Pre-bonsai assistance

[Novablackdog]

Hi-my first bonsai to try is a pre-bonsai Fukien tea tree (Carmona). I feel like the soil is not ideal, but I don’t want to stress it too much. I was thinking of putting it in a pot with new, better draining soil (I have akadama coming to mix with my other soil parts) is that a first good step or am I being “too” careful? Plant will be inside under good plant LEDs. iPad Air behind for size reference

 

[ShadyStump]

If you're growing it out more, don't worry too much about the soil. Until you're at a point of training nebari, or trying to achieve something specific, the soil doesn't matter as much as some people say.

Is there a particular reason you're planning on keeping it inside? Trees are trees, no matter how small. They need the sunlight and open air, just like the big one on the street corner.
I'm the last person to tell you you shouldn't try, but growing indoors can be tricky stuff, and there are more suitable species than Fukien tea.
I have no firsthand experience with Fukien tea, but I hear they can be finicky to begin with, earning them a rather obvious nickname.

Also, if you add your general location to your profile it'll help us know exactly what kind of climate you're contending with, and we can give more specific assistance.

 

[Novablackdog]

Inside mostly because I don’t get good sun and don’t have a safe/good surface to have it outside just yet. I live in western MT basically next to a mountain-hence limited sun. Basically I have a good timed setup inside already. The pot it is in is the nursery pot and it tips over easily-like a 2 inch wide tiny plastic disposable pot

 

[ShadyStump]

Ok. I'm in southern Colorado, so I know how this goes.
Still, bad outdoor light is 100 times better than good indoor light, generally speaking. You might keep it in a window with supplemental lighting, but if you can make it work, more power to you. Just be prepared for it not working, too.

It's almost time for tropicals, so you should be safe slipping it out of that pot and into something bigger, then fill in the extra space with your bonsai mix.

Hopefully someone with more knowledge of Fukien tea will be by soon to help out.

 

[Novablackdog]

Thanks-that’s what I was hoping to do this season. I can definitely get it some outdoor time if I plan it out. Especially if it makes that much of a difference

 

[Novablackdog]

Ok. I'm in southern Colorado, so I know how this goes.
Still, bad outdoor light is 100 times better than good indoor light, generally speaking. You might keep it in a window with supplemental lighting, but if you can make it work, more power to you. Just be prepared for it not working, too.

It's almost time for tropicals, so you should be safe slipping it out of that pot and into something bigger, then fill in the extra space with your bonsai mix.

Hopefully someone with more knowledge of Fukien tea will be by soon to help out.

Got my pre-bonsai gently put into a new pot. Gradually giving it outside time and watching it

 

[ShadyStump]

Looking good
Leave it alone the rest of the season. Maybe a light trim depending on how it grows, but absolutely nothing more until you're certain it's fully recovered from repotting.

 

[Novablackdog]

Thanks for the suggestions-really appreciate it!

 

[TrevorLarsen]

If I were you and had to grow inside I would read and fallow this article as much as you can. I also agree inside growing is not likely to succeed but it has been done successfully by one guy at least. http://www.fukubonsai.com/2b2a2a.html

 

[Novablackdog]

Thank you!

 

[Baku1875]

Thank you!

I don't see why it shouldn't work out as long as your supplemental light is strong enough. Definitely get your soil mix optimized to improve your odds, and be careful with overwatering!

 

[Novablackdog]

 

[Novablackdog]

I will grab a picture later, but I have transitioned this to being almost fully outdoors. Partner was also worried about it being blown off the table I placed it on. We get some pretty strong winds here. On the flip side, it looks good with new growth popping out.

 

[Novablackdog]

New pictures-lovely bright green new growth