Tree: Fukien tea
Age: 5 yrs
Height; 5-7 inches tall
Location: Indoors and near a window
Level: Beginner
Humidity tray and fertilizer strongly recommended
About this tree:
Imported from china this fukien tea, flowers many times and produces red berries. The flowers are white. Likes to be near a window and loves to be watered. Features: It is a very good choice for indoor or outdoor bonsai with its shiny,
oval, dark-green leaves and small white flowers which can bloom all year if
given the right conditions. The Fukien Tea tree produces small berries which
gradually change from green to orange to red. If kept indoors, make sure the tree
gets enough sunlight, without setting too close to the window, where sunlight
can be amplified and burn the tree. If your tree does not receive the proper
amount of sunlight, your plant will not produce berries. Also, the more
sunlight your tree receives the smaller the leaves will grow.
Your Fukien Tea Bonsai will grow best with consistent, bright, filtered light. Many people put their bonsai trees near a window where the light is filtered through a pair of sheer curtains. This plant does not tolerate low light, the leaves may become sparse or fall off. If the plant gets enough light, it can produce cute little white flowers throughout the year.
Water when the top of the soil becomes dry, then thoroughly drench until the water drains into the saucer. Empty the saucer if the water level is high so as not to drown the roots. Do not splash water on the leaves, this can cause stains. The worst thing you can do to your Fukien Tea Bonsai is to overwater it.
As a native to the tropics, your Fukien Tea Bonsai will appreciate you misting its leaves to increase humidity—especially when it gets very warm in the summer. Misting regularly also helps to keep the mites (damaging insects) from making themselves at home on the leaves.
The Fukien Tea Bonsai enjoys average room temperatures of 65-78 degrees. Avoid temperatures below 55 degrees, sudden temperature drops, or cold drafts.
USE OUR ORGANICS FERTILIZER. ONLY APPLY EVERY 4 MONTHS
Bonsai requires occasional pruning to keep its beautiful shape, maintain health, and discourage it from outgrowing its container. Spring, after new growth emerges, is the best time to trim your bonsai. Prune by clipping and shaping their tops (leaves and branches) and clipping and removing some roots. Clip excess growth to keep the shape of the plant. Remove leaves or stems that detract from the balanced look of the plant and any dried or yellow leaves. Pruning the roots may be necessary as the plant matures. To do this, remove the plant from its pot and trim larger roots. Make sure to keep many smaller roots with lateral and hair roots. This will help keep the plant from becoming root-bound.