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djlen
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I agree with Rosaelyn with regard to the moving. I would try to find the best spot for it and keep it there.
Also, I wanted to mention that you don't say where in Fla. you reside, but I lived in Hollywood for a while and the temps. during the winter got very chilly during 'cool snaps' on occasion so I would be careful if you get similar events in your area. And if you feel that you are due for cold weather you might consider buying one of those 'goose-neck' table lamps and putting a screw-in compact fluorescent bulb into it. A 28 - 30 watt CF screw in will throw the equivalent of 100w incandescent and will easily accommodate your tree.
In fact if I had only one or two trees that's how I'd keep them. A nice little stand with a CF bulb or two over them. Plenty of light.
Other than that the plant in question is really much more durable than you are giving it credit for....lol. Keep us posted on it's progress.

josh1812@live.com
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again another question I made my mix just perlite a bit of soil and pine bark and mixed it evenly If keep it in there its fine right just more water....right?

Rosaelyn
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Your tree doesn't sound like it is in water distress anymore. Make sure you're only watering it when it needs it. ;)

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djlen
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Josh, Fukiens like the soil to be just slightly moist, not wet. When the surface of the soil starts to feel just a bit on the dry side water a little bit at a time and wait until you see water coming out the bottom. That's plenty so stop there.
Then you should not have to water for a couple of days at least, if and when the surface feels like it's starting to dry.
I like to mist 2 or three times a day because they seem to like the misting.
My trees are indoors and I only water every 4 - 6 days when it feels a bit dry.

josh1812@live.com
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Is there a problem with it because all the leaves are yellowing again and turning an ugly brown color. Ill let it be for a week let it recover and post its progress.

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djlen
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I think that that's a good idea. I wish we could actually see the tree in person and see how the soil feels but I would say leave it where it is and let see how it does.
It really sounds like you've over watered it. Also, remember that you've only had it for a week or a just a bit more and my 'Tea' also lost some leaves when it was adapting to my location.
Good luck.

BTW, I just bought two trees from Miami Tropicals and am eagerly awaiting their arrival. I will post pics. when they get here.

josh1812@live.com
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Here are some pics I live in miami
I clipped all the brown leaves and is left with about 10 leaves per branch should I go for total defoliation or leave it as is?

I also noticed the trunks base is very very black.

[img]https://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Nero1997/20091020_2.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Nero1997/20091020_3.jpg[/img]
Last edited by josh1812@live.com on Tue Oct 20, 2009 5:01 pm, edited 4 times in total.

josh1812@live.com
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Here are some pics

[img]https://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Nero1997/20091020_2.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Nero1997/20091020_3.jpg[/img]

maveriiick
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I have no experience with this type of tree but apparently they are difficult trees to maintain.

The following was from the website under GROUP IV - Challenging, Difficult to Grow:

Fukien Tea (Ehretia microphylla) F,I,L ^
slow-growing; give lots of light, but not direct sun; likes heat and humidity, but don't keep too wet; repot in early to mid-summer; prefers Reverse Osmosis (R.O.) water; needs very good air circulation, otherwise can be attractive to scale insects: fingernail scrape off what scale you can; soap insecticides are said to cause defoliation of these trees, so be careful; said to also shed leaves if overwatered or underwaterd; will die if exposed to slight frost or even a cold draft. [Boraginaceae; Lamiales]

https://www.phoenixbonsai.com/PPlants4.html#GroupIV

josh1812@live.com
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OK I AM SO MAD RIGHT NOW AFTER ALL THIS WORK I FIND THE TREE UPROOTED AND MISSING 2/3 of its root mass is there anything I can do to MAKE IT GROW BACK

Rosaelyn
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I don't think defoliation is a good idea. I don't think your tree can handle anymore stress.

I think the best advice I can give is to leave it be.

Leave it where it is, don't remove anymore leaves, only water it when it is getting dry about an inch down into the soil.

Right now, I think your tree will do better with as little attention as possible.

Rosaelyn
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:(

Replace it in its pot with as little disruption as possible and keep your fingers crossed.

Sorry to hear, hun.

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djlen
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You know when I saw that tree sitting there outside I thought to myself, "I hope he doesn't have the problem with squirrels that I have. I hate them!!
They are responsible for so much damage and pain over my trees and my wife's plants as well.
I don't know if it was squirrels but whatever I totally know what you are going through now.
Josh, I snipped a longer piece off one of my Fukiens and just dipped it into rooting hormone, stuck it into the dirt and it's just started to grow.
I disagree totally with the idea that they are difficult to grow. You have invested so much time and emotion into this tree I hate the way things have turned out.
If it were my tree I would mix up some potting soil with some Turface or whatever you have handy to lighten up the soil and re-pot it, bring it into the house and set it near a sunny window temporarily.
I would go out asap and buy a shop light at Home Depot and put a 28 watt compact fluorescent bulb in it ( they are not expensive) and put it over the tree inside the house. Mist it 2 or 3 times a day and water lightly. If my cutting could sprout from nothing, your tree with some of it's root ball should be OK if you give it reasonable care.
I'm going to take some pictures of what I'm talking about and will get back shortly.

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djlen
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Here are some pictures of the lamps (about $7 at HD) that I'm talking about and also one of the Fukiens with the little cutting that has rooted.
This proves to me that these trees are not difficult at all and with just conscientious treatment will grow fine.
[url=https://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c145/djlen/?action=view&current=IMG_2625.jpg][img]https://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c145/djlen/th_IMG_2625.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=https://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c145/djlen/?action=view&current=IMG_2626.jpg][img]https://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c145/djlen/th_IMG_2626.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=https://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c145/djlen/?action=view&current=IMG_2627.jpg][img]https://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c145/djlen/th_IMG_2627.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=https://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c145/djlen/?action=view&current=IMG_2628.jpg][img]https://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c145/djlen/th_IMG_2628.jpg[/img][/url][/img]

Please excuse the mess.....just wanted to show you these. I hope you will not give up.

josh1812@live.com
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Here in Florida we have a larger stronger faster foe IGUANAS they are the culprit anyways, thanks for the support Rosaelyn and djlen I am going to take it to the nursery I bought it from they offered to inspect, spray, and fix what they can. Ill keep you posted with progress. :cry:

Oh and good luck on your new tree djlen

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djlen
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When you go to the nursery ask for Fred. Tell him you were talking with Len from NJ (I just bought two trees from him) and ask if someone can show you how to tell if you tree needs water. They will show you dry soil and soil that does not need watering.
This will help you determine whether to water or not.

Good Luck. They are very nice folks down there.

josh1812@live.com
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Its doing a bit better today I guess I decided to take the plant tomorrow I'm hopping for it too live what are the chances? :(

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djlen
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Definitely take it in and they will fix it up for you.
Have you decided what you're going to go for housing when you bring it back home?

josh1812@live.com
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I took it in today and strangely he said it was dried up not over watered! Anyways I will situate it in a place with direct morning sun and indirect filtered to screen the rest of the day on a large bonsai stand.

josh1812@live.com
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Good news and bad news
First thte bad news: I called today and they said it had gone through a lot of shock and would need a very long time to recover its original state if it eve survives

Good News: They will now let me pick one out my choice to recompensate!

What should I look for? How should I inspect and see which one is best?

japanpsyhic
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I myself would choose a Ficus. They can make gorgeous bonsai because they are sort of viney. They a tropical, and thrive beautifully in sunlight. They drink it right up. They also go a while without water. Not to mention, they do well with the branch to tree transplant/clone.
What you can do with them is cut off a 2-3" bit of branch. Then, you stick it in soil, and cover it with a clear jar. The jar makes it humid, a perfect environment for growing the beginning of a bonsai. I am doing this with my mom's non bonsai Ficus, and now have started my own from a branch clipping!
So, besides a Fukien, I would choose a Ficus. They tend to style them like this...
[url=https://img202.imageshack.us/I/ficusbonsai.jpg/][img]https://img202.imageshack.us/img202/2743/ficusbonsai.th.jpg[/img][/url]

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djlen
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josh1812@live.com wrote:Good news and bad news
First thte bad news: I called today and they said it had gone through a lot of shock and would need a very long time to recover its original state if it eve survives

Good News: They will now let me pick one out my choice to recompensate!

What should I look for? How should I inspect and see which one is best?
Josh - let them pick out a nice healthy one for you and before you leave with it make sure you understand how to see the signs that it either needs or doesn't need water.
Also, check out the set up they have their trees in and try to emulate that at your house in some way.
I personally would prefer to see you take it home and get a nice light for it and mist it as needed.
I'm having problems with what I believe is scale on my original Fukien tea.
The one I got from Miami Bonsai is clean and very healthy. I have to find a way to get rid of this scale cause the tree is going to fail if I don't.
I need to get it away from the other trees and find a safe spray for it, which will not be easy. They are very picky as to insecticides.

Rosaelyn
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I had some scale on my ficus. After removing the two I could see (I removed the leaves they were attached to as well, though this may not have been necessary), I gave it good spray with a Neem oil mixture (mixed per the directions on the bottle). I have seen no sign of scale since and that was several weeks ago.

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djlen
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Thanks Rosaelyn -

I found a product right here in the house called "Garden Safe Fungicide" and it's 0.9% Neem Oil. I worried all night as to how I was going to find Neem Oil.....lol. But we had this stuff right here. :)
It's a "Fungicide; Insecticide; Miticide" all in one product made by Schultz.
What a relief!!! The plant went from looking clean and happy in a matter of a day or two, to an infestation of these little white, unmoving things and the leaves were coated with sticky 'honeydew'. I know that Fukiens can be very finicky about being sprayed so I'm hoping I don't kill it with this 'cure'. :)
I will let everyone know.
They are so susceptible to all this stuff that I hope this will do the job.

I also wanted to apologize to Josh for hi-jacking his thread.

josh1812@live.com
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It seems there was a mistake when I went to go look for another bonsai found mine! It was beautiful an more pret
Last edited by josh1812@live.com on Wed Jul 07, 2010 3:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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djlen
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A happy ending!!

josh1812@live.com
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Wow I just looked back at his post and I just had a flush of memories and began to see how over time I seem to be getting a bit better :? at this. Well heres an update its growing in the ground to thicken the base hopefully 5-7 inches I know its a bit over ambitious but I'm prepared to wait and because of my location it might take around 3-4 years it was also fitted with a small pot around two large roots that fan out to try to stimulate downward roots to grow from it to create a neagari style I plan when lifted to cut back all the branches and regrow them from better placed areas.

[img]https://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Nero1997/20100707_9.jpg[/img]



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