Also a Fukien Tea owner

Kyleenah

I purchased a Fukien Tea tree from a lady who raises and trains them here in the Pacific Northwest. The tree is about 7 years old and 6 inches or so tall, and I've purchased a book called _Indoor Bonsai_ to help me with basic care.

I still have a couple of questions for more experienced owners:

1) Do you find that tap water is ok for watering your bonsai? The shop owner advised me against using tap water for misting unless I sit it out to soften before using it to mist, but do I need to do that for watering the roots too? Since I've read that you should soak the pot if it becomes too dry, I'd like to know if I should have a couple gallons of dechlorinated (sp?) water laid by. I haven't taken the pH out here yet, but I doubt if the water is very hard since we don't have any problems with the other houseplants.

2) I'm reading conflicting reports on indoor vs outdoor on the fukien tea. The woman who sold it to me said it could be kept indoors (got it in an east-facing window that gets lots of light right now) so long as it was in a window, which my bonsai book also says should be ok. But I've seen some people on this forum say that outdoors would be better. I live in a very arid region of north idaho and we don't have any good shaded spots where I could keep the tree from overheating. I am using a humidity tray which just barely fits under the pot. I know I'll probably need to buy a larger one.

3) I'm using some aquarium gravel to keep the bonsai up out of the water in the humidity tray. Is it ok if the drainage holes come in contact with the damp gravel?

4) Ok, I'm not supposed to mist in the morning or in the evening or when there's a lot of light, but I work 8-5 during the week. Should I come home during my lunch hour?

I'm sorry if I'm being a little obtuse, but I really fell in love with this tree and I don't want to lose it.

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