How to stimulate root development?

[Chisai Ki]

Hello, all! As you might know from my previous questions, I have a struggling Fukien Tea. It appears from how the tree moves in the soil that the roots are just not wanting to grow much and fill the pot. The soil is very gritty and drains well, and root rot does not seem to be an issue. I am fertilizing the tree weekly. I am speaking words of positive affirmation to the tree almost daily…. Is there anything I can do to stimulate more root growth to maybe help this tree rebound a bit?

Thank you!

 

[leatherback]

Hey,

First off, best to keep your questions on one tree in the same thread. I have absolutely no idea what your previous question was about, and I am not going to search the forum for it..

Then.. Fertilizing weekly is way to often, unless the tree is growing like ballistics. Too much fertilizer can stunt growth.
Get the tree back to health. Then roots will come too.

 

[MrBonsai19]

Is the tree flowering ? If it's not flowering then it is missing some of the ingredients to maximize health and you need to figure out why. Producing flowers is usually something you will only see if the tree is maximally healthy and has enough energy reserve to support the flowers or if the tree is on its last legs. Also not just producing flowers but sustaining them for more than 1 day. Sustained flowering is I think a great indicator of health and if you are at that point then I think you should try pruning to stimulate buds to elongate more and more top growth in spring will lead to more root growth in Fall. Although tropical trees don't stick to the spring/fall schedule as much as other trees, they do still cycle through periods of top growth followed by hardening off then focus on root growth. If you prune back and trigger more top growth then in the subsequent cycle you will get more root growth to complement that. But if you're not at a place where the tree is producing consistent sustained flowers, I think you would be better served by trying to improve the growing conditions.

 

[MrBonsai19]

This is my carmona and you can see it is very bushy and has flowers on almost every bud. The flowers do die off quickly but they are sustained for at least a few days and there are plenty of white fresh flowers along with the older ones.

 

[dbonsaiw]

It appears from how the tree moves in the soil

The tree should not move at all. Good practice to anchor the tree into the pot at repot. I have also anchored trees with wire on higher branches/trunk and fixed to the pot. Not sure what else is going on with your tree, but moving around may contribute to lack of roots.

 

[bwaynef]

If the tree isn't stable, that's the first order of business. I recently heard if the tree is moving, its dying. There may be exceptions, but the point has merit. Ideally you'd secure the tree in the pot at repotting time. Outside of repotting to properly anchor the tree, You'll have to concoct something that will anchor the tree to the pot. The Japanese often tie seedlings in along the exterior of the pot*. You could also run some guy wires thru the drain holes and tie to a couple branches to secure the tree.

* Here's a complicated-looking explanation (ignore the --. They're there for formatting):
(Looking down at the top of the pot)
--1
3 x 2
--4


Starting at 1 at the top edge of the pot, go to the left side of x, then over to 2. Then take the twine under the pot to 3. Then above the pot, pass the twine along the top of x and down to 4. Then pass it under the pot and tie it at the edge of the pot at 1 again. (X is the tree.)

Its much easier to do than to type out.

 

[rockm]

Hello, all! As you might know from my previous questions, I have a struggling Fukien Tea. It appears from how the tree moves in the soil that the roots are just not wanting to grow much and fill the pot. The soil is very gritty and drains well, and root rot does not seem to be an issue. I am fertilizing the tree weekly. I am speaking words of positive affirmation to the tree almost daily…. Is there anything I can do to stimulate more root growth to maybe help this tree rebound a bit?

Thank you!

If the tree moves in the pot rooting will be difficult. The new roots tips are rubbed off as the tree shifts in the soil.

The tree SHOULD BE WIRED TO THE INTERIOR OF THE POT to prevent it from moving and shifting. This is basic repotting procedure

 

[Chisai Ki]

I assume moving with even a slight breeze outside is too much, correct?

 

[leatherback]

I assume moving with even a slight breeze outside is too much, correct?

why?
Too much what?

 

[rockm]

Too much torque on emerging root tissues. The new root tips can be brittle and easily removed. A good wind that pushes the tree can move it enough to rub those emerging tips off and the tree has to start over.