Serrisa

lee_0

Hi i have this serrisa that is going down hill slowly since i re-potted it in march.
when i got it i had it for 4months and decided to re-pot it as the soil wasn't free draining. i know they are fickle trees and do not like change, other than the new medium it is in i haven't changed anything els.It gets good light misted daily and on a humidity tray. The medium is part cat litter part grit( small stones)and composted chip bark, which is free draining. Iknow in there natural habbitat they live in a damp/wet ground.
So the thing is, i've been digussing its well being with my wife, who seems to think i should re-pot it again (although im not so sure i should) into a medium that doesn't drain so quickly.
Could i get some feedback on this please as i really dont want to loose this baby.
one is before the re-pot and the other is today
Kind Regards Lee

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waltr

Do not re-pot again. Serrisa really do not like their roots being messed with.
Just adjust your watering practice to maintain moisture in the new soil. It may only be throwing a fit and will recover later this year. Even if it appears dead don't give up.

Mcspeed

They really do not like thier feet wet all the time, they like to dry out even less, so watch it and water as the soil is still just moist, not wet. I concur no more repot til it neeeds it again in a year or so. Better I think to repot these when it's warmer.

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Yandrosxx

I've grown the attached for fifteen years and it bears repeating, they don't like wet feet. That's a myth.

Don't repot it again either. Water normally (i.e., when the soil is beginning to dry). For me that's once a day during the growing season. Sometimes every other day. Place it outdoors assuming it's late spring, early summer where you are and night time temps are above 45 degress.

They like HIGH humidity. 70%, plus. Wilting after transplanting with a serissa is usually excessive transporation. Their leaves are paper thin and very small, it doesn't take much water loss through their leaves to cause them to wilt. Even less effort when the root mass is reduced during repotting. (More watering is not an answer).

In dry environments (your house, apartment, whatever) heavy water loss through the leaves is virtually assured any time of the year. Most houses, apartments, etc. have relative humidity levels around 50% or lower (in the winter 15% to 20% is common, that's drier than a desert). Terrible environment for serissas and in my view the number one reason why they are considered difficult because most people try to grow them indoors and during the winter months do nothing to accommodate for the dryness of their homes.

Also, a humidity tray and misting really don't help that much. Put a hygrometer next to it and you'll see what I mean. When I added a humidifier to my sunroom, the response from serissa was night and day.

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lee_0

Thankyou all very much for taking time and replying.
I didn't think re-potting was the answer but i have it here now to show the Mrs. I will try just and get my watering correct. Fingers crossed she will pull through. Thanks again Reagards Lee
p.s very nice tree Yandrosxx

clrosner

Absolutely, do not repot......!!!

You might consider putting your Serissa in an enclosed plastic bag (the tips of the branches should not touch the plastic. What I call an ICU. I believe you can find more information by searching ICU on this Forum.

I live in zone 6/7 and for the last 6 or 7 years, I bury my Serissa for the winter in my flower bed up to the first branch, pot and all. I do not bring it in doors at all. The Serissa love their dormant time and come back with loads of flowers. I just sold my forest, but here is a picture of it to back up my statements!

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Carl L. Rosner - near Atlantic City zone 6/7
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Yandrosxx

Carl,

What's the lowest winter temp you experience?

I've left mine out on accident when temps have dropped into the upper thirties with no ill-effects. But, I've never been confident enough to heal it in the winter. I bring it into the sunroom in late September and turn on the humidifier.

clrosner

The winter of 2007 was a little colder than this past winter, but in 2007, we had a week of temperatures in the single digits. The pictures I posted were taken the spring after the 2007 winter.

Remember, I buried the Trees up to the lowest branch, pot and all.

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Carl L. Rosner - near Atlantic City zone 6/7
arteacher3725@yahoo.com

CHECK OUT MY UPDATED WEBSITE AT[B]:
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Mcspeed

Good info from Carl and Yandrosxx, by the way Yandrossxx I will back up Carls statement about temps, Serrissa love to get a frost or 2 to set them up for dormancy. I have 2 pots full of last years cuttings that stayed on my 3 season porch with a Satsuki, and a couple others that didn't want to freeze this past winter, temps ran from 30 to 40 F. and they didn't even drop the leaves, still doing fine. They may not be a hardy temperate, but they aren't wimpy subtropicals either.

__________________
If at first you don't succeed -- skydiving is not for you.


Always remember that you're unique -- just like everyone else

Enjoy this day.
Bill