Dead Serissa?

[BensonP]

Hi guys!

Firstly please bear with me. I am completely new when it comes to anything Bonsai, but I am hoping to learn alot! They are fantastic!

Ok I'll get to the point.

I recieved this little guy for my birthday about 6 weeks ago. It was the cutest little thing with quite a few pink flowers on it.

Unfortunately, it seems that my Bonsai experience was over before it even began. I was watering him twice a day, and he was getting morning sun, but that hasn't stopped the flowers and leaves from drying up. I've just been misting him with a spray bottle a few times a day, as I feared I may have OVER watered him.

Does it seem that my bonsai has passed away?

http://imgur.com/a/8wbM3

Thanks in advance for all your help!

[Bonsaifan]

Looks like it's gone to bonsai heaven. Get another starter from tien (bonsai sensation) and re-use the pot!

[shibui]

Not sure what potting mix it is in but I find it hard to believe that you can kill a bonsai that quick by over watering in modern mix.

You may have been watering twice a day but have you been watering effectively each time and has it been every day? It is a bit hard to tell the difference between under watered and root rotted without having a look at the roots so i can't be certain but my gut feeling is that it dried out at some stage.

I do agree with Bonsai fan though. Get something a bit hardier and have another go. We've all killed at least 1 and most have seen the demise of quite a few on our bonsai journey.

[RevoEvoS]

Scratch the bark till you see green cambium,

[Daluke]

I'm pretty new to bonsai myself, but for what it's worth;

I have read that Serissa are very difficult to maintain;
When in shock they lose their leaves;
The are fussy when it comes to positioning-a slight change can shock them;
I've found watering mine in the morning and misting at night has gottenme good results;

Scratch a bit of bark off. If it's green underneath it has some life in it! I had one that looked worse... it sent out suckers but the trunk is yet to leave.

Good luck!!

[BensonP]

I'll have a look under his bark tonight for some green and will post back.

I will try make it to Bonsai Sensation in the next few weeks, but until then I'll go to my local Bonsai Joint.

Thanks for your help guys

[BensonP]

YAY!

I scraped through the bark a little bit and he is definitely green underneath!!

So....what do I do?

Do I get him some nice Bonsai food? Or continue to water him?

Thanks for the help again!

[Jarad]

correct me if I'm wrong guys: just keep watering and seasol...?

Make sure you don't water too much though. How moist is the soil?

Are the rocks glued on top?

[kcpoole]

Check the soil to see if it is either too wet or too dry.

If it stays moist thru most of the day then water in the morning and check in the afternoon only. if it dry in the arvo then water again.
3 times a week give a seasol dose and hope it comes good.

Ken

[Jarad]

For your future endeavors Rory posted the link below Serissa how to water thread If you haven't already read it.

Read this ->

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=18012

[BensonP]

Ok I bought some Seasol with Feed.

Could anybody with experience suggest a good ratio and how to best apply? I don't want to burn his roots!

Thanks

[treeman]

I scraped through the bark a little bit and he is definitely green underneath!!

So....what do I do?

Do now what you will eventually do anyway. Throw it away and get a juniper or something.

[Jarad]

Do now what you will eventually do anyway. Throw it away and get a juniper or something.

Hahaha.

Ok I bought some Seasol with Feed.

Could anybody with experience suggest a good ratio and how to best apply? I don't want to burn his roots!

Thanks

Follow the directions on the bottle (until someone else here tells you otherwise).

[BensonP]

Do now what you will eventually do anyway. Throw it away and get a juniper or something.

With all do respect, I'd rather not.

This tree has sentimental value and if rather spend the time and money trying to save it.

Thanks for the suggestion of another bonsai to get though!

[Jarad]

With all do respect, I'd rather not.

This tree has sentimental value and if rather spend the time and money trying to save it.

Thanks for the suggestion of another bonsai to get though!

Brilliant! Australia has some pretty sweet bonsai nurseries, so I would recommend googling to find the closest one or go here:

https://www.ausbonsai.com.au/directory/

I'd also spend the extra $$ and grab something that you can muck around with.