Technical Sheet - Serissa

Common Name: Serissa

Scientific Name: Serissa Foetida

Description: It belongs to the Rubiaceae family (coffee family) and originates from Southern China and Japan. Its Latin name (phoetida = foul-smelling) comes from the smell it emits when pruned.

A perennial bonsai with small, oval leaves, it produces many flowers throughout the year, but mainly at the end of Summer.

There are varieties more suitable for indoors (Chinensis) and others for outdoors (Japónica).

All have a Variegata version (white and green leaves) which needs to be more exposed to the sun since it has less green "area" to perform photosynthesis.

Location: Indoors near a window (maximum distance 50 cm), without curtains or blinds, where it receives 2 to 3 hours of direct sunlight per day, rotating 180° weekly, away from heat sources or air conditioning. It can spend the hot months outside but does not tolerate temperatures below 12°C (Variegata can live outdoors all year round).

Watering: Water the soil abundantly until a lot of water runs out through the drainage holes, in order to moisten the soil evenly, always from above never by immersion, using a fine-spout watering can.

For watering tips, consult the watering technical sheet.

They have low water consumption and are sensitive to root fungi (if subjected to excess water and/or lack of light).

Let the surface layer of the soil dry out between each watering (to check if the plant needs water, touch the soil with your fingers).

If there is a tray under the Bonsai, never leave any water in it (to prevent root rot).

There is no benefit in spraying the leaves; only do it on days you fertilize and if the fertilizer is specific for foliar application, but ensure the leaves dry by nightfall to avoid fungi.

Nutrition: From February to November, with a basic plan consisting of a complete fertilizer (Fertil Bonsai Humic, or Green & Gold Bonsai Organic or Biogold), and a biostimulant throughout the year (Bio Bonsai Activ), which can also be combined with other products from our range.

Detailed information on how to combine these products with others from our range, or for a more specific nutrition plan,  consult the complete nutrition plan technical sheet.

Pruning: It can be pruned like a "hedge" (with large-handle scissors). It tolerates strong formative pruning up to the base branching, at the beginning of Summer, and then it regrows stronger and more beautiful (denser).

For pruning tips, consult the pruning and defoliation technical sheet.

Transplanting: With Leafy Bonsai Soil in April/May with strong pruning.

Details about transplanting, post-transplant care, and specific fortifiers you can use, consult the transplanting technical sheet.

 
Wiring: Uncommon, can be done all year round, it is very brittle.

Instructions on wiring,  consult the wiring technical sheet.