Serissa tree questions/problems?

[edw]

Hi guys, I've attached a photo of a serissa tree i bought from a nursery 3 weeks. I am new at this horticulture stuff though I have grown some herbs/tomatoes, etc in the past
I live in Hong Kong
Plant is on a south facing window ledge.
Humidity is currently about 70%
temperature outside is about 31-35 degrees celsius in the day, and around 29 C at night
i have a few questions:
1) the pot does not have any drainage holes. The shop told me it doesn't matter for a small tree, but online I'm told that the pot should have drainage holes? Does it mean I should drain
2) Previously the leaves were all green when I purchased it. Is the disclouration/paleness/going yellow normal for this tree? (I am most worried about this - is my pant dying?)
3) How often should i fertilise this plant?
4) What product do you reccomend I fertilise with?
5) How often to water? I water once a day
6) btw, the moss seems to be yellowing out- it was previously a nice green colour
What I am I doing wrong???
Any other pointers would be helpful

Thanks!

 

[sorce]

Welcome to Crazy!

Drainage is probably better!

Sorce

 

[HorseloverFat]

Hoots and hollers as you round the river bend, traveller. Enjoy the many resources available in this.. the Tiny Forest.

I love serissas!

They need drainage.. Sorce is right..

They also are very quick to SHOW discomfort from stress.. in the LEAVES primarily. So that is normal... deep breaths

Moss (for me) always dies inside, except in my “moss collection bins”..Sealed.. with lights.. So if you are indoors, this may be the problem... Humans arranged for their houses to be dry.. moss likes wet.

The substrate is pretty.

Pleasure to make your acquaintance.

Get some holes under it.

 

[jamal01]

1) From my learning - it is always best to have drainage. Its not MANDATORY, but it becomes harder as you need to make sure you have good draining soil and water sparsely

2) Previously the leaves were all green when I purchased it. Is the disclouration/paleness/going yellow normal for this tree? (I am most worried about this - is my pant dying?) --> might be a sign of some sort of stress, this I am not too sure

3) How often should i fertilise this plant? --> Serissa bonsai once every two weeks during the growing season when the tree is actively growing, with half strength fertilizer. In fall and winter, reduce feeding frequency to one feeding per month.

4) What product do you reccomend I fertilise with? --> Use a balanced liquid bonsai fertilizer and follow the label’s instructions for application methods and amounts. Never apply dry fertilizer to dry soil as you may burn your Serissa’s roots.

5) How often to water? I water once a day --> watering on a schedule can be misleading, rather should be done based on dryness of soil. Water your Serissa whenever the soil is almost completely dry. Check the soil’s moisture level twice daily by sticking a finger or skewer/toothpick into the soil down to the bottom of the container. When the very bottom layer is still barely moist and nearly dry, give your Serissa bonsai a nice, long drink.

6) btw, the moss seems to be yellowing out- it was previously a nice green colour --> I think those are the exposed roots? They almost always dry out inside with sunlight for me.

Cheers!

 

[Carol 83]

it is always best to have drainage. Its not MANDATORY

Yes it is.

 

[jamal01]

Yes it is.

Sorry, drainage is mandatory. Drainage hole its not. It is possible to have good drainage without a drainage hole. But a drainage hole is the easiest way to accomplish this

 

[Carol 83]

It is possible to have good drainage without a drainage hole.

How is that possible? Not trying to be a jerk, but if the water can't drain out the hole, the soil at the bottom of the pot is going to stay wet for an extended period of time. In my limited experience, Serissa don't like wet feet.

 

[jamal01]

How is that possible? Not trying to be a jerk, but if the water can't drain out the hole, the soil at the bottom of the pot is going to stay wet for an extended period of time. In my limited experience, Serissa don't like wet feet.

Apologies, maybe I was misinformed then. I always go with the drainage hole because it is the easiest thing to do to contribute to drainage.
However I always thought if you used a sufficient depth of rocks on the base of a pot without a drainage hole,and ensured you water 'sparingly', you would be able to have adequate drainage to prevent root rot and other issues caused by saturated soil.

It is possible I was misinformed, it is what I was told at the local nursery. But I always just drill a hole in the pot for all my plants... or use the pot as an "overpot" by placing a plastic pot inside it, and removing it fand placing back ~ 1 hour after watering.

 

[edw]

wow thanks all for the great tips
really appreciate it
I really am motivated to help my first bonsai live long and prosper haha
I actually have a second one - ficus ginsng - far less picky that this plant!
i don't know how I am going to drill a hole in the ceramic lol; so I think this will be my next step
i found out today from the shop that some of the leaves can have this colour, phew - it's not dying

 

[Carol 83]

It is possible I was misinformed,

I didn't mean to sound snippy.

 

[jamal01]

I didn't mean to sound snippy.

All good! I probably came across as more confident than I should have!