Fukien Tea Question

mgodbee

OK, here's what I did... I trimmed up the foliage up top by about 50%, it needed it and I figured the branches could get more air anyway. The black scrapes off, and some of the small branches I cut were still green so I think it is fine.. I scrubbed it with a tootbrush and bottled water with just a touch of diluted hand soap. Scraped a lot of it off, added some superthrive around the roots (was out when I repotted), and put it in the full sun. It has always been in a semi shaded area during the summer, but I am gonna leave it in the full sun to kind of kill some of the mold/fungus what ever it is. I will watch it closely to make sure it doesn't get scorched and mist it in the morning and evening. Once that is done I will work on my taper... I kind wish I could straighten out that trunk some, the S curve isn't as cool as when I started...Haven't paid this tree the attention I should have since I have nicer trees now, but it is my first, and I don't want to lose it... It is blazing hot here in Atlanta right now so I may have to move it back into the shade, but luckily I am in between jobs right now so I have alot of free time the next two weeks to care for it... Thanks a lot for the help and I will post some pictures to show you the progress...

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mgodbee

By the way is there any way to encourage branches on the bottom 2 curves... Since I have had the tree there hasn't even been any buds...

Jerry Meislik

The black on the trunk may be fungal. If you have scale and or aphids they will stimulate the tree to produce material that will allow black fungus to grow on the trunk.
You can scrub it off with a toothbrush. Treat the Fukien for scale.
Jerry

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

bwaynef

While that is generally good advice for MOST deciduous trees, I thought I'd point out that its not necessary on many conifers; it can even be harmful. I believe it was Vance Wood, though it may've been Brent Walston, that has gone to some length to point that out. Come to think of it I believe it was outlined in one of Vance's recent threads. I'm sure someone will point out my error.

Wayne F.

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susieq

Hello Wayne,
Regarding conifers, you are probably right. I know nothing about conifers and don't claim to. I work mostly on junipers, elms and tropicals and this does apply to them. We were discussing a tropical so I offered it up. But thank you for a fact that may come in handy for me sometime. Someone gave me a JBP at the convention last month and if it ever amounts to anything, that is a fact I will remember. That's what I love about this site. There is always someone out there who knows what you need to find out.
susieq