Are you looking for an easy-to-grow indoor tea tree bonsai species? Then, check out the Fukien tea bonsai.
This particular species is popular among beginner bonsai enthusiasts because it’s low-maintenance and offers refreshing sets of flowers and fruits—that can brighten up your bonsai garden or collection.
If you’re interested in cultivating one…
Read on to learn:
- Natural habitat and growth habits of the Fukien tea tree.
- A comprehensive care guide of Fukien tea bonsai trees.
- Ways to propagate a Fukien tea tree for bonsai growing.
- And a lot more…
What is a Fukien Tea Tree?
Leaves, flowers, and fruits of a Fukien tea tree.
| Botanical name: | Ehretia microphylla, carmona retusa, carmona microphylla |
| Family: | Boraginaceae |
| Tree type: | Broadleaf evergreen shrub |
| Foliage type: | Simple with a whorled pattern |
| Growth habit: | Upright |
| Native habitat: | East and Southeast Asia |
| Distinctive feature: | Round, leathery leaves with white dots and fine hairs |
Fukien tea tree bonsai, also known as Carmona or Philippine tea tree, is a subtropical flowering evergreen shrub native to East Asia and Southeast Asia. Its name, “Fukien,” comes from its place of origin—Fukien or Fujian, China.
In nature, it can grow as a small tree up to 9.8 feet tall (3 meters high) upright in warm climates.
This tree species is popular for its knotted trunk and grayish-beige fissured bark that adds old age and drama, which also complements its small, leathery dark green leaves with white dots and fine hairs. Depending on the variety, some of these small round leaves have dented or notched tips.
Warning: These lovely dark green leaves are mildly toxic to humans and pets. Ingestion can cause mouth or stomach irritation and vomiting.
If growing in favorable conditions, a Fukien tea tree can bloom small, star-shaped, white flowers year-round. These flowers appear in clusters of two to six on short stems.
Then, in early summer, those small delicate blossoms turn into tiny round berries similar to miniature rosehips. These berry fruits are about 4 to 6 mm in diameter and contain a stone core with up to four seeds. Depending on the age of the fruit, it can appear green, red, or black.
Growing Fukien Tea as Bonsai
The Fukien tea tree is one of China’s most popular penjing specimens. Likewise, it’s commonly cultivated as an indoor bonsai in the West for various reasons.
Note: “Penjing” is an ancient Chinese art from which bonsai art originated.
For once, the Fukien tea or Carmona bonsai tree is a fast-growing species that can easily develop a thick, knotted trunk—essential for growing a classic bonsai. In addition, its small leaves can retain their size as they grow and develop fine ramifications.
Compared to other flowering evergreen species, a Fukien bonsai tea tree is much easier to train and maintain as bonsai due to being adaptable and low-maintenance.
Propagation
You can propagate a Fukien tea tree between spring and summer for bonsai growing either by:
- Sowing seeds
- Performing air-layering
- Rooting softwood cuttings
Depending on your method, it can take up to 10 years before your specimen can grow into a pre-bonsai material ready for bonsai training.
If you want to practice bonsai cultivation techniques early on, buy a young bonsai tree from your local garden center.
How to Care for a Fukien Tea Bonsai Tree
The Fukien tea tree is an easy-to-grow flowering bonsai tree species, perfect for novice bonsai artists.
If you want to grow one successfully, check out this Fukien tea bonsai care guide:
Quick general care guide for Fukien tea bonsai trees:
- Positioning: Thrives indoors in temperate climates and outdoors in warm climates.
- Watering: Water generously once the bonsai’s soil dries up slightly.
- Feeding: Fertilize regularly during the growing season—between spring to autumn.
- Pruning: Prune shoots back to two to three leaves once a year.
- Wiring: Can be wired all year round, but best after pruning for convenience.
- Repotting: Repot every two years during springtime.
- Overwintering: Provide winter protection once the temperature drops below 60°F (15.5°C).
I. Positioning
Depending on your region, your Fukien tea tree bonsai can be grown indoors or outdoors.
In regions with temperate climates — indoor bonsai
Keep your Fukien bonsai tea tree indoors where the temperature and humidity are higher than outside.
However, you should still expose your bonsai to direct sunlight for at least one hour daily, as it needs lots of light to thrive and produce flowers and fruits. Hence, position it next to a window that receives natural light—preferably a south-facing one.
A Carmona bonsai thrives at 70°F (20°C). Suppose the temperature in the summer months is at that range or higher; you may temporarily move your tree to a partially shady spot outdoors.
In regions with warm climates — outdoor bonsai
Fukien tea trees naturally thrive in areas with high temperatures. Thus, your Fukien bonsai can be grown outdoors successfully in regions with very warm climates.
Position your bonsai outdoors where it can receive adequate sunlight daily—preferably morning sun and afternoon shade. Protecting your tree from direct midday sunlight is necessary, as harsh light can cause leaf burn.
Tip: If you can’t find a spot with afternoon shade, use a garden screen shade to promote a more gentle sunlight exposure on your tree.
II. Watering
A Fukien tea tree doesn’t like prolonged drought and excess wetness. Hence, you should keep a Fukien tea tree moist enough not to be rough dry but not too wet that the entire root system is drowning.
As a general rule, never water on routine but rather on observation. Water your bonsai tree only when needed—once the soil surface becomes slightly dry.
Watering Fukien tea based on the season
The water needs of your Fukien bonsai change as the season shifts.
Here’s how you should water your bonsai plant depending on the season:
A. In spring
As your bonsai tree actively grows, its water intake increases. Hence you should check on your tree at least twice a day.
Water your bonsai generously until the water runs out of the pot’s drainage holes. Do it twice to ensure that the entire pot is watered.
B. In summer
Water your Fukien bonsai at least twice a day—one in the morning and another in the late afternoon. You may also use a humidity tray, especially if you’re keeping it indoors, to keep the humidity high around the area.
Note: There are tons of humidity trays in the market. Choose one that is shallow and a meter wider than your bonsai pot.
Although you must water your bonsai more often during this season, avoid overwatering and sitting your tree in soggy soil for long periods—as this can cause root rot, which can eventually kill your bonsai.
C. In autumn and winter
Decrease your watering frequency during these months to avoid overwatering. Depending on the climate, you may only need to water your Carmona bonsai a few times a week or longer.
III. Fertilizing
To boost the growth of your Carmona bonsai, fertilize it throughout the growing season—from spring through autumn.
Since Fukien tea bonsai plants have sensitive roots, use slow-release solid fertilizers on your tree. Apply it at the soil surface of your bonsai, and let the roots absorb its nutrients every time you water your tree.
You can also apply liquid fertilizer to encourage root development. However, apply only the recommended amount and only in moist soil to avoid root burn.
Tip: Choose a high-potassium bonsai fertilizer for younger bonsai specimens to encourage stronger and faster growth.
IV. Pruning
Fukien tea or Carmona bonsai trees respond well to pruning, so trimming their leaves and branches shouldn’t pose any problems.
To encourage denser and finer branch ramification, prune your bonsai back to 2 to 3 leaves once each of its shoots grows 6 to 8 leaves. You can do this year-round, but best during the growing season while doing other bonsai cultivation techniques for convenience.
Note: Old, mature branches are hard and brittle. Thus, use appropriate bonsai tools, such as a concave branch cutter, when pruning your little tree to avoid preventable damage.
V. Wiring and Bending
Wiring your tree is necessary to maintain its shape and encourage balanced growth by ensuring that every part of it receives good sunlight.
The young shoots of Carmona bonsai trees are tender and flexible, which makes them easier to wire and bend. On the other hand, old and mature branches tend to be harder and more brittle, making them more vulnerable to damage.
Tip: To avoid breaking brittle branches, wrap raffia strips or rubber brands around the area you want to bend.
Use aluminum alloy bonsai wire when wiring your Fukien tea bonsai, and apply it tightly at a 45-50 degree angle for best support.
VI. Repotting
As mentioned above, the Fukien tea tree is a fast-growing species. Hence, it’s necessary to repot it regularly to prevent excessive root development within the small pot, which can suffocate the tree.
Generally, you’d have to repot your Fukien tea tree bonsai every 2 years or more during the spring. You’ll know when it needs repotting when the roots start circling the pot.
If necessary, do root pruning to control the tree’s growth, encourage finer root development, and remove damaged roots due to root rot. Use a sharp pair of bonsai root scissors to avoid damaging its sensitive root system.
Soil requirements
Before replanting it, use a fresh bonsai soil mixture. Choose well-draining soil with coarse substrates, like akadama or pine bark, to prevent overwatering.
VII. Winter Care
Fukien bonsai trees thrive in warmer climates, so they shouldn’t be exposed to temperatures below 60°F (15.5°C), or it’ll be detrimental to their health.
During winter months, protect your bonsai tree from cold or frosty air by moving it to an unheated room, such as a garage or greenhouse. If it’s indoors, closing the window may also be necessary.
If you’ve closed your window to protect your tree from cold, use a plant lamp and humidity tray to ensure that your tree will be kept nourished throughout the day despite the condition. Avoid placing it near heating systems as these appliances produce dry air, decreasing the humidity in the area.
VIII. Pests and Diseases
If not cared for properly, your Fukien bonsai can suffer from various insect infestations, particularly:
- Scales
- Whiteflies
- Spider mites
To treat them, use appropriate insecticides and apply them at the recommended dosage. However, to prevent them fully, provide your tree with the proper amount of natural light and water.
Conclusion
When cared for properly, the Fukien tea tree bonsai makes a stunning and graceful plant. Aside from its dramatic fissured bark, it produces flowers and fruits that add more color and life to the tree.
If you want to grow one successfully, just know the basics of bonsai cultivation; and in no time, you can have a beautiful, classic-looking Carmona bonsai tree.
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