Fukien Tea Bonsai

(Carmona microphylla )

The Fukien Tea is an evergreen tree from Southeast China. 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 produces small berries which gradually change from green to orange to red. If kept indoors, make sure he 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.

Pruning the branches can be done at any time of the year. You should pinch out the new shoots when they appear in undesirable places. You can wire the new growth on a Fukien Tea tree, being careful not to damage the tree and keep an eye on the wire to be sure the tree does not grow into it. Use the proper size wire for the branch. You can also use the pinch and grow method to train your tree.

Your Fukien Tea can be an outside plant if care is taken to keep it in full morning and mid-day sun, but don't leave them in the hot full afternoon sun. Your Fukien Tea is not a shade lover. Your Fukien Tea will do well in a screened patio, not so well on a screened in covered patio. Don't forget to acclimate your tree properly when moving , he can be shocked going from the air-conditioning to the hot outdoors.

Do not water your tree in the mid-day sun when his roots can be hot and the water too cold. This can also shock your plant. Your Fukien Tea prefers humidity and needs water, new leaves will turn yellow if he is receiving too much water. Any tree which is a confined to a pot should be fertilized on a regular basis, or as needed.

Don't leave your Fukien Tea outside in weather below 60 degrees. Fukien Tea's prefer tropical weather.

Your Fukien Tea was recently repotted. It is advised to repot again every 2 to 3 years. You should also trim the roots back. He can be repotted in the same pot. Your Fukien Tea can be grown in a quick draining premium potting mix, or you can invest in a good japanese soil, the choice is up to your personal preference. Make sure your pot drains well.