Serissa and cold weather

[Mack_187]

G'day

Just afew questions about serissa

I've had 2 for about 5 years, and its the same thing every year. They get cold, sick, then I nurse them back.

Any tips for keeping them warmer and healthier through the winter besides bringng them inside ?

Or should i just move them on and accept that its too cold down here ?

Mack

[Jester]

Maybe seasol once a month and twice a month in winter. Should help build their resistance .

John

[alpineart]

Hi Mack_187 , i have had a Serrisa Foetida raft forest for 14 years and it froze solid this Winter gone . I also lost a client plant as well , exposed root over rock . The plants in the ground are growing very well so i would assume that pot grown plants have more chance of freezing the soil compared to ground ground material , temps up here are down to minus 5-6 degree's. If i was to try again i will use a much deeper container to prevent the shallow soil from completely freezing or move them under the pergola . Mine were in 25mm deep trays which freeze like ice blocks , then again its been the coldest Winter i have had to endure here . Definitely worth changing tactics and persevering with them .

Cheers Alpineart

[MoGanic]

You could wrap the pot with a black breathable cloth and surround the whole thing with an enclosure of Hessian which I know helps keep plants warm. I remember seeing somewhere a banana plant in southern aus being grown this way and it flowered!

[Mack_187]

G'day guys

Seasol sounds good Jester, will do !

Ian you've convinced me to keep them, thanks. Will upsize pots as one is fairly shallow. Just quickly the crabapple I got from you is in the ground going really good. Pics soon.

And cheers for that Mo, the hessian should help aswell.

All these tips should work well.

Thanks Mack