Premna serratifolia receaves varied support as a bonsai. I have two of them and will see what I can do now that I am sure of the species that I possess.
I had heard that it has distictive smell of the leaves that distinguishes it from Mulawin aso. With that I read to take a leaf and crush it in the plam of your hand and if it smells then it is PUSA. Well, I did that and got really no smell that I could identify. The other day on my first wrokshop I pruned a plant and I can tell you the smell is very noctieable when the plant is pruned. It is strong and slightly pungent.
I also received some materials Surot but they were Preman serratifolia.
I also pruned my ASO, get it? No smell for the ASO.
Handles heavy pruning very well. Has small glossy leaves and fast tapering trunks. Leaf reduction with pruning can go from 10cm to just 1-2 mm in size, or so its said.
It is possible to use as a trunk and grafting another material to it.
Premna serratifolia
- Core Identification & Taxonomy
- Scientific Name: Premna serratifolia
- Common Name: Mulawin Pusa, Headache Tree, Coastal premna, Shou Niang Zhi
- Family: Lamiaceae.
- Varietals: Smelly, really smelly
- Habitat/Range: Southeast Asia, Australia, and Africa
- Morphology & Characteristics
- Growth Habit: Tree; irregular or crooked growth, deadwood patterns
- Leaves: Green and jagged eedges. Supposedly a pungent smell.
- Flowers: Small yellow or white flowers.
- Fruit/Seed: Sometimes tiny dark fruits.
- Stem/Bark: Light beige textured bark, often include deadwood.
- Growth: Fast
- Bonsai Notes
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade 4-6 hours daily.
- Water Use: Abundant water.
- Soil Mix: Akadama, Pumice, Lava Rock
- Fertilizing: balanced solid fertilizer every 4 weeks during the active growing season (spring through autumn), or liquid weekly. Reduce or stop feeding during the dormant period or after a heavy repotting.
- Styling and Maintenance
- Pruning for Ramification: Regular pruning is essential. Once 5-6 pairs cut bask to just 1-2 to reduce leaf size
- Defoliation: Partial or full leaf pruning can be used to reduce leaf size, making the tree appear more proportional as a miniature.
- Wiring: Branches can be wired year-round, but monitor the wire closely may scar if the wire “bites” in during periods of fast growth.
Gallery images
Firstly, we are uploading pictures of our plants to show the parts of a plant that may help in identification. Secondly, we only have so many plants and my phhtography skills are not actually skillful. Finally, if it would help to see another angle or view, send us a message and we will attempt to get the right picture perspective.
