Soil Mix for Fukien Tree

[Chisai Ki]

Hello, all!

If you have seen a few of my other threads, you know that I have a struggling Fukien Tea bonsai. The tree is potted in mostly pumice, with a bit of coarse sand, and just a pinch of organic material. Leaves are still dropping with some turning yellow and some going all the way to dry and brown. I am watering daily as the tree has been outside. I am wondering if the soil mix has enough material in it that will hold water long enough for the tree to absorb it. What do you think?

 

[Jrmcmich]

Did you recently change the soil to this pumice mixture? Just wondering if that’s the case if it needs some time to recover and adjust? Mine is very finicky and still has put out little new growth since it’s been outside and that’s been about a month other than cold nights brining it in.

 

[Chisai Ki]

Yes, I had it in a mixture that has decomposed granite and that held an incredible amount of moisture, but I repotted it about 3 weeks ago.

 

[Jrmcmich]

mine is in a deciduous bonsai mix that holds quite a bit of moisture as well and when inside over winter watered maybe once a week using chop stick to check moisture content. Now it’s outside so probably getting more water with rain. I plan to repot with a pumice/lava mix (50/50) which I hope will keep me from being able to overwater as this seems to work for couple other ones I have tried it on. I am waiting for it to gain more strength before I repot. Did you cut many roots or just do a repot changing soil? Seems like good to continue to monitor soil moisture and keep in sun with afternoon shade? Mine seems to be happy with sun till about 1pm and then more shade afterwards.

 

[SWfloirda]

I've had one since 2019. It is still alive but if it ever dies, I'll never get another one. I have it in Lava, pumice, stalite and 10% pine bark. I live in Florida, it's in full sun all year, watered once a day. It almost always has flowers but never truly looks very healthy. When it looks the healthiest it will suddenly be inundated with pests. I'll get the pests under control and it just seem blah with flowers.

 

[Attmos]

I've had one since 2019. It is still alive but if it ever dies, I'll never get another one. I have it in Lava, pumice, stalite and 10% pine bark. I live in Florida, it's in full sun all year, watered once a day. It almost always has flowers but never truly looks very healthy. When it looks the healthiest it will suddenly be inundated with pests. I'll get the pests under control and it just seem blah with flowers.

That is exactly my experience and I live in Ohio. I think what some say might be true, that they just don't really make good bonsai.

 

[Jrmcmich]

I’m in Ohio too and was checking mine today after this post and will say finally very green leafs and getting good growth. But as others say turns on a dime but is one of the trees I got I’m first year in hobby. Only my 3rd year this summer so still learning a lot

 

[Attmos]

I’m in Ohio too and was checking mine today after this post and will say finally very green leafs and getting good growth. But as others say turns on a dime but is one of the trees I got I’m first year in hobby. Only my 3rd year this summer so still learning a lot

Mine's gone through a lot of ups and downs, I'm pretty new too. But I decided to start encouraging real growth in it this year, so we'll see how it goes.

 

[revjpb]

I had a Fukien Tea who didn't last 3 years. It just slowly died and got worse and worse. It was a constant battle with aphids as well. In the end, it just wasn't worth it.

 

[Chisai Ki]

With some adjusted sunlight and keeping an eye on the watering, I think the tree is stabilizing a bit. Or at least the number of leaves falling has reduced quite a bit. The pumice and course sand is requiring more frequent watering, but appears to be holding far less moisture and allowing for more air.

 

[penumbra]

These repeated posts about the delicacy of Fukien Tea plants would dissuade me from getting one if I didn't have one that is flourishing. I have come to the opinion that they don't like to be messed with. Mine is in a standard small bonsai mix with some organics. Honestly, it has been so long since its last repotting that I can't remember the exact mix. Though I admit to a modicum of concern because I do plan on repotting this summer. Actually, I am looking forward to the implied challenge. It is one of a small handful of plants (all different) that has been raised inside from cutting with no natural sunlight, but pampered in all other ways including light but frequent feedings.
Originally, there were two of these cutting grown Fukiens. One of them slowly declined and the one that lived has flourished. What I have come to believe is that they love being pampered, as in fed, water, showered, constant light 14 hours a day, and pruned lightly, but resent being intruded upon.
This Fukien has been shown multiple time here, but here it is again. It is a bit untidy because it constantly flowers so it is covered with dead blooms.

 

[Jrmcmich]

With some adjusted sunlight and keeping an eye on the watering, I think the tree is stabilizing a bit. Or at least the number of leaves falling has reduced quite a bit. The pumice and course sand is requiring more frequent watering, but appears to be holding far less moisture and allowing for more air.

I’d rather have to Water more often than worry about overwatering due to soil holding too much moisture myself. Next time I repot I plan to use a lava/pumice mix and unsure if I will add any akadama yet or not