First Repot Did Not Go Well - Fukien Tea

[petegreg]

I think that growth was there before I did the work on it, but perhaps because it's still on the tree we have a good sign.

The photos I took were post removal of yellow leaves. Yesterday I had about 5-10 more yellow leaves. I removed the ones that were basically ready to drop off.

The tree is outside today and will now be staying outside under my bench where it will get some light but not much direct.

Good, watch the new growth and let it run free for a few months. I mean no pruning...

 

[Lobaeux]

Here's my Fukien Tea, need a better background. The tree is extremely hardy.

 

[KingJades]

For everyone following along at home, the decline has appeared to stop! The tree doesn't look noticeably any worse than it looked 3 days ago! I am definitely seeing some new growth, but still not sure if it's new growth post repot or prior to repot.

I'm starting to become optimisitic that I will have a live tree (just in time for me to bring it in for the winter and watch it drop all of its leaves again!), but it still is likely true that the decline was my fault on not developing the root base enough to easily support the bonsai pot. The upside is that there isn't much room for non-radial root growth so I'll probably get a decent formation over the few years until the next repot.

 

[bonsaidave]

I have one of these Fukien trees. Walmart special from 4 years ago! Mine drops some leaves if i dont remove some leaves during repottong/root work. This year I trimmed about 10% of the leaves (largest leaves) and the tree was popping new branches in less than a month.

I repot mine in summer. 95 degree texas heat this year. I keep it in the shade for about 7 days then its out to the bench. Watch for wilty leaves. If they get wilty it is probably getting too much sun/heat. Happend to me last summer. Moving it so it was shadded in the afternoon got it back in good health.

 

[Anthony]

The Fukien Tea, needs a freely draining soil, but it should also have the ability to hold moisture.
Placement for us is full sun, however it runs a little dry, the next step is to drop a few leaves.

Tried just 2/3 inorganic 5mm [ 1/2 of that is an inorganic that hold water in it's structure ] and 1/3 organic [ aged compost ]
However, the growth was nothing like when we had some peatmoss in the organic.
2017 we return to 1/2 of the organic being peatmoss.

Easy shrub to look after - remember I am in the TROPICS - just watch the watering.
You are aiming for a dense of leaf with a fat trunk shrub. Think domes. Like a Shimpaku.
All 3 types can do this well.
Get to the high density first, then begin to remove for negative spaces [ look up mango trees on Google ]
Good Day
Anthony

* Wounds heal poorly, best to draw designs and grow into shape, and if possible use ground growing or better
still - raised beds, so you can sit and train front on.

Young wood rots easily, has to age to 35 - 50 years for durability and then be treated for rotting.
Miami Tropical has older specimens, if you get really serious.
We have two from them.

 

[KingJades]

I'm starting to get my flowers back and push little leaves! I'm not much a flower dude but it's a pretty clear sign that my tree has finally turned the corner and has stabilized. Yellowing and leaves dying is pretty much done except a random leaf here and there.

Also, the little cuttings I took just before my repot both survived for 3.5 weeks now and appear to be elongating and putting on new growth so I think I technically have 3 Fukien trees now.

Thanks to everyone on here for the moral support!