THE FUKIEN TEA TREE BONSAI

A GUIDE TO THE CARE AND CULTIVATION OF THE FUKIEN TEA TREE BONSAI

Bonsai is not about making a tree small, it is about making a small tree look big.

Bonsamika

FUKIEN TEA BONSAI: AN INTRODUCTION

Bonsai are the miniature trees, made to emulate the beauty of the natural environment. Fukien Tea is a tree whose bonsai are often made due to its appealing structure. Making bonsai is an art that has caught people’s interest over a long time. The Fukien tea is said to have originated in Southern China and its name is said to have come from the Chinese province of Fujian. Let’s take a closer look at this amazing tree before getting into the maintenance instructions for Fukien Tea Bonsai.

The tree trunk develops a light brown bark and starts out thinner than desired for bonsai when it’s young. But the trunk turns a light gray color and develops an attractive cracked and knotted appearance as the trunk thickens slowly and the plant ages. The plant has small leaves and bears white or pink flowers. If provided with the optimal environments, this oriental plant can bloom almost every month of the year. The blooms turn into tiny green or red or black round fruits which resemble a miniature rosehip.

ESSENTIAL CARE TIPS FOR YOUR FUKIEN TEA BONSAI- As different plants have different needs, just like that the Fukien Tea tree bonsai also has specific preferences. Keeping in mind the special needs of this bonsai would help the grower to achieve the desired results. Here are a few tips to take care of your Fukien bonsai:

PROPOGATION OF FUKIEN TREE FOR BONSAI GROWING

The Fukien tree bonsais are usually created by propagation of Fukien tree plants rather than selecting a mature tree and training it into a bonsai. 3 ways are used as the propagation methods:-

1- Air Layering– This is the most common method to create new bonsai trees. For air layering, remove a bark ring from a mature branch of the tree. This is done in order to interrupt the flow of water and nutrients. For encouraging root growth, apply rooting hormones like auxin to the wounded area. To provide a conductive environment for root development, the exposed area after the bark is removed is generally covered by moist sphagnum moss. Then wrap the moss with a plastic to create a humid microclimate around the wounded area and to lock in the moisture. In a course of several months, the roots will start to emerge from the wounded portion. The branch with new roots can be used as a parent plant, once a healthy root system develops.

2- Root Cuttings– This is a straightforward process to propagate new plants from the existing ones. During the active growing season, choose softwood shoots from the Fukien tea trees. It is important to look for shoots that are healthy, vigorous and free from the signs of disease or damage. A cut is made just below the points on stem where leaves emerge (called nodes) using a sharp and clean pruning shear. Leaves from lower two-thirds of cutting are removed, but a few leaves at the top are kept to support cutting during the process.

Removing of the lower leaves prevents the cutting from rotting in the rooting medium. The cut end of each cutting is then dipped in a rooting hormone powder or gel that usually contain auxin to stimulate root growth. The cuttings are then inserted to a depth where at least one node is covered in a rooting medium. The medium usually contains of a mixture of perlite and peat moss. The rooting medium should be moisture retentive and well draining . The cuttings are then placed in an indirect sunlight having a warm and humid location and are covered by a clear plastic bag.

The cuttings are misted properly to keep the rooting medium moist and to maintain high humidity levels. Within a few weeks, new roots should start emerging from the base of cuttings. The cutting can then be acclimated to normal growing conditions and this helps in propagation of new plants for bonsai cultivation.

3- Via Seeds– For this method, it is necessary to have fresh seeds from a fully ripened fruit. In order to facilitate germination, soak the seeds in water for almost a day. Then sow the seeds in a well-drained bonsai soil mix. Avoid burying the seeds very deep. The germination can take place in several weeks and it is imperative to maintain the moisture levels of the soil.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT POT FOR YOUR FUKEIN TEA BONSAI

Bonsai pots in the market are available in a wide varieties ranging from small accent pots to larger training pots. The pot should have sufficient drainage holes to prevent water logging and root rot. The pots are available in different materials as well like ceramic and clay pots, plastic and wooden pots. Ceramic and clay pots are durable, give an asthetic appearance and are able to regulate soil moisture so they are a popular choices among the bonsai cultivators. Wooden pots on the other hand provide a rustic and vintage appearance but need additional maintenance to prevent rotting.

Traditionally rectangular and oval pots are popular choices but one can definitely opt for shapes according to their own personal taste and likings. A complementary tray along with the pots can enhance the overall presentation of the bonsai while providing practical usage like catching excess runoff water.

PLACEMENT OF THE BONSAI

For the proper growth of the bonsai plants, it is essential to keep the plants in a correct placement. The Fukien tea tree bonsai can flourish well in warm climates when kept outside with proper care, but commonly it is considered as an indoor bonsai. If kept inside, it should be placed near a window that receives abundant natural light. In the summer, spring and fall seasons, it is beneficial to keep them outside, so that it can get elevated light levels. However, the night temperature usually falls, but if it falls below seven degree Celsius, it is advisable to bring the bonsai indoor in order to protect it from the cold.

During the winter season, bring the bonsai indoor to prevent damage from cold temperatures. A south-facing window location is preferred. Also, when the daylight hours are limited, a plant lamp can compensate for the natural light and can provide additional light. So, by ensuring the proper placement of bonsai in different seasons we can ensure the health and vitality of our bonsai.

WATERING YOUR BONSAI

The plant requires frequent watering in the growing season (Spring and Summer). The frequency of watering should be reduced during the cold weathers (Autumn and Winter). In cold months, water should be provided only to keep the root ball from drying out completely. The Fukien species are sensitive to fluorides, so if your tap water contains high fluoride levels, then consider using filtered or distilled water for watering. Always water according to the needs of the plant and not on your fixed schedule.

PROVIDING NUTRIENTS TO YOUR BONSAI

Young bonsai, need stronger root and faster growth, the development of vegetative parts is not a priority at this stage of their life. So, a fertilizer with low nitrogen and high potassium content should be applied. Slow releasing solid fertilizers should be preferred because they supply nutrients at a steady pace over time thus decreasing the chances of root rot. Solid fertilizers are applied directly to the soil surface and the roots absorb the nutrients with each watering. In the active growing season, the bonsai has increased nutritional needs, so they should be fertilized every two weeks. In autumn and winter, the bonsai’s growth slows down, thus the need for nutrient supply also decreases, so fertilizer application should be done once in a month only.

MAINTAINING THE DESIRED SHAPE OF YOUR BONSAI.

For maintaining the desired shaped and to ensure the healthy growth of your bonsai, the pruning process is indispensable. This process should be done at least once in an year, especially during the spring season, when the plant is emerging from dormancy and starting with its active growth phase. For pruning, trim the shoots back to two to three leaves this ensures growth of new compact foliage canopy and leads to the creation of denser and finer branch ramification. Branch pruning which includes the removal of old or mature branches is also suggested to increase the visual appeal of the bonsai. In order to avoid infection to the plant, always use clean tools for this process. Avoid too much pruning at once and the most crucial thing to keep in mind is to never damage the bark of the plant during this process.

WIRING YOUR BONSAI

Wiring is a fundamental technique to maintain the shape of your bonsai. Preferably, an aluminum alloy wire should be used for this. The aluminum alloy wires are flexible but strong. This property of the wire will allow you to shape your bonsai without causing damage to the plant. The old branches may be brittle and require gentle handling, but the young branches are more pliable and are easier to wire and bend. For the wiring, first secure one end of the wire to the base of the trunk leaving enough room for movement and growth. To provide optimal support and shape, wrap the wire around the branch gently at 40-45 degree angle. One should be careful while wrapping the wire, as it should not be tight. If the wiring is tight, then it would impede the flow of nutrients and restrict growth. Long-term wiring should be avoided as it may increase the chances of damaging the trunk and root system of the bonsai plant.

CHANGING THE POT OF YOUR BONSAI

Repotting is another crucial step for maintaining your bonsai. Ideally, the Fukien tea tree bonsai is recommended to repot every two years during the early springtime. This time is chosen to help the plant recover from the stresses after repotting. For repotting, lift the plant from the initial pot, ensuring that the root ball is not excessively disturbed. Prune a few roots around the edge of root ball to encourage finer root development and to remove any root damaged by root rot. Keep in mind to not remove more than ten percent of the root mass. Then place the plant in another pot, preferably larger than the previous pot and add a soil mix that includes Akadama, little humus and pumice. Ensure that the root ball is stable after adding the soil mix. Water the plant regularly and apply a layer of moss to prevent soil erosion. After repotting it is essential to monitor the bonsai for any stress and ensure its proper care.

POTENT DAMAGING ELEMENTS TO YOUR BONSAI

Look for small, round waxy bumps on the trunk and branches of the bonsai. These are the insects that can cause the leaves to turn yellow which would further disrupt the visual appearance of the plant. They can be removed by rubbing alcohol and by natural insecticidal soap. Another pest that can infest your bonsai can be spider mites which produce fine webs on the under surface of the leaves causing the yellowing of foliage. They can be controlled by regular misting and wiping.

Furthermore, look for disease symptoms as well. If the bonsai shows symptoms of wilting, foul odor and yellowing of leaves, then there might be the chances of root rot which could have been caused by overwatering the plant. The only way to deal with this is to provide water when the top soil is slightly dry and by ensuring proper drainage of the applied water. Another disease can be the fungal infection caused by the fresh wounds on the plant. Try to use clean tools to prevent the potent fungal infections.

Taking proper care and following these tips will help you to succeed in your endeavor of growing a bonsai.