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Though known best as Carmona microphylla, the most up to date designation for
the Fukien Tea Tree is, Ehretia micropylla (buxifolia). Native to Southeast Asia, this
evergreen shrub is commonly used for gardens and hedges in warmer climates.
Dark green, toothed leaves are borne in clustered from buds all over the tree,
and tiny white flowers will adorn it all year round given the right temperature
and humidity. If pollinated, the flowers will turn into tiny red, cherry like fruit
with a single seed in the center. Smaller leafed varieties are more likely to fruit
than larger leafed varieties. Bark is a greyish brown with raised, almost wart like
elevated areas. The foliage is dense and energetic, growing from just about
anywhere on the tree, new shoots emerging after pruning from the base of other
leaf stalks.
Fukien Tea trees have a reputation of being difficult to grow- with good reason!
They dislike rapid temperature changes, rapid light changes and require a high
humidity to do well. Often without grow lights or a humidity tray, growing them inside is difficult, and they can
only tolerate outside temperatures in summer warmth. They have a tendency to drop their leaves when insulted,
but given the right conditions can make very handsome bonsai.
Hardiness: Keep above 60 degrees. Fukien trees do not tolerate lower temperatures, and will die if caught in a
frost. Sudden drops in temperature will result in yellowing leaves and subsequent foliage loss.
Light: Good light but out of direct sunshine indoor especially. Needs only a good solid hour of full sun indoors,
provided good indirect light from a southern or eastern exposure for the rest of the day. Otherwise, providing
grow lights is beneficial. Outdoors can tolerate more, but does best with either full morning sun or mid-late
afternoon sun only, not full sun all day.
Soil: About fifty-fifty organic to inorganic. Fukiens require a well draining medium, but are tolerant of soil
composition otherwise. They can live in both 100% inorganic, or 100% organic- provided it is a well draining
organic mix. Do not allow soil to become impacted or continually water logged, both of which will lead to root rot.
Watering: Do not keep boggy, but Fukiens have no drought tolerance and cannot be allowed to dry out
completely. They do however benefit from allowing the soil to mostly dry between waterings.
Fertilizer: Water well before fertilizing to avoid possible chemical burn. Low nitrogen or balanced fertilizer all year
round, once every two weeks, or at half that strength every week, while growth is strong. Reduce feedings in
winter if growth slows down, to once a month. Too much nitrogen will reduce flowering.
Pests and Diseases: Aphids, scale/mealy bugs, root mealy bugs, spider mites. Powdery mildew without proper air
circulation and occasional blackspot. Occasional fungal infections. Fukien teas are sensitive to many chemicals,
Diazinon is particularly toxic to the Fukien and should not be used. Test any new insecticide on a test leaf or
branch. Wait seven days. If the leaves have not yellowed or blackened and died, it is likely safe to use on the rest
of the tree.
Repotting: Every two to three years. Do not feed until new growth has started, and keep soil just moist, not wet,
for two weeks after repotting.
Pruning and Styling: Branch pruning and trimming can be done at any time of year. Remove all unwanted shoots
and buds on the trunk and branches to focus the energy of the tree back into the desirable parts. Cut back new
growth to one or two leaves. Use the clip and grow method by pruning back to a leaf which is facing the direction
you want the new branch or shoot to grow. A new shoot will emerge from the base of the leaf stalk. Fukiens will
respond well with backbudding to serious pruning, but large wounds do not heal well. Plan to incorporate any
larger wounds into the planned design of the tree, or hide them. Keep foliage pads thinned, as overgrowth here
will result in dieback further back within the tree, due to lack of light and poor air circulation. Removing flower
buds as they grow may encourage stronger growth in the trunk and branches.
New growth is straight and rigid. Wire while still green, as thicker, woodier branches can be nearly impossible to
bend without breaking.
Propagation: Cuttings root well from green or semi-green stems.
Styles and Forms: Informal upright, slanting, curved trunk, exposed root
Cultivars:
Other Information: These trees can be kept indoor all year, but benefit from time outside in the warm days of
summer. Make sure to acclimate it slowly, placing the tree outside in the early morning sun for an hour the first
day and longer each subsequent day. Too sudden exposure to the sun will quickly dry out the leaves and dessicate
the plant.
To encourage flowering, maintain temperatures between 68-86 degrees F and spray with tepid water once or twice
a day, depending on how dry it is.
Fukien Teas will happily grow all year round if given the right conditions. They do not apparently need a period of
dormancy or even of slow growth like many other indoor bonsai will exhibit.
Leaves naturally have a bumpy texture with occasional grey spotting. This is normal and not a sign of infection.
the Fukien Tea Tree is, Ehretia micropylla (buxifolia). Native to Southeast Asia, this
evergreen shrub is commonly used for gardens and hedges in warmer climates.
Dark green, toothed leaves are borne in clustered from buds all over the tree,
and tiny white flowers will adorn it all year round given the right temperature
and humidity. If pollinated, the flowers will turn into tiny red, cherry like fruit
with a single seed in the center. Smaller leafed varieties are more likely to fruit
than larger leafed varieties. Bark is a greyish brown with raised, almost wart like
elevated areas. The foliage is dense and energetic, growing from just about
anywhere on the tree, new shoots emerging after pruning from the base of other
leaf stalks.
Fukien Tea trees have a reputation of being difficult to grow- with good reason!
They dislike rapid temperature changes, rapid light changes and require a high
humidity to do well. Often without grow lights or a humidity tray, growing them inside is difficult, and they can
only tolerate outside temperatures in summer warmth. They have a tendency to drop their leaves when insulted,
but given the right conditions can make very handsome bonsai.
Hardiness: Keep above 60 degrees. Fukien trees do not tolerate lower temperatures, and will die if caught in a
frost. Sudden drops in temperature will result in yellowing leaves and subsequent foliage loss.
Light: Good light but out of direct sunshine indoor especially. Needs only a good solid hour of full sun indoors,
provided good indirect light from a southern or eastern exposure for the rest of the day. Otherwise, providing
grow lights is beneficial. Outdoors can tolerate more, but does best with either full morning sun or mid-late
afternoon sun only, not full sun all day.
Soil: About fifty-fifty organic to inorganic. Fukiens require a well draining medium, but are tolerant of soil
composition otherwise. They can live in both 100% inorganic, or 100% organic- provided it is a well draining
organic mix. Do not allow soil to become impacted or continually water logged, both of which will lead to root rot.
Watering: Do not keep boggy, but Fukiens have no drought tolerance and cannot be allowed to dry out
completely. They do however benefit from allowing the soil to mostly dry between waterings.
Fertilizer: Water well before fertilizing to avoid possible chemical burn. Low nitrogen or balanced fertilizer all year
round, once every two weeks, or at half that strength every week, while growth is strong. Reduce feedings in
winter if growth slows down, to once a month. Too much nitrogen will reduce flowering.
Pests and Diseases: Aphids, scale/mealy bugs, root mealy bugs, spider mites. Powdery mildew without proper air
circulation and occasional blackspot. Occasional fungal infections. Fukien teas are sensitive to many chemicals,
Diazinon is particularly toxic to the Fukien and should not be used. Test any new insecticide on a test leaf or
branch. Wait seven days. If the leaves have not yellowed or blackened and died, it is likely safe to use on the rest
of the tree.
Repotting: Every two to three years. Do not feed until new growth has started, and keep soil just moist, not wet,
for two weeks after repotting.
Pruning and Styling: Branch pruning and trimming can be done at any time of year. Remove all unwanted shoots
and buds on the trunk and branches to focus the energy of the tree back into the desirable parts. Cut back new
growth to one or two leaves. Use the clip and grow method by pruning back to a leaf which is facing the direction
you want the new branch or shoot to grow. A new shoot will emerge from the base of the leaf stalk. Fukiens will
respond well with backbudding to serious pruning, but large wounds do not heal well. Plan to incorporate any
larger wounds into the planned design of the tree, or hide them. Keep foliage pads thinned, as overgrowth here
will result in dieback further back within the tree, due to lack of light and poor air circulation. Removing flower
buds as they grow may encourage stronger growth in the trunk and branches.
New growth is straight and rigid. Wire while still green, as thicker, woodier branches can be nearly impossible to
bend without breaking.
Propagation: Cuttings root well from green or semi-green stems.
Styles and Forms: Informal upright, slanting, curved trunk, exposed root
Cultivars:
Other Information: These trees can be kept indoor all year, but benefit from time outside in the warm days of
summer. Make sure to acclimate it slowly, placing the tree outside in the early morning sun for an hour the first
day and longer each subsequent day. Too sudden exposure to the sun will quickly dry out the leaves and dessicate
the plant.
To encourage flowering, maintain temperatures between 68-86 degrees F and spray with tepid water once or twice
a day, depending on how dry it is.
Fukien Teas will happily grow all year round if given the right conditions. They do not apparently need a period of
dormancy or even of slow growth like many other indoor bonsai will exhibit.
Leaves naturally have a bumpy texture with occasional grey spotting. This is normal and not a sign of infection.
Fukien Tea Tree (Carmona microphylla)
Fukien Tea. Tree property of Golden Bonsai