Fukien Tea Work

I just repotted my fukien tea, and I'm wondering if I should be doing any top pruning to go along with it, or just leave the top to grow? thanks

I usually do a top/foliage reduction proportionate to the root work...but the tree will balance itself if you don't. It will drop the leaves it cannot support or grow roots to compensate.

My fukien usually drop most leaves when messed with anyway (just relocation can trigger it) but I haven't done root work on it yet.

I was just wondering because I dont want to remove foliage and prevent the feeding it will need to grow new roots. Or is this just bad amateur thinkin on my part?

When you repotted, did you prune any roots? Or did some of them get taken off in the process of repotting? If not, then there is no need to do anything to the top part. If so, then it's sometimes best to take some of the top back to compensate for the fewer roots that can feed the top. And this way you get to decide what parts get taken off. Instead of the tree deciding for you.

Fukien tea may loose leaves when repotted either way, so be prepared, just know that most times they'll come back. They are fussy, but tough.

RichKid said:

I was just wondering because I dont want to remove foliage and prevent the feeding it will need to grow new roots. Or is this just bad amateur thinkin on my part?

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You got it right but as Judy said...you can gamble that way and potentially loose a much needed branch or make the decision yourself. Also...as I said, it depends on how much roots was removed (thus the "proportionate" part of my reply).

They are easy when in proper environment but could be temperamental when it is altered. I have one that is sulking right now having been moved from outside into the garage. I am actually worried since it looks very weak... a complete opposite of what it was (very healthy) last month.

Good luck with yours!!!

Well it was a gift given to me two years ago. My first "bonsai" ever. My wife bought it from a bonsai specialty retailer and it came in a nice pot etc. So I assumed, which I know you should never do, that the soil it was in was ok. The tree just wasn't thriving and I dropped it into the sink, on accident, and the pot cracked in half. Thus the repot. I had never repotted before or root pruned, although I have spent months researching everything I can about the art of bosai for the past two years. I have several books, and have been collecting wild trees as well as purchasing in anticipation of this spring so I will have some material to work with. Was planning on learning to root prune then. But when the pot cracked it became evident why the tree wasn't thriving. It shoots leaves flowers out constantly. Even this morning I came down and it was shooting out lots of little leaves and flowers after being repotted last night. The soil was complete crap, the only good component was the little bit of bark, the rest was rock hard peat. Cleaning the crap soil out of the roots inevitably led to some root loss, and seeing that the pot it was going into was smaller than the original, I had to trim back some roots anyway. I haven't trimmed the top at all, but a while back before I repotted I took off a lot of leaves. They never grew back, which they usually do. Then this morning I noticed lots of new leaves and little flowers. Pinched the flowers off. Is this unusual?

Plants respond to stress in different ways. Some will try to prolifically bloom to propagate themselves before they die. Not that I'm saying yours is dying, but some plants respond this way to stress. I would keep pinching blooms, and do some trimming of twigs to keep dieback to a minimum while it recovers. Be extra careful about not overwatering during this period, as the tree will not uptake as much water with less roots. If you waterlog it now, it will be a larger problem as the remaining roots will rot.

BTW, trees don't produce leaves overnight, the leaves that you are seeing starting up now, are probably in response to your earlier pruning.

Thanks Judy! Would there be any tell tale signs of die back that I would notice early on? I have already removed all the blooms. Should I remove any leaves or just twigs? The thing about this tree is that most of the leaves I left are all on the ends of the branches. I defoliated the interior. I'm thinking if I cut branches I cut leaves, and thereby remove its ability to feed itself. Is that rational? And I know without being here to see you can't give me a definite answer, but how much top pruning should I be looking to do? I'll try to get a picture up ASAP. Thanks again everyone.

Here are pics. I don't think I overwatered. I watered well when I repotted to make sure the soil was settled and thoroughly moist with no pockets. But I haven't watered since. Its still moist though. This was all last night around 9-10pm

I hope you did not pay too much for this...Walmart sells similar for about $12.00

If this is mine, I will most likely cut most of the branches down to 1"-2" long and build from there. Some need to be removed totally. That said, now is not the right time so leave it be, it looks okay. Wait for spring.

Oh about that wire...it is an accident waiting to happen. Cut it!

Poink88 said:

I hope you did not pay too much for this...Walmart sells similar for about $12.00

If this is mine, I will most likely cut most of the branches down to 1"-2" long and build from there. Some need to be removed totally. That said, now is not the right time so leave it be, it looks okay. Wait for spring.

Oh about that wire...it is an accident waiting to happen. Cut it!

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Poink,
Like I stated above, I didn't buy it. It was a gift. Its not the best tree, but I love it for sentimental reasons. LOL I'm new to the hobby, I've done most of the requisite reading and research, but have little hands on experience besides light trimming. This was my first repot and root prune ever. So forgive my questions, but I like to hear from someone who has actually done it vs. what the books tell me is supposed to happen. So here we go. What would happen if I cut the branches back to 1-2"? What am I aiming for? Which ones would you remove? Is it possible you could do a mock up for me? I know time is valuable, and I understand if you don't have it to waste. But if you find yourself with a few minutes free, I would really appreciate the help.
Thanks a lot
Rich

I can definitely try to help.

If you want it done right, take 8 pictures taken from about the middle of the tree level against a plain background. Space it so you take 4 pictures from each side of the pot and 4 are from each corner.

We can help you choose the front and from there decide how to trim your tree. I am still a newbie (newer than you--only 13 months into bonsai) so it will be nice to see others thoughts. My opinion might be right or wrong (or right but not to your taste). It is very personal and our taste may be (very likely) different so take it with a grain of salt.

RichKid said:

What would happen if I cut the branches back to 1-2"? What am I aiming for?

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Fukien tea back buds easily so if it is healthy, it will produce shoots at the nodes close to the chop.

You are aiming to give your tree (each branch actually) character. Wiring can only do so much...esp on FT, clip and grow is better suited for it.

Well, I'm charging my cameras battery right now. Always dead when you need it! I have had this tree for two years, a christmas gift in 2010, but I haven't really done to much stuff. Like I said just now actually potted something, that wasn't wild collected, for the first time! I do have experience with actual (natural 60 ft+ tall) trees though. Did tree work for years. The funny thing about bonsai is that we are supposed to be imitating natural trees but there are all these rules. Every last rule of bonsai I have seen broken, more often than not, in nature. I guess it doesn't matter though. I actually collected most of my trees from peoples properties. I have a dozen or so Japanese maple seedlings, maybe 2 years old, still in original soil. I'm anxious, and scared to bare root them come spring and get them into some good mix. I also have a decent size tamukeyama from a landscape potted in the original soil i pulled up with it. Seeing how much work this little fukien was to clean the roots, I know its gonna be a ton of work. Has to be done though lol. Soon as I get the pics taken I'll get them up. I think I know which side I like for the front already though. (the side I like to look at it from! LOL)

Hi Kid.

I also live in Pa. and here's what I do. In the spring, when nighttime temps stay above 45 degrees, I put my tea outside and leave it there until fall. Full sun, fast draining mix, and plenty of water. When nighttime temps go back to 45 degrees, I bring it inside, put it near a window, watch all of the leaves drop off and wait for more to grow, which takes about a week. Let the flowers and berries be. They look nice.

I don't know about anyone else from this area, but in our climate these things take forever to grow. But I like them.

If I do any root or top pruning, I wait till the middle of summer when it's at it's strongest.

Good luck.

Bob

Thanks Bob. I do actually put it outside when it gets warm. This is the first repot I'm sure you read, and the mix is definitely now a lot faster draining. So this summer we will see how it goes. I was told by someone on this or another forum, that because its a tropical I can repot it whenever. I was on the verge of just taping the pot back together till spring! LOL But I guess can't cry over spilled milk. I will try your advice though. Mine has never had berries though, just the small white flowers.

Rich all the advice you are getting is great.
My personal experience with root pruning Tea tree is the two I have HATE it. They will drop all leaves and be unhappy for a while but always do come back. I don't fertilize till I see evidence of new leaves which sometimes isn't for a month or more for me. I keep the watering to a minimum also. Only watering when the soil is almost dry.

I now only do a minimum pruning to the roots when I do a repot just to keep it in the same size pot its in.

When healthy they do back bud everywhere. Often from the same place you remove a branch from. Yours does not look healthy as it has very little leaves. I would not prune anything off for a least a few months. Maybe even wait longer just so the roots have time to grow and strengthen the tree.

Thanks for the response Kev. I actually defoliated myself a while back trying to style it lol. I took all the leaves off everywhere except the ends of the branches. Bad idea I guess. Living and learning dude. It is starting to grow lots of new leaves, as usual. I guess we will see what happens. How often after a repot do you typically begin to see leaves fall off? Or branch die back for that matter.

Leaves for me will start to yellow after a couple days and fall off.

Kevster said:

Leaves for me will start to yellow after a couple days and fall off.

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okay. I guess I'll be watching for signs and symptoms.