New to bonsai

ecj2015

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

Hey there. I am relatively new to indoor plants although a quick learner. I bought what seems to be a Fukien Tea Bonzai and would like some advice please, I understand not the best for a newb but hoping I can do whats required for it to live long and healthy. I live in South Florida and want to know if the plant would prefer sitting outside than indoors, outside being warmer, more humid and more sunlight. If a balance between outside during day and inside at night is helpful or not. I can avoid direct sun outdoors by waiting for the first few hours of each day. Am I better off just leaving indoors, near a window (never getting direct light but still good light)?Direction say to water thoroughly and allow to dry between waterings. It been several days since I purchased and the soil I bought a moisture meter and the soil is reading over 10. Some of the smaller leaves are browning and not sure if its stress from the initial move/purchase, shock from me moving it between indoors and outdoors several days a week, or from the soil being too wet for too long. What am I do wrong and what I am I doing right? I do not have a humidity tray for it but I can get one if encouraged, was hoping being outdoors would suffice but perhaps counterproductive. Better off leaving indoors 24/7 with humidity tray? Thank you very much.

Featured Answer

User

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

It will not be happy at less than 50 F (at best), it does love humidity, but that doesn't necessarily mean deluges unless strongly established in a garden setting, so some protection might be a good idea - small pot is not 'the garden', and it does love sun, but again common sense in extreme conditions is called for... it's from Viet Nam or close by, so think hot, humid, etc. consistently. Get rid of pebbles... no use and can keep you from gauging dryness, etc. And no moss - it competes for water if anything, and can attract unwanted pests.

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Comments (8)

halocline
11 years ago
Can you show a photo of the tree & the soil it's in?
ecj2015
Original Author
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago

It seems to be doing quite well. The flowers dont seem to last longer than a couple days, didnt know if thats normal. New leaves are forming and not many at all are browning/dying. The soil is still moist, thinking about waiting until closer to end of the week or early next to water again with very light fertilizer (miracle grow foam) in the water, or should it be much drier before watering again? Seems like the pot is big enough but I'm only guessing, don't really know.
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coppice
11 years ago
if those rocks are glued on they imperil your tree. A fukien tea is an outdoors tree in Florida.
ecj2015
Original Author
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Ok, I can keep outside if I really should do so. Any reason in particular (Temp/Humidity/Direct-sun)? Nothing I can re-create indoors near window? The pebbles are semi loose, not rock hard stuck together. Should I completely loosen them or get rid off completely? Any better alternative I should consider? Thanks.
halocline
11 years ago
What type of soil is under the pebbles?

H.
ecj2015
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks guys, very informative, much appreciated. I have a moisture meter so at least if I do decide to keep pebbles, these or another type, I am not doing it with blinders on. Moss comment is a good point, FL pretty humid anyway so also think its more decorative at this point, pest remark makes sense. Not certain about the soil, I suppose whatever the grower/potter decided to use? Not opposed to changing the soil and/or base if you think it would benefit, current pot/base has hole for drainage. I read changing soil every 2-3yrs or so as the soil loses nutrients over time which makes sense, so not sure if I was better off with fresh batch now since they probably used cheap stuff or wait? If you suggest I do it now, what type of soil would you recommend, and would you recommend light cutting-back of the roots at that time? Also, any idea how much growth I can expect? I'd assume more growth would come from branches and not as much from trunk, am I correct to assume that? I suppose thats where the pruning comes in and we can probably just cross that bridge when we get to it. Sorry for so many questions but I refuse to fail at this, I'm enjoying this process. Thanks again.
halocline
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I agree, lose the pebbles & moss. I expect under that, you will find a peat based "potting soil" or a lightweight organic mix.? Try gently, lifting the tree (by it's trunk) out of the pot, keeping the roots & soil intact, check to see how root bound the tree is, & the condition of the roots. then gently place the tree back in the pot. If the soil & roots look ok, and not in need of an immediate re-pot, then keep it as is. Your first goal is to let the tree acclimate to it's new environment, don't do too much, too fast.

The Fukien Tea comes from the Fujien provenance of southern China. It can be a very finicky friend. so... If you have a good place to put it outside, then do so. Make sure to harden off the tree (gradually introduce to direct sun light). Bring it indoors if the temp drops below 50 F (as mentioned above) In spring you can expect fast growing leader branch's. FT's don't like wet feet, let the soil dry a bit between watering's.

Ok soil... Ultimately you will want to transplant your tree into a "bonsai soil" type medium. A well draining, well aerated mix. For example: 1 part Turface, 1 part grit, 1 part pine bark fines. It's important that what ever you use, one or two of your ingredients should have good water & nutrient retentive properties. when using this type of mix, you will have to adjust your watering habits because it will dry out much faster. FT's don't tolerate hard root pruning, don't take off more than 10-20%. As far as shaping your tree, you can wire, but for the most part, FT's respond well to the clip & grow method.

For more information on soils & watering, click here [https://www.houzz.com/discussions/container-soils-water-movement-and-retention-xxii-dsvw-vd~2842847[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/container-soils-water-movement-and-retention-xxii-dsvw-vd~2842847) This will also lead you to links about fertilizing etc...

Rob