My first Tree-Fukien Tea

vgj5 · White Belt Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 2 Location: Alabama

I recently purchased a young fukien tea tree (my first bonzai) and am looking for some starter tips on caring for it. Can anyone give me tips on pruning, training and especially repotting? Thanks, GJ

Stymie · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 5:44 pm Post subject: Re: My first Tree-Fukien Tea

Hiyah GJ.
This one isn't hardy in temperate climes. It does like bright conditions but beware of direct midday sun. It must be kept between 15C (60F) and 24C (75F). This is most important all year round. Make sure of a moist medium at all times, watering less frequently during winter when growth almost stops. A humid situation is best.

Re-potting should be carried out on alternate years in early spring.

Pruning during the growing season means trimming back to two or three leaves, giving preference to the one facing outward or downward, on growth which has developed six to eight leaves.
I would allow a month's adjustment to your conditions before giving a dilute feed at two week intervals. After the end of September, reduce this to six week intervals. I hope that this will give you the right start, please come back as often as you wish with any specific questions.

Dick · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 3:18 am Post subject: Re: My first Tree-Fukien Tea

Hi VGJ5

Congratulations on your first bonsai! But be careful. It can become addictive! Wink

Welcome to the forum. Ask any information or participate in any discussion threads as you like. You will receive a reply to all questions. No question is too simple or too frequently asked. They all receive a serious reply.

The basic advice that Stymie gave you is good for starters. More can be said, but the fukien tea is a fairly easy plant to grow even indoors as long as it has a good light source (e.g. a south or west facing window) and good even moisture all the time. So knowing when to water is critical for a good healthy plant.

In the A-Z section Stymie has written a much larger piece specifically for fukien teas, but this is available to registered members only. I hope that if you are not already a registered member that you will consider it. It's highly recommended and there are far more discussion threads that go on with the registration.

Good luck with you fukien tea and may it live long and prosper.
Smile

vgj5 · White Belt Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 2 Location: Alabama

Thanks guys, that info is very helpful! I'll post more when I get some more trees. I'm planning on finding some baby cedars, cypress, oaks, and pines on my hunting land and bonsai-ing them as well. I'll be back with more questions. Thanks again.
GJ

Dick · Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 11:33 pm Post subject: Re: My first Tree-Fukien Tea

Before digging them up now, remember that this is not the best time to dig up trees in the wild. Springtime is best, but it also can be done after the first hard frost.