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Hi Quaystar,

Serissa are a bit of a fussy tree to keep. Some people have no problem with them, others have nothing but headache with them. I should imagine you have Serissa Foetida which are native to sub-tropical regions of India and China. Being a sub-tropical plant, they don't like the cold. Ideally from Spring till late Autumn (all the while temps are above 12c), they should be kept outside in the sunshine in a soil that drains quickly.

Come the Winter months or whenever the daily temps drop below 12c, the tree should be brought inside to a well lit area with a gravel tray filled with water underneath it to aid humidity. It sounds like you may have reduced the watering a bit too much, especially if the room is dry and warm. Keep the soil damp to the touch, but not soggy - IE water then allow to dry out till only damp, then rehydrate the soil. Position the tree away from heat sources like radiators etc.

At a guess, I would say that the roots have probably died back a bit through lack of water, and so the tree has shed its leaves in order to preserve itself. 9/10 times, what you see above ground is reflect by whats going on under the soil. Water as suggested above. With any luck the leaves will re-emerge within a few weeks if and when the roots repair/regrow.

Hope that helps.

Good luck!

Aaron

21-Oct-2005	#5
Aaron_K bonsaiTALK Master Chief Join Date: Mar-2004 Country: England USDA Zone: 8 AHS Heat Zone: 2-3 Posts: 1,477	Hi Quaystar, Serissa are a bit of a fussy tree to keep. Some people have no problem with them, others have nothing but headache with them. I should imagine you have Serissa Foetida which are native to sub-tropical regions of India and China. Being a sub-tropical plant, they don't like the cold. Ideally from Spring till late Autumn (all the while temps are above 12c), they should be kept outside in the sunshine in a soil that drains quickly. Come the Winter months or whenever the daily temps drop below 12c, the tree should be brought inside to a well lit area with a gravel tray filled with water underneath it to aid humidity. It sounds like you may have reduced the watering a bit too much, especially if the room is dry and warm. Keep the soil damp to the touch, but not soggy - IE water then allow to dry out till only damp, then rehydrate the soil. Position the tree away from heat sources like radiators etc. At a guess, I would say that the roots have probably died back a bit through lack of water, and so the tree has shed its leaves in order to preserve itself. 9/10 times, what you see above ground is reflect by whats going on under the soil. Water as suggested above. With any luck the leaves will re-emerge within a few weeks if and when the roots repair/regrow. Hope that helps. Good luck! Aaron __________________ Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Muriel Strode Vulpes pilum mutat, non mores! "A fox may change its skin but never its character"