Fukien Bonsai dry leaves

[PaulineG]

Hi I’m new to growing bonsai so please bear with me, I bought a Fukien tea Bonsai from a garden centre just after Xmas this year, it was in the sale with just a few leaves on it. The soil was extremely dry so I guess it hadn’t been watered over the Xmas period, I repotted it in the correct bonsai soil and when I took it out of the pot it was Completely pot bound, I tidied up the roots and repotted it. My question is that the leaves look dry and a big crumpled but they are firmly on the tree, new leaves are coming through but are the same. I spray mist it every day and have moved it away from a cold window and it is now standing on pebbles. Is there anything else I can do. Also the bottom two branches at the very end have small newish branches formed but I don’t think they look very nice pointing straight up, should I trim these off or should they stay? Thank you

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Probably best to leave all branches on it right now until you know what is alive. Fukien tea is notoriously fickle and a very challenging tree to keep happy inside. Probably needs water every few days, and it’s best to set it in the kitchen sink, and use the faucet sprayer to lightly water the surface, let it percolate, water again until it seeps through, and then a third time to ensure all areas of the soil are wet and water is flowing out of the drainage holes on the bottom of the pot.. Let it drain, and repeat every few days,

Don’t be too disappointed if it dies, replace it with a ficus or scheffelera if you have to keep something inside. Chinese elms are easier and can live outside year-round in all but the coldest climates.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I wish I could offer you better advice. This is the one tree that has defeated every attempt I have made to keep it. Most recently I had one for three years, gave it good care, and on the third year it suddenly died on me for no reason that I could ascertain. Even in Southern California, where I could keep them outside all year, they would look great for a year or two... and then suddenly die. Continue to do what Brian recommends in terms of watering, and let's hope for the best. But in the interim, I would point you towards other species that are much more forgiving - depending on whether you are looking for a tropical tree that you keep indoors during the winter, or a tree that will thrive being outside all year long.

(Picture of my last Fukien Tea, which I bought at a Home Depot. Looked great... until it didn't. I won't buy another one.)

 

[rockm]

Sorry but I’m going to go there… judging from the withered wrinkled bark on the main trunk and shriveled leaf buds and the soil condition I think this tree is probably dead

Keep it around for a few weeks though. Don’t over or under water. Keep it in a bright place. It may surprise you with new leaves. I wouldn’t be too optimistic though. As said this is a difficult species.

 

[PaulineG]

Thank you for your replies, there are new leaves coming through but they come out looking withered, let’s hope that with your advice Brian I can keep it alive, if it improves and flourishes I’ll share a photo of it