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Old 28-Jun-2007   #3
susieq
Intermediate
 
Join Date: Jun-2002
Location: Hudson, FL
Country: USA
Posts: 435
Fukien Tea Problems

Chad,
where and under what conditions are you keeping this tree? You don't mention whether it is outside or inside, does it get any sunlight at all?
Fukien teas prefer to be outside even though they are often sold as "inside" the home friendly. It has to be a very special location in a home for it to do well. Many problems originate from the tree just being really unhappy with it's living conditions. Mine are outside under a canapy that allows filtered sunlight but my old bonsai teacher used to have his out in the full sun here in Florida and they did very well...

I have seen Fukies that were kept inside get a black sooty residue all over them that completely goes away after a week outside in the sunlight. The other stuff you mention maybe due to the overall run down condition of the tree making it suseptible to these things. A healthy tree might not be bothered by much more than the odd scale infection or aphids...which can easily be treated. If your tree is in the house, get it outside into an area that gets only filtered sun to start. You don't want to shock a weakened tree with full sun. Water it moderately...if you are in a location that is brutally hot right now, water every day. If it's not that hot, water every other day or so. It will not hurt the tree to dry out....you just can't let it stay that way for very long.

Oh and if the tree is one of those commercially sold at mall kiosks, etc.....check to make sure the dressing on the soil (pebbles, etc) are not GLUED On. If they are, get that stuff off of the soil surface right away. That is extremely bad for any bonsai.
good luck.
susieq
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