My Fukien Tea is sick!

RotellaCapital · Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 3:32 pm Post subject: My Fukien Tea is sick!

I work in an office and we were given a bonsai by one of our Japanese clients in November. I believe the tree is a Fukien Tea (I've checked pictures and other Bonsai websites). It's got a thick, rough trunk, and it's leaves are small, smooth and green. It sometimes has tiny white flowers. The tree had no problems until about 2 weeks ago...

According to instructions, I've been watering it when it's dry. Generally, it's exposed to 70 degrees Fahrenheit and gets sun every other day or so, but mostly relies on artificial light.

But the leaves are drooping-- they're nowhere near as firm and waxy as they were before. There hasn't been any new growth, and many of the leaves are actually dropping off.

I fear perhaps it's been over-watered, but I am not eager to dig up and start chopping at the roots. Any ideas? Also, I have purchased a feed from Bonsai of Brooklyn. I know this will not bring a plant back from sickness, but will it actually HURT the plant?

Thanks for any help!

RotellaCapital

The tree in question---

One of my coworkers has been moving the tree into direct sunlight just about every other day. Is this a good thing, or could it be stressing the plant?

Also, I have pics I can send, but haven't been able to figure out how to post on this site.

Thanks again!

Dick · Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 4:49 pm Post subject: Re: My Fukien Tea is sick!

Hi Rotella,

You can't post photos on this part of the forum unless you are a full registered member. Then there is another section of the forum that accepts photos.

First of all, a fukien tea is a very good tree for indoor bonsai. However, it has particular needs for light and water. It should not be near a heating duct or a drafty place where cold air can bother it.

It needs a good source of light and can withstand full sunlight or partial shade. It needs to be kept evenly moist all the time and not let to dry out at all or else it will suffer. I suspect that your tree is suffering from that. Consistent watering, perhaps every other day, is better than waiting for when one might think that is sufficiently dry to water.

Also I suspect that it's dropping the leaves because it needs to be in a consistent place so that it can get acclimated to the environment in which it's supposed to grow. I would suggest placing it in the best lighted area possible and leaving it there. Right now, the movement back and forth from one place to another is shocking the tree. That could lead to a lackluster set of leaves as well.

Check out the A-Z forum on fukiens for more detailed information. All is not lost. These trees are pretty resilient and even if the leaves fall off, if it has not been too severely damaged by dryness, it should re-sprout with new leaves.

DO NOT FERTILIZE IT NOW, until it is back to it's healthy self. Fertilizer now will hurt it more than help.

Good luck and come back with any questions you might have.