How Long For New Leaves?

[RichKid]

Had my fukien tea drop its leaves after a repot, just wondering how long should it take for it to sprout new leaves?

 

[MrFancyPlants]

Depends on how warm you are keeping it. My willow leaf ficus defolited it's self due to spider mites and you could see all the new leaves coming in within a week. I had it enclosed in an aquarium with the heat and humidity up real high and a 50 watt led right on top of it. The most important thing is not to overwater a tree without leaves. You could try bagging it to boost the humidity.

 

[RichKid]

How would I bag it? Could I just Put a market bag over it or what? All my aquariums are full currently!

 

[Poink88]

My fukien tea usually sprout new set of leaves after a few days (well you can see the green buds at least). That is a regular re-sprout after shedding due to lack of water and not due to repotting though. I plan on repotting mine next month.

Not sure why you did a repot and in PA now. IIRC, roots like to stay around 65*F for optimal growth...below 45*F, no root growth.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

I think a clear bag would be preferable, but a plastic grocery bag would do in a pinch. Put it over the plant and fold it under the pot a bit to trap in the air.

There is some description of the process here just search for the word bag in the pdf, although the entire article is good stuff.

 

[RichKid]

I think a clear bag would be preferable, but a plastic grocery bag would do in a pinch. Put it over the plant and fold it under the pot a bit to trap in the air.

There is some description of the process here just search for the word bag in the pdf, although the entire article is good stuff.

Yeah great article so far, need to really read it thoroughly, but found the part about the bags. Really appreciate the help!

 

[RichKid]

My fukien tea usually sprout new set of leaves after a few days (well you can see the green buds at least). That is a regular re-sprout after shedding due to lack of water and not due to repotting though. I plan on repotting mine next month.

Not sure why you did a repot and in PA now. IIRC, roots like to stay around 65*F for optimal growth...below 45*F, no root growth.

Didn't want to, but it had been in the same soil I acquired it in for two years and it just wasn't draining. The leaves were yellowing, I just figured I had to do something. I was hoping since it was somewhat of a quiet period for the tree, not much growth happening, and that I was doing everything indoors out of the cold that I could pull it off. It was alright for about a week, then I missed a watering and all the leaves dried up and began to fall off. I eventually just took all the ones off that were hanging on, although they were dead, hoping that would cause it to grow some more. Im going to try this plastic bag method.

 

[GrimLore]

A semi- clear storage ctn would also work and if it "might" help to keep it at 50f or so - I know it can "take" 40f but just me...

 

[RichKid]

A semi- clear storage ctn would also work and if it "might" help to keep it at 50f or so - I know it can "take" 40f but just me...

I keep the tree indoors so its much warmer than that. As far as semi transparent, that was going to be my next question. Does light matter if the tree has no leaves?

 

[Poink88]

Does light matter if the tree has no leaves?

Normally it doesn't for deciduous trees...however, fukien tea is a tropical broad leaf evergreen.

 

[GrimLore]

I keep the tree indoors so its much warmer than that. As far as semi transparent, that was going to be my next question. Does light matter if the tree has no leaves?

I would toss one off those 11 dollar "plant light sticks" in it 16 hours a day - they only use 17w...

 

[RichKid]

I would toss one off those 11 dollar "plant light sticks" in it 16 hours a day - they only use 17w...

Where can I find one of these?

 

[GrimLore]

Where can I find one of these?

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Lights-of-America-24-Fluorescent-Grow-Light-Fixture/16879945

 

[bonsaibp]

The best thing you could do is to provide bottom heat- such as from a seedling mat. That will get the roots active which will in turn cause the top to get active.