What is happening to the soil?

[bonzi]

Hi guys,

Please excuse us, as we're super new to keeping bonsais. My wife and I bought a small serissa bonsai at the markets about a month ago. The seller told us it's about 3 years old.

We've been noticing these small piles of soil coming out from the sides of the rock and around the edges of the moss and pot.

1) What does this mean?
2) What is causing this to happen?
3) Is it something we should be worried about?
4) Should we do something about it?

On another note, we're also noticing small white worms when we soak the pot into water. Are these dangerous? What should we do?

Thanks in advance for any help, much appreciated

-bonzi

[shibui]

The little piles of soil looks like worm castings so there's probably a worm living in the pot which should not hurt the bonsai.

Small white worms could be 'white worms' which are common in pot plants, especially if they are a bit on the wet side. The like high organic matter and acid conditions and are good fish food. I don't think they are a problem for the tree but the wet soil might be. I'd try letting the potting mix dry out a little more between waterings - just be careful not to let it dry to the stage where the tree suffers.

It would be interesting to see what sort of potting mix the tree is in. Some sellers use inferior mix to maximise profits.
Enjoy your bonsai.

[bonzi]

Thank you so much Shibui for your reply.

Judging by the size of those worm castings, would one be able to tell how big the worm is? You mentioned "should not" hurt the bonsai, does that mean that there are worms that can potentially damage the bonsai?

How can we tell what kind of potting mix was used?

On another note, we've noticed small little insects on the undersides of leaves. Are these harmful?

Thanks!

[shibui]

Worms eat dead organic matter so will not directly affect the tree but when they digest organic matter they leave very fine castings that can clog up the spaces in the potting mix - no spaces = no air or water in the mix and eventually the tree will suffer.

To check the potting mix lift a bit of moss and have a look. Mix suitable for bonsai usually has relatively large grains of sand/ gravel and pine bark so there's lots of space for air and water between the grains. If the tree has been in the pot a while you can lift the whole rootball out of the pot and check what the roots are like. Healthy roots are white, black roots are dead and rotting. - you might even find your worm.

Little insects under the leaves could be many things -aphids, scale, white flying insects could be thrips none of which are good for the tree and need treating. If you're not sure you could take the tree or a sample to a nursery for a diagnosis and get the correct treatment. Insects often attack trees that are in poor health. It may be your tree is staying too wet and the roots are suffering.

[bonzi]

Thanks Shibui.

How often should we be watering the bonsai, for how long and till what depth?

We've been soaking the entire pot into a bowl every 2 days for 10 minutes, so the water level is up to the base of the trunk.
Is this correct?

thanks!

[Handy Mick]

I hope your tree is outside, if so water with hose on mist when soil dries, it depends on soil and the weather when you water, dunk maybe once a month, maybe.

Mick

[Bretts]

Hi Bonzi
I know absolutely nothing about Serissa. But there is a joke among the international bonsai people of a common post that states. Help bought a Serissa bonsai from the markets and it is dying. Apparently this happens after the tree is already dead. Luckily you have come here before that and your tree still looks quite healthy

Most trees/bonsai do not do well inside but like I said I have no idea with Serissa and Shibui is very learned in many species so I will also wait and see what the advice is.

Some people suggest that dunking a pot in water like you suggest is not the best way as it will not wash the salts out or in other words freshen the soil by flushing water though the pot.
I have never agreed with that as long as you are dunking it in water that goes over the top of the pot then I can see no reason why this would not also flush the soil fresh. It is a good idea to maybe dunk the tree a couple of times. Let it soak for a while if you wish but when you take it out lift it up, let it drain and then dunk it again, drain. It is hard to give a schedule for watering as there are many variables. The best basic advice we can give is saturate the soil when watering but then do not water again until almost dry.
I keep several trees inside over Winter and I find dunking in the kitchen sink a practical way to water. You can let the tree drain on the sink top for say 10 minutes and then place on any furniture without a drip tray as no more water will drain from the pot after this.
Believe it or not
Good luck

[Jester]

Waaaaay too much water Bonzi!!! Forget the soaking business mate. I was going to say you can do a finger test but ofcourse you have moss so this is not really practical. here's a tip

Get a BBQ skewer and insert into soil to bottom of pot for 20 minutes. When u take it out, if it is wet, your OK etc etc. When u water, make sure you water enough so the water drips out of the other end of the pot and don't keep your pot in a saucer. The water should be allowed to drain out free and without interference.

A Serissa is a great starter for bonsai newbies.(Also happens to be my favourite species) From what I can see in the photo, i believe you have the variety known as Serissa Serissoides. Hope this helps.

John

[Jester]

PS Here's a couple of mine to inspire you!! The last 2 were purchased from Padre Pio in Sydney.

John

[Hornet]

some nice tree's there jester. Check out this pic i came across the other day
http://www.google.com.au/imgres?q=mame+ ... 128&ty=119

[shibui]

Lots of good advice there bonzi,
You cannot water to a schedule. In cooler weather or when its rained they need water less often. In hot weather they might need water twice a day or more often. A small pot needs water more often than a big pot, sheltered backyards need less water than an exposed location, etc, etc.. You must check the condition of the soil before watering and you need to know how the potting mix your tree is in holds water - a finer mix will dry out on top but still be wet underneath. A good mix will drain well so it will be difficult to overwater.
I have no problem with watering bonsai by dunking but only dunk it when it gets a bit on the dry side. Sorry, can't be more specific than that.
Like Mick I prefer to water with the hose or watering can but the water sometimes doesn't penetrate through the rootball so if I notice that a pot is looking a bit dry I dunk it to get it properly wet right through then back to overhead watering until it happens again.

I have never grown Serissa so can't give species specific advice.

[bonzi]

Thank you Shibui, Bretts and everyone else for your great advice. We really appreciate them all
We will take on your suggestions.

Jester > you have a really nice plant! what are those grey patches over the trunk?

Hornet > Thanks for the link! that miniature bonsai sure looks awesome!

Will try to get better shots of our bonsai and share them with you guys.

Cheers!

[Jester]

The grey patches are just pieces of healing cut paste for cuts that i had mate, that's all.

John