hugoafsantos
Newly Registered
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Jul 18, 2010 7:47 am
Location: Lisbon

Coop, The Fukien Tea

So the story of this beautiful bonsai specimen began (accordingly to the shop where I bought it) aprox. 5 years ago. 'Later on', three days ago I 'found it' because my dad was calling me to see these gorgeous 'little trees'. At that moment I was thinking: 'Oh... What he wants now?', rolling my eyes :roll: ,...
But then I saw her among all the others (quite brownish/yellowish 'bushes', twisted trunks,...) and (almost) instantly I knew it was perfect, named it Coop, and off she went to the market cart :) I didn't know exactly what she was, just she was a bonsai - and a beautiful one.
Later on, on the internet and with the help of this marvelous site, I've learned she's a Fukien Tea Bonsai - quite a tricky bonsai to take care of. So here goes some photos of her (first day and actual day - today I've cut out a big low-hanging branch, and some ugly yellowish leaves):

First day:
visit https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=28194

Third day (actual day):

[url=https://img843.imageshack.us/I/dscn0055.jpg/][img]https://img843.imageshack.us/img843/801/dscn0055.th.jpg[/img][/url]

[url=https://img830.imageshack.us/I/dscn0056.jpg/][img]https://img830.imageshack.us/img830/2246/dscn0056.th.jpg[/img][/url]

[url=https://img834.imageshack.us/I/dscn0057.jpg/][img]https://img834.imageshack.us/img834/4822/dscn0057.th.jpg[/img][/url]

[url=https://img844.imageshack.us/I/dscn0058.jpg/][img]https://img844.imageshack.us/img844/1284/dscn0058.th.jpg[/img][/url]

The deal is I don't really know what I'm doing, and I can't take the risk of losing this one with 'learning from (bad) experience(s)'.
So the details:

She's located at my room, near the window, which is almost everytime of the day, everyday mid-opened so the temperature doesn't rise or fall too much, and because of the wind. More... she came with a plastic recipient... I thought I could use it to water her - I put the vase she's on into the plastic 'basin' and then fill it with suficient water so the 'irrigation hole' of the vase gets in contact with the water surface. Is this the right way to water her?
More tips, follow-ups, and ToDo's would be apreciated.

Thanks in advance.

josh1812@live.com
Senior Member
Posts: 144
Joined: Thu Sep 17, 2009 3:12 pm
Location: Florida

GET THE POT OUT OF THE WATER ASAP!!!!! :!:

No bonsai should be watered like that frankly it will rot them to death, when its out let it dry a bit these trees seem to like to dry just a bit.
Last edited by josh1812@live.com on Mon Jul 19, 2010 3:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.

hugoafsantos
Newly Registered
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Jul 18, 2010 7:47 am
Location: Lisbon

Erm sir... The bonsai isn't being watered the way you're picturing it. It isn't permanently 24-7 in the water. That would be dummy... And I'm not that kind of person, ok?
And yes I know there are lot of information at the web. But the information can't answer simple questions sometimes, like the location (near the window is it good? too much windy?) where she should be at. If I can't try and ask for help this way, frankly, enlight me... IF I take your words literally, I can't see no use on this forum, as there are a lot of information on the web.

Note: I've read about fukien tea at the web... I just need to receive these informations from a REAL PERSON, a person with EXPERIENCE!

If it's too much to ask for... oh well, I don't know what to say.

josh1812@live.com
Senior Member
Posts: 144
Joined: Thu Sep 17, 2009 3:12 pm
Location: Florida

I didnt mean to offend you now that I read it again guess it kind of came on a bit harsh :oops:

Well anyways what I meant to say is that the internet provides many points of view that you can explore and learn about since care and positioning is not the same for everyone....

As for the watering I never implied that it was 24/7 but anyways the best way to water is to stick your finger in the soil and if it doesn't feel moist give it a nice soak in a tub of water completely submersing the pot untill you stop seeing bubbles or running water over top for a few minutes.

Again I'm sorry if I offended you :oops:

hugoafsantos
Newly Registered
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Jul 18, 2010 7:47 am
Location: Lisbon

It was harsh yes... and you totally asked for a (even) bitter-reply. But 'sticks and stones'. :)

Thanks for the tip, and I will try to be a little more specific on the next question (if it happens to appear in my mind, as now I'm a little 'burned' ahah).

Note: this post I made is just meant for the surviving of my bonsai to the first weeks... I just don't want to lose her, until I manage all the 'basic stuff'.

Off I go, to Mother-Internet 8)

linlaoboo
Green Thumb
Posts: 469
Joined: Sat May 22, 2010 1:15 pm
Location: NJ

looks like you got it all figured out. good luck!



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