for mites as soon as you notice them because they breed like crazy and can decimate an indoor tree very quick.

 

[namnhi]

Freezing temp will not kill a serrisa if root is protected. I have one that has escaped roots through the pond basket survived 19F. Even the tweaks that is half pencil thick leafing out now. Low temp will kill them is a myth.

 

[ducker_3]

ok... so the leaves aren't really old... and I don't see any of the typical signs for mites. Although I am dealing with fungus gnats in the house in general. They don't appear to be around the Serissa much at all - perhaps that's just causing things to be a little off. Again, overall, to me, the tree looks overall health. Maybe I'm wrong. but it doesn't appear to be an issue, yet I'd HATE for it to become an issue!

I've watched a number of Nigel's videos - but I haven't seen that one.. thanks @Tele !!

-Mike