Fukien Tea Leaves

flytrapxx

Got a new fukien tea yesterday and it is filled out very well with healthy looking leaves, but some of the leaves fall of when I just slighty bump them.

Is this supposed to happen? Are the leaves of this species fragile or is my tree sick even though it doesn't look it?

Any help appreciated.

Advertisement

bmor

hi flytrapxx....leaves dropping with this species is a common problem when even the smallest environmental change has occurred. you stated that you just got it, so that is a probable factor. however, depending on the place you purchased it from and how long they were in a caregiving role; this may have started before you. mine drop the odd leaf though as new grow emerges.
a fukien tea is a nice tree to have but can be a challenge for the owner. high light and moisture requirements make this one an especially high care tree. this though, is rewarded with little white flowers and later, berries which come to almost even the smallest of these specimens. they are pretty quick growers and their cuttings root well during propogation. thus, one can increase their stock of potensai fairly quickly with cutting.
in sum...give it lots of light, keep soil moist, and don't move it around much.
****this is from my experience with these trees****

best of luck.
bill

Travesty34

Sounds to me like a lack of humidity from where it was purchased maybe. Any new healthy growth should be a lighter green the any older or dying growth.The foilage will turn dark green before falling off, which you don't want.

__________________
Travesty34 - GW - Profile

Jerry Meislik

No, the leaves should not fall off with a slight touch.
Bill's advice is right on.
Good luck.
Jerry

__________________
Jerry Meislik
Whitefish Montana USA
Zone 4-5
http://www.bonsaihunk.us/

flytrapxx

Thanks for the advice everyone. I got the tree at Target which I know is a not necessarily a good thing to do when purchasing bonsai. However, it looked quite healthy, had lots of growth and the shape I had in mind was already underway. Nevertheless, the lack of humidity things makes perfect sense since the last time I was in Target I didn't see any of their plants on humidity trays!

Thanks again and hopefully I'll be able to salvage this little guy.

Travis