Serissa Mt.Fuji Dying! HELP!!

woaini1116

What sort of soap remedy to use? What do you suggest to do with the soap? I'm not too familiar with using soap.

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ElGringo

In serissa, usually.

Careful about moving serissa about, they don't like it.

Those small bugs, are they some sort of whitefly? These sort of creatues like high moisture levels; watering your bonsai less might help get rid of them, rather than resorting to chemicals.

I think even something like a solution of fairy liquid (dishwashing soap) would kill them. The idea behind using soap (spraying it on the leaves) is that it dissolves the waxy cuticle on the insect's shell, so they simply dehyrate and die.

Good luck with your tree

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PatArizona

G'day woaini...

It's always a good idea to identify the critter, whatever, that has invaded your bonsai...before treatment is started, Then, start with the least toxic treatment.

A good healthy spray of water is a good starter. Then, after you have ID'd the enemy, if water doesn't work, you might try Carl's Soap Solution, see below. If Carl's doesn't work, then, and only then, move on to the chemicals...incecticides.

When resorting to insecticides, ALWAYS read the label! And, unless you don't value your bonsai, never use a "cide" unless it is indicated for your species...and your specific "enemy".

As to Carl's Soap Solution...follow the directions, and it may solve your problem. I have used it for years...probly have't used a "cide" for 7-8 years.

Heeerrreeesss Carl's...

CARL’S SOAP SOLUTION!

INGREDIENTS
Water
Dish Detergent
Rubbing Alcohol
Vegetable Oil

DIRECTIONS

Fill a gallon jug with water and add one (1) or two (2) tablespoons of dishwashing detergent and one (1) tablespoon of vegetable oil (or Neem oil). Shake up the gallon jug to mix the ingredients.

Pour this solution from the gallon bottle into a spray bottle and just before using add 1 to 2 two caps full (from the rubbing alcohol bottle) of rubbing alcohol and spray immediately. If you do not use the full bottle of spray, the next time you are going to use the soap/alcohol solution add the same amount of rubbing alcohol again, since the alcohol will evaporate. You can store this soap/oil solution in the gallon jug for months on end. It does not seem to go bad.

Spray on plants covering all leaf and stem surfaces. You may have to spray from three to four times with intervals of three days. This works for almost any kind of pest that attacks your trees, including scale.

I do not wash off the spray and have seen no adverse reaction to the trees from this mixture.

From Carl L. Rosner, 4/11/2007

It work's for me...maybe it will work for you...or not.

Pat

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Mcspeed

I am thinking you are overwatering, the creatures may be fungus gnats, this is all fairly typical for serrissa.

Dunking a couple times a week is NOT the prefered method for watering, water as needed from the top, let the soil dry down to just moist(not wet), but also be carefull, these dislike drying out more than being overwatered.

A pyrethrin based insecticide is what I use generally for this stuff, there are a bunch out there.

I would start putting them out until you have consistant temps above 65 -67 f.

The contrary info I will give is to let them have a frost or 2 before bringing them in for the winter, they will shed and give you wonderfull half sized leaves.

Phase into the sunlight when you do get them out, it's a huge difference between light inside and direct sunlight. They do better in partial sun once outside, but I have mine in a basement (east ) window, with a florescent fixture over the top, on from 6:00 am to 6:30 pm, and this leaves growth a bit course.

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MelloBonsai

Serissa need extremely well draining soil. If the soil stays damp too long the leaves will yellow. They will also turn yellow when stressed. Carl's soap solution above or Safer's Insectidal soap should work to kill most bugs including whitefly.

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