Serissa or in the people "the tree of a thousand stars" is a tree-like flowering evergreen shrub plant from the Marenov family. The culture includes only one species "Japanese" serissa, which is native to China, Indochina, Japan. An individual feature of a tree is an unpleasant odor that is felt when branches or trunk bark are damaged. The height of the plant in its natural environment is about 80 centimeters, in indoor conditions - 20-50 centimeters.
The evergreen shrub consists of abundantly branching gray shoots and a lush crown, dense leathery dark green leaves about fifteen millimeters long, single white top flowers-stars. Serissa is distinguished by its ability to bloom throughout all twelve months, but it is especially active in the spring-summer period. In the course of many years of breeding work and testing, many different varieties of this crop were bred, which are endowed with their own characteristics and characteristics. They differ from the main species in color, shades and patterns of leaves and flowers. Varieties with double flowers and golden leaves have gained great popularity among florists.
Serissa care at home
Serissa as a houseplant requires special attention and care. Its full-fledged cultivation depends on the experience of the florist; it will be much more difficult for beginners to create the proper conditions in the apartment.
Location and lighting
Bright diffused lighting for 8-12 hours a day is necessary for serissa throughout the year. In the summer, the plant must be protected from the midday sun. It is recommended to place the container with serissa on the windowsills on the east or west side of the house. With a lack of light, the tree will not bloom, the leaves will begin to fall. This is why fluorescent lamps should be used during the fall and winter months to ensure adequate lighting throughout the day.
One of the difficulties in caring for serissa is its negative reaction to a change in the direction of the light source on the tree. It is so sensitive that when moved to another place, it can react by dropping leaves and unopened buds. Experienced growers advise not to rearrange or move the plant unnecessarily.
Temperature
The favorable temperature for full-fledged growth and development of serissa differs in different seasons. For example, from spring to late summer, the thermometer should be in the range of 20-25 degrees and it is good if the plant during this period will be kept in the garden or on the balcony. Small changes in temperature are not dangerous, the main thing is that it does not get colder to 10 degrees Celsius or less.
In the colder months, the plant needs a cooler room to thrive.
Watering
A sensitive plant and an incorrect irrigation regime can react negatively. Serissa does not tolerate overdrying of an earthen coma and excess moisture in the soil, and even more so stagnant water.Each subsequent watering should be carried out only after the top layer of the substrate (about 3-4 centimeters) dries out. Watering is not necessary often, but abundantly.
Air humidity
A constant high level of humidity is what a flowering serissa tree needs. You can maintain this level using various methods and means: a household steam generator, an indoor fountain, small containers of water and ordinary regular spraying. This is especially true during the hot summer months.
Pruning
Formative pruning helps create a bonsai-style arrangement and is well tolerated by serissa.
The soil
Experienced flower growers recommend choosing light, loose nutrient soils with a neutral pH level for growing serissa. The most suitable composition of the soil mixture: one part of peat and clay-sod land, two parts of coarse river sand. To protect the substrate from waterlogging and stagnant water, the bottom of the flower pot must be filled with expanded clay or other drainage material.
Top dressing and fertilizers
The frequency of feeding serissa in the period from March to August is 2 times a month with an interval of 2 weeks. In the autumn and winter months, fertilizers are applied according to the same scheme, if the tree is not kept in a dark and cool room. Do not forget about additional lighting during this period. No fertilization is required in cool winter conditions.
When using complex mineral dressings, the concentration of the finished solution is four times weaker than the instructions suggest. Serissa also responds well to stick-shaped fertilizers for Saintpaulias.
Transfer
Sensitive serissa tolerates transplantation normally. This procedure is performed as needed, but on average every 2-3 years. A favorable time for transplanting serissa is early spring. Usually, the tree is transplanted as the root part grows. If the roots do not fit into a new flower container during the transfer of the serissa, then you can carry out a small pruning of them. Connoisseurs of the bonsai style assure that such a "haircut" will not lead to any negative consequences for the plant.
Reproduction of serissa
The simplest and most common way to propagate serissa is by cuttings. For rooting, it is recommended to take non-lignified cuttings. They are cut from the tops of the shoots so that there are at least three internodes on each cuttings. Rooting takes place in a special loose nutrient substrate in greenhouse conditions. You can build a mini-greenhouse with mandatory bottom heating, which will contribute to the rapid formation of the root system.
Diseases and pests
A possible pest of the serissa is the whitefly. At the initial stage of the appearance of the pest, it is recommended to rinse the plant with warm water in the form of a plentiful shower. The water temperature is 40-45 degrees Celsius. This water procedure is carried out repeatedly. If the rinsing of the crown did not bring the desired effect, then you will have to use special chemicals - Aktara, Confidor, Aktellik.
Possible diseases are root rot and shedding of foliage. Rot appears when there is an excess of moisture in the soil. Signs of the disease are blackening leaves. The fall of the leaf mass occurs with a lack of moisture, rearranging the plant from place to place, in a room with dry air.
