Kyoto Serissa Bonsai #03

The Kyoto Serissa (also known as Serissa foetida or Serissa japonica) is a popular bonsai variety known for its delicate appearance and beautiful flowers. Here’s what you should know about this specific Serissa variant:

Key Characteristics

1. Foliage: Kyoto Serissa typically has smaller, more compact leaves than the standard Serissa. The leaves are a vibrant, glossy green, making them ideal for bonsai displays.

2. Flowers: It blooms with small, star-shaped white or pinkish flowers, often in abundance, especially during spring and summer. The Kyoto variety is renowned for its prolific flowering.

3. Bark: The bark is light brown to greyish, which can develop an interesting texture and gnarled appearance over time, enhancing its aged look.

Care Tips

Light: Prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate some direct sunlight. Be careful of intense summer sun, which may scorch the leaves.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid waterlogging. Serissa is sensitive to changes in watering schedules, so maintaining a stable routine is key.

Soil: Well-draining bonsai soil is essential to prevent root rot. A mix with organic matter, akadama, or pumice works well.

Temperature & Humidity: Thrives in moderate temperatures (around 15-25°C) and prefers higher humidity levels. It is sensitive to cold drafts, so protect it during winter.

Styling as Bonsai

Kyoto Serissa is popular among bonsai enthusiasts due to its naturally small leaves and fine branches. It is commonly trained in styles such as:

Informal upright

Slanting

Cascade

The compact foliage and consistent flowering make it an eye-catching piece, especially for indoor displays.

33cm from the bottom of the pot

Photo date: 11 Nov 24