Fukien Tea bonsai

Fukien Tea Bonsai Care

Ehretia microphylla

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Zones 13, indoor. A small-leaved tropical shrub with a very dense, compact habit.

Boraginaceae (the borage family) · Tropical broadleaf evergreen shrub, kept as an indoor bonsai

At a glance

Type
Tropical
Leaves
Evergreen
USDA zones
13
Indoor or outdoor
Indoor-capable
Difficulty
Intermediate
Growth rate
Moderate
Buds on old wood
Yes
Styles suited
Cascade, Formal upright
Bonsai popularity
Tier 1

Close-up photo reference

Compare your tree against these to confirm the species and spot problems early.

Fukien Tea in flower
Flower, Forest and Kim Starr · CC BY 3.0 us
Fukien Tea fruit
Fruit / seed, Forest and Kim Starr · CC BY 3.0 us

Fukien Tea quick reference

USDA zones13 in a pot: only zone 13's winter lows of 60 to 70°F (16 to 21°C) stay at or above the 54°F (12°C) it should not stay below for any length of time [11] [15] [16]. In the ground: 10 to 12 (Plants for a Future, quoted by the Hawaii weed risk assessment) [8]; a potted tree comes indoors below about 55 to 60°F (13 to 15°C) [10]
Indoor / outdoorIndoor: traditionally an indoor bonsai [10], listed for indoor bonsai by Montreal Botanical Garden [9]; outdoors in summer while nights stay warm [10] [11]
LightSources differ: lots of light right next to a window [10]; full sun [13] [14]; good light but little direct sun [11] [12]
WaterKeep evenly moist, never waterlogged [10] [12]; water as the surface dries [10]; let the surface dry a little in winter [12]
SoilAkadama with a little humus and pumice, a mix that drains well and holds moisture [10]
RepotEvery two years in spring [10] [11]; Herons: when needed, possibly every couple of years [12]
FrostNone as a bonsai: keep away from freezing [13]; not below about 54°F (12°C) for any length of time [11]
Mature heightAbout 3 to 10 ft (1 to 3 m) in the wild [2] [3]; up to 13 ft (4 m) [3] [6]
Growth rateModerate, rated as a landscape plant [3] [8]; the bonsai sources give no rating
Season of interestSmall white flowers that can appear all year [10]; small round fruit that ripens red [10]
Leaf reductionNot rated by the sources we checked; the leaves are small to begin with [2] [3]
Main risksMain risks, not ranked by any source: cold and sudden changes [8] [11], soggy or poorly drained soil [11] [12], too little light and dry winter air [10]

Overview & Character

Fukien tea is a small-leaved tropical shrub with a very dense, compact habit [11]. It bears small white flowers and little round fruit, and it handles regular trimming well [10]. In China it is a popular subject for penjing [6].

Kew's Plants of the World Online accepts the name Ehretia microphylla; Carmona retusa, the trade name this guide used before, and Carmona microphylla, used by Bonsai Empire [10] and many sellers, are both synonyms [1]; Wigert's gives it as a synonym of Ehretia microphylla [13]. Kew gives the native range as India to the Nansei-shoto (Ryukyu Islands) and the Solomon Islands [1]. Kew places it in the borage family, Boraginaceae [1]; NParks and Plant Pono place it in Ehretiaceae [3] [7].

This is not an easy tree for someone new to bonsai. Bonsai Empire says it is generally not considered easy, least of all for newcomers, and that it reacts to shifts in light, watering and temperature more than many other common indoor bonsai; ficus, jade and Chinese elm are far easier [10]. A Hawaii weed risk assessment cites the same trait: abrupt shifts in temperature or light upset it [8].

Identification

Foliage. Small, leathery, glossy dark green leaves with fine white hairs and a notched tip [10], 0.6 to 1.4 in (1.5 to 3.5 cm) long [2], with white spots [4]. It is evergreen [4] [10], though NParks records it as semi-deciduous in drought [3].

Bark & trunk. Light brown bark that cracks and fissures with age [11].

Growth habit / form. A much-branched shrub [2], used for hedges in Hong Kong [4].

Flowers / fruit. Small white star-shaped flowers in clusters of two to six, which can appear all year [10]; Bonsai4Me says early summer [11]. The round fruit is 0.16 to 0.24 in (4 to 6 mm) across [10] and ripens red [10], red to brownish orange [3] or black [11].

Look-alikes & how to tell them apart: Despite the name, Fukien tea belongs to the borage family [1]; Taiwan's natural history museum calls it false tea ehretia [5]. Its small, rough, white-spotted leaves set it apart [4] [5].

Climate & USDA Zone

In the ground. Plants for a Future rates it for USDA zones 10 to 12, as quoted in the Hawaii-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment [8]; that is a landscape figure. It has naturalized in Hawaii, where Plant Pono advises against planting it [7] [8]. The zones row gives zone 13 for a potted tree. USDA zones are bands of the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature, 10°F wide [15]; zone 13's band is 60 to 70°F [16], the only one whose lows stay at or above the 54°F (12°C) floor.

In a pot. The bonsai sources set far higher limits:

Keep conditions steady: Herons says it dislikes temperature swings [12], and even a move to a new spot can upset it [10]. Bonsai Empire also wants high humidity, with a tray of wet gravel or foamed clay under the pot [10].

Light

The sources disagree. Bonsai Empire wants a lot of natural light, right next to a window, with a plant lamp in winter [10]. Wigert's and Brussel's both say full sun [13] [14], and NParks lists full sun for landscape plants [3]. Bonsai4Me prefers good light without continual direct sun: indoors only 1 hour of full sun a day, outdoors morning or afternoon sun only [11]. Herons keeps indoor trees out of direct sun and outdoor trees in partial shade to avoid leaf scorch [12]. All agree it needs plenty of light; too little is a common trigger for leaf drop [10].

Watering

Evenly moist, never soggy. Bonsai Empire says the tree must be kept moist, yet constantly wet soil also harms it [10]. Water generously as soon as the surface dries, by looking at the soil rather than following a label that says water every day [10]. Herons keeps it moist at all times but lets the surface dry a little before watering in winter [12]. Yellowing leaves often mean too much water or poor drainage [11] [12]. NParks rates the landscape plant as needing moderate water [3]; no source calls a potted Fukien tea drought tolerant.

Soil & Root Care

Bonsai Empire uses akadama with a little humus and pumice, a mix that drains well yet holds moisture, and says good drainage is essential to avoid root problems [10]. Bonsai4Me warns that trees imported from China usually come in clay that compacts easily, which should be replaced with a basic bonsai mix [11].

Bonsai Empire and Bonsai4Me both repot every two years in spring: early spring for Bonsai Empire [10], as growth starts for Bonsai4Me [11]; Herons repots when needed, possibly every couple of years [12]. The roots are sensitive, so root pruning must be gentle [10].

Feeding

The sources differ on timing. Bonsai Empire favors solid organic fertilizer because the roots are sensitive, uses liquid feed only in measured doses on moist soil, and feeds well from spring to autumn, less in winter [10]. Bonsai4Me feeds every two weeks from spring to autumn and monthly in winter [11]. Herons also prefers solid organic fertilizer and feeds in spring and autumn [12].

Pruning & Styling

Fukien tea takes pruning very well, and regular trimming builds dense branching [10]. Bonsai4Me says its dense habit can be shaped by pruning alone, without wire, and that hard pruning can be done at any time while the tree is healthy [11]. A bonsai reference quoted in the Hawaii assessment adds that it back buds well after reduction cuts, but large cuts do not heal over [8].

If you wire, do it on young shoots, which are tender and flexible; mature twigs and branches are hard and brittle [10]. Bonsai4Me finds it suits all forms and sizes [11], and Taiwan's natural history museum names cliff-style and straight-trunk forms [5].

Seasonal Calendar

Care calendar by month

Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, shift every month by six.

Propagation & Cuttings

Ease: Not rated by the bonsai sources; Taiwan's natural history museum says the seeds germinate easily [5]. Best methods: seed or cuttings [10] [11].

Bonsai Empire propagates from seed or cuttings in summer [10]. Bonsai4Me sows seed outdoors as soon as it is ripe and takes softwood cuttings in summer [11]. Plant Pono notes that it reproduces by seed and is not reported to spread vegetatively [7].

Pests

The sources disagree. Bonsai Empire says a tree kept in poor conditions can suffer from spider mites, scale and whiteflies [10]; Bonsai4Me calls it trouble free [11].

Disease, Fungus & Infection

Root problems. General yellowing usually comes from overwatering or poorly draining compost [11]; good drainage prevents root trouble [10].

Chlorosis. Hard water can yellow the leaves; treat with an iron fertilizer [10].

Fungus. Rarely, fungal disease enters through fresh wounds, so use clean tools and seal fresh cuts with cut paste [10].

Stress leaf drop. Sudden leaf drop is usually stress, not disease: temperature swings, drafts, too little light or uneven watering [10].

Most Common Causes of Death

No source we checked ranks these. They are the main risks the sources describe, in no particular order:

Toxicity, Safety & Handling

The Hawaii-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment found no evidence of harm to animals or people, citing Plants for a Future ("Known Hazards - None known") [8], and Plant Pono lists it as non-toxic [7]. Its leaves are brewed as a tea substitute in the Philippines [8]. We found no ASPCA or other veterinary listing, so treat this as no reported harm rather than a vet's all-clear.

Sources

  1. Kew Plants of the World Online: Ehretia microphylla
  2. Flora of China vol. 16: Carmona
  3. NParks Flora and Fauna Web: Ehretia microphylla
  4. Hong Kong Wetland Park (AFCD): Fukien Tea
  5. National Museum of Natural Science, Taiwan: Carmona retusa
  6. Wikipedia: Ehretia microphylla
  7. Plant Pono, Hawaii: Fukien tea, Ehretia microphylla
  8. Hawaii-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment: Ehretia microphylla
  9. Montreal Botanical Garden (Space for Life): Selecting indoor bonsai species
  10. Bonsai Empire: Carmona bonsai (Fukien tea) care
  11. Bonsai4Me: Carmona/Fukien Tea Bonsai
  12. Herons Bonsai: Indoor Fukien Tea Carmona Bonsai Tree
  13. Wigert's Bonsai: Fukien Tea, Regular Leaf, Curved Trunk
  14. Brussel's Bonsai: Fukien Tea
  15. USDA ARS: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
  16. The Old Farmer's Almanac: What Are Plant Hardiness Zones?

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