Fukien Tea Tree Help?

bonsaichile

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Fukien Tea Tree 1.jpg Fukien Tea Tree 2.jpg Hi! I've had this little Fukien tea tree since July. I have done almost nothing to it, except repotting it into a little pot (it is a tiny tree, about 4 inches tall), changing the nursery soil for a well-draining bonsai soil (I used hoffman, sifted to get rid of the dust and sand). I have been watering and fertilizing it regularly, keeping it indoors. The tree does not seem to be stressed; in fact, it has blossomed three times since I got it. But what baffles me is that it is not growing. I can see some new leaves, but there are no new shoots extending anywhere. Any ideas as to how to make it grow a bit?

Thank you!
 
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Hi, better keep it outdoor, morning sun, watering fully before too dry, less fertilizing, sprinkle on foliage couple times daily....
 

sorce

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Pull the flowers off?

Welcome to Crazy Official!

Sorce
 

pitchpine

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It may not be getting enough light indoors ---do you have it under grow lights? My small Fukien Tea only puts out new shoots sporadically, usually in certain areas near the top. I usually remove the flower buds once they've extended enough to snip them off without damaging any leaf buds beginning from the same node.

I'd say make sure it's getting either several hours a day of direct sunlight or put it under grow lights. Then just keep doing what you're doing and eventually it will build up enough energy to push some new growth. Also, once you get more leaves on the tree removing the extra large ones seems to stimulate new shoots. But it doesn't look like you have any outsized leaves right now.

Laura
 

bonsaichile

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Thank you everybody for your advice. I have not been removing the flowers, maybe the tree is expending too much energy in them. I will try to make sure it gets enough light and just wait and see what happens. Also, if anyone has any advice as to how to style it, I would appreciate that too!
 

bonsaichile

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Yeah I have some solid advice for styling, don't ;) You can't style a dead tree, always go for health first. Maybe next year.
Thanks, Cypress! I probably meant how to develop it further, rather than style it :)
 

RickMartin

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First off Fukien teas are real slow growers. They won't grow like a ficus will. The tree looks pretty healthy, but I would just let it grow out for a couple of years. This is still a very young tree. A couple of years and it will throw shoots. As far as styling when you do. Clip and grow. Wiring these trees doesn't work well. For now keep doing what your doing and let it grow. Oh and don't let it get under 50 degrees.

Rick
 

bonsaichile

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Thank you, RickMartin! I will be patient with it. I have been keeping it as an indoor tree, to protect it from our Colorado weather!
 

petegreg

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I have been keeping it as an indoor tree, to protect it from our Colorado weather!
So have I. East-facing window sill, supported by some fluorescent T5 light November to March. It grows fine for me, a few flushes of growth in all season. Clip and grow, or better grow and chop if you want a bigger tree. Watch for aphids, they like FTs.
I've got few more FTs from this parrent plant acquired from cuttings and air-layering. They are placed randomly where the place for them is and I cannot see any difference in their development, leaf size, internodes... They hate the heat from the heating...

edit: OK, as for your Q... Some trees grow roots first after repotting and then followed by new visible growth.
 
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bonsaichile

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Thanks! Since it is a very small tree (4 inches tall), I keep it in a book shelf where it gets a lot of sunlight in the mornings. For now, I will not try the growth lights, I think. I will wait and see, and post more pictures when something happens :)
 

bonsaichile

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Thank you, Steven. Those are beautiful trees indeed! But I think I will pass on trying any kind of lights. For me, this hobby is an opportunity to do something low-tech. I will stay away from anything connected to the electric grid! :)
 
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