ok newbie with twiggy bonsai

Technium

Hi

Ive tried another bonsai forum but tbh it wasnt very popular and this one seems to be more active so thought I would ask here so hope you dont mind.

I have a bonsai my kids brought me about 6 months ago, its about 12" tall and about the same wide. Ive read a few books and know only a little bit, Ive managed to keep it healthy all this time so must be doing something right and it even started to flower wuhu : )

anyway the bonsai seems very twiggy, theres plent of leaves at the ends and stuff but just doesnt seem full, if you move the layer of leaves theres just loads of twigs and stuff .

I will get a pic abit later if I can to show you but was wondering if anyone had any advice how to make it bushier.

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bwaynef

Depending on what kind of tree you've got, a pic should help, thinning the tree out should induce backbudding to fill out the interior of your tree.

A picture would be a lot of help though.

WF

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ElGringo

I bet it's a serissa

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Richard


If I was a lady, would I be 'LaGringa'?

Technium

Thanks, I think its a Serissa Seroides according to the label that was on it at the time of purchase so Elgringo would be correct.

I will try and get a pic abit later.

thanks

bwaynef

I've absolutely NO serissa experience, so I defer to anyone else whose touched one, having automatically more experience than I.

WF

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© 2004 - present bwaynef

Joanie

If you pinch out just the newest buds at the end of each twig, it will help the serissa to start growth farther back on the branch. That will encourage it to fill out, but not be very stressful.

Serissas are a subject of debate here, some people have luck with them but most don't. They are fussy about their growing environment.

Joanie

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Mcspeed

If it's a Serissa, are the flowers a little trumpet shape white or pinkish, they respond well to pruning, if the tree is generally healthy. with pruning you will promote budding. I have found that the harder you prune the more budding you will get on the older growth ( trunk and larger branches) . I've taken a 12" tall lanky leggy tree and trunk chopped it down to a 3" stub to start them over, with a good base and pick your branches form there as they grow from new buds, but this has only been up to about 3/8" diameter stock. If it's the little white rose shaped flower, I find these respond even better to prunning .

Throw us a picture and we can sharpen the advise.

Joanie

And I killed a few serissas with hard pruning, so I am more careful now. The ones that I hard pruned died, the ones that I didn't touch lived. I now pinch more carefully.

These were the ones with purplish stems, pink or white single flowers, and white edging on the leaves.

Joanie

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ElGringo

I might like to add that with serrisas, the edges of the leaves turn black when they are overwatered. They're not my favourite tree, but the flowers make all the effort worth it

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Richard


If I was a lady, would I be 'LaGringa'?