with a systemic insec cide.

If inadequately treated them to grow for a year and once they are slightly
mealy bugs can become a chronic problem eventu- woody use wire to give the trunks movement.
ally weakening the tree and killing it.
And in the summer, you can use so"wood cu2ngs.
Fukien Tea Care
Scale also a acks this tree and can be detected
when the tree becomes s cky with secre ons. The
Stem cu2ngs root very easily. Use any cu2ng with
a green or so"wood stem and cu2ngs from vigor-
Sheet
secre ons turn black when colonized with fungus. ous plants increases the success rate.
Scale is directly recognized as brownish or black
Repo ng: Every 2-3 years, in early spring. Reduce
bumps on the twigs and leaves. Scale is easily dis- water a"er root pruning. Bo om heat helps s mu-
lodged from the branches with a fingernail and
late new root growth. For repo2ng, keep in mind
underneath is a so" tan or pink insect. Scale looks
that most Fukien Tea comes from China in clay.
different than the normal bumpy appearance of
Therefore, this causes compac ng, meaning the
the bark. tree’s soil would need to be replaced with a basic
Aphids are small so" insects located at the branch bonsai soil mix. The key here is to replace the clay
ps and are o"en accompanied and cared for by with soil gradually, avoiding unwanted stress. We
ants. Both insects can be treated with a mild soap recommend the bonsai be repo ed every two
spray available at plant nurseries. They can also be years in the spring as you see new growth. A good
mechanically dislodged from the branches with a soil for the Fukien is a freely draining bonsai mix
strong spray of water or removed with a Q- p made from pumice, lava rock, acadama or turface
soaked in rubbing alcohol. and some pine park to help retain moisture, mak-
ing sure that all ingredients are the same size. Fu-
Fukien tea is sensi ve to many chemicals including
kien is not fussy as to soil and is quite happy in a
standard indoor insect dormant oil treatment. Dia-
zinon is par cularly toxic to the Fukien and should 100% inorganic mix or even a well draining organic
mix. Do not allow the soil to become compacted or
not be used. Always test spray a single leaf or sacri-
the roots will rot.
fice branch and observe it for 7 days. If the leaves
do not turn yellow or black and do not fall off, it is Design and Styling: You can use literally any style
likely safe to spray the tree itself. on the Fukien Tea, regardless of size.
Before bringing any newly purchased tree into the There are several common varie es of Fukien tea
indoor bonsai collec on isolate the new tree. Use a available. They range from a small, medium and a
systemic spray each week for 3 weeks to prevent large leaf form. All the varie es require iden cal
introducing insects to the collec on and to be sure care. Fruit forms most readily on the small leaf vari- Brought to you by
the Fukien is rid of any hidden insects. ety and not on the large leaf variety. S & S Bonsai of Colorado Springs, Colorado
(Most of the included informa on is obtained from several
All the Fukien types have a bumpy, "sand-paper"
online sources.)
leaf surface containing small gray spots. This ap-
pearance is normal and is not the result of insect
infesta on.
Propaga on: To propagate the Fukien Tea, you
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if
want to sow seeds outdoors when ripe. Propa- you were to live forever.”
ga ng from fresh seed is very easy. Remove the —Mahatma Gandhi—
moist coa ng from the fruit, plant the fresh seed in
bonsai soil, and keep it moist. In one to 4 weeks,
small seedlings will poke up out of the soil. Allow
 The Fukien Tea other week from spring to fall, and then in the
winter, monthly. Use bonsai food or half strength
CARE plant food. Fukien tea does not like to be overfed;
(Carmona microphylla or Ehretia mi-
it is suggested to water well before feeding to
Temperature: Temperatures for the Fukien Tea avoid root burn. Feeding weekly has been report-
crophylla ) should be maintained between 60°F and 80°F de- ed with success - I would guess that frequency of
grees in the Summer. Ehre a prefers temperatures feeding can be increased as long as the strength of
General Informa on: The Fukien tea is one of the between 60°-72°F in winter, again this author has
most commonly used materials for indoor/tropical the food is kept diluted.
his trees in a winter greenhouse that gets to 48
bonsai. Part of its popularity is due to the plants degrees F at night. Now, if you take the Fukien Tea Pruning / Training: Because the Fukien Tea has
ready availability from discount stores, bonsai outdoors in the hot summer, you want to be very such dense foliage, you can prune it in the desired
nurseries, and many online sources. careful how you bring it back inside. We suggest shape without having to use a wiring technique.
It is named a"er the Fukien or Fujien province of you place it first on the deck or pa o where tem- However, as long as the tree is healthy, you can
Southern China from which the plant originates. It peratures are somewhat cooler, and then indoors perform a hard pruning at any me. Prune new
is most o"en listed by its old scien fic name of to avoid shocking the tree. It is quite sensi ve to shoots a"er six to eight leaves have appeared. The
Carmona microphylla but its most recent scien fic sudden changes in temperature and ligh ng. Fukien tea, unlike most tropical/indoor bonsai,
name is Ehre a microphylla (buxifolia). seems to grow con nuously with a slight slow
Ligh ng: Outdoors: The Fukien Tea tree needs down in the winter, but no dormancy. It is known
In its na ve land it grows as a small tree or shrub good, direct sunlight, but protected from harsh to drop some of it’s leaves in the fall, but not al-
to twelve feet in height. The tree is found from winds. For this, it is recommended good morning ways. It will usually retain a few leaves on each
India and Malaysia to the Philippines. It is very sun, protec ng it from a"ernoon sun when the branch to insure it’s life. When this does happen,
popular for bonsai in China, but not a tradi onal rays are harsher. Indoors:: Fukien Tea lives happily don’t panick, keep it in the sun but don’t over wa-
favorite in Japan. It is a member of the Borage in a bright window with south or east exposure. If ter it, just keep it moist.
family. the window has north or west exposure give the
tree supplementary light with a fluorescent bulb 4- Fukien Tea’s normal growth is quite straight and
The leaves on this tree are small, shiny, and dark s ff. Wire the branches while they are s ll green
6 in inches from the tree’s top for 10-12 hours each
green, covered with ny hairs. Together, the or just turning woody or use the “clip and grow”
day.
leaves form a dense and compact appearance. As technique to give the tree dynamic movement.
a young tree, the Fukien Tea has light brown bark Air: Ehre a does not like draughts. Old woody stems are nearly impossible to bend.
that begins to crack with age. Then in the early Watering: The soil should be cycled from moist to
summer months, this bonsai produces beau ful Fukien tea handles reduc on cuts with good back
slightly on the dry side. If the tree is allowed to dry budding but large cuts do not heal over. So plan to
but miniature white flowers, which then turn to too much the leaves will turn yellow and fall off. I
ny orange berries (on the small leaf variety only) hide or incorporate large pruning scars in the
have found it is best to keep the tree moist at all tree's design. These large cuts do not callus over
that turn to a black seed pod. mes. If you are using the correct bonsai soil (fast so place large cuts on the back of the tree or allow
Keep in mind that the Fukien Tea can be tolerate draining) there is no chance of root rot. Should the cuts to rot and form irregular hollows to integrate
with temperate regions but with great care. It leaves drop, keep the soil slightly moist but never with the design.
would need to be grown indoors when the con nuously wet. Replacement leaves will grow
nigh2me temps are below 50 degrees F. That back in several weeks. Frequent mis ng will dis- Insects / Pests: Par cularly fond of this tree are
being said, this author keeps Fukien in a heated courage spider mites. mealy bugs; white fluffy so" insects (like co on
greenhouse in the winter that gets as low as 48 candy), seen on the new branches and at the base
Fukien Tea also needs humidity, which can easily of the leaves. Red spider mites find this plant a
degrees F. and raises to a day me temp of 80 be provided using a humidity tray. Fukien tolerates
degrees and above. The Fukien has an undeserved special treat, and will a ack it over any other
home humidity levels but will be happier if the hu- plants in the area. Root mealy bugs prefer to live
reputa on of being a tuff bonsai to grow. Howev- midity is kept above 30%.
er, for bonsai enthusiasts who enjoy a challenge, on the roots and are impossible to see except
this makes an interes ng and beau ful choice. Fer lizing: You will want to feed this tree every when repo2ng. Root mealy bugs must be treated