How do I check for Fukien tea soil moisture level?

[BonsaiQueen]

Good morning!! I just picked up a 6 yr old Fukien tea from Brussels Bonsai and am having difficulty knowing how to determine soil moisture levels. By look and feel it appears dry, but I know it can’t be because I just watered it until the water came out of the drainage holes. I have shared a pic for reference. Any suggestions?

Also, please share any tips you have for caring for a Fukien tea! The nice gentleman at Brussels recommended that I fertilize weekly with the pro bonsai liquid fertilizer and said that it would not need to be repotted or have soil change for the next year or two. I was told that it will likely need watering every 2-3 days while it is indoors, although of course I know to check daily instead of using a schedule.

Also, should I move it outside once spring comes?

Thank you!

 

[BonsaiQueen]

Just figured this one out! I needed to dig my finger in a bit deeper. After doing so, I felt that it was moist. It's not the same soil as the soil used for my seedling, so there was a tiny learning curve.

 

[Carol 83]

Keep a wooden skewer/chopstick in the soil. If it's wet when you pull it out, don't water yet. I have gotten a couple trees from Brussel's. They were very healthy trees, but the soil holds a lot of moisture, compared to a coarser mix. Fukien Tea don't like being constantly wet, so careful with the watering. Give it as much light as you can while inside, and move it outside in the spring.

 

[BonsaiQueen]

Keep a wooden skewer/chopstick in the soil. If it's wet when you pull it out, don't water yet. I have gotten a couple trees from Brussel's. They were very healthy trees, but the soil holds a lot of moisture, compared to a coarser mix. Fukien Tea don't like being constantly wet, so careful with the watering. Give it as much light as you can while inside, and move it outside in the spring.

Thank you so much, @Carol 83! Will do!