Carmona Fukien Tea Bonsai

Hello All,

Thank you for taking my questions. I decided to take up the hobby of Bonsai Trees. I purchased 2 Fukien Tea Bonsai Trees before doing the reasearch. I live in South Dakota and we are having a very hard cold winter.
I purchased a plant stand with two 24" adjustable grow lights. The first fukien was purchased on 12/29/08 the second on 1/12/09. I have the plant stand set up in my finished heated basement. I have two fairly large eastern windows and the trees are approx. twenty feet from the windows. The temperature averages around 70 degrees F.

My question is: How many hours should I have the grow lights on daily? I have been turning them on around 6am until 9am and then again around 12pm until 1pm. My first tree seems to be doing well. Constantly flowering (another question: I read that if you pinch the flowers, the growing energy will be more directed towards the trunk??). I think my 2nd Fukien is still adjusting to the new surroundings, it has not flowered yet.

I appreciate any help.

Thank you,

Tom

I'd think you will need to leave the lights on much longer, perhaps 12-14 hours daily. 20 feet from the windows means that insufficient natural light will be available to the trees. Perhaps the first is flowering vigorously in a desperate attempt to survive! I think they will weaken over a relatively short time under your current regimen.

John gave you good advice. It's early to tell on your fukien teas, but it's smarter to ask early than too late!
You will find other good bonsai information on your trees at http://www.bonsai-bci.com/species/fukien.html.

I also agree with John's post.
The light that you are providing should replicate daylight and the approximate times it shines at your house. If the sun rises at 6:30 AM and sets at approximately 5:45 PM then those should be the times that you set your light's timers.

With your trees 20' from the window, any light they are getting from the window is mostly reflected light and not nearly enough for what your trees really need. Lights can indeed help. Also be aware that some trees need to have a dormant period during the winter. With the temperature in your space being at the upper end of what they need during winter (54-70 degrees), this might be the reason for the blooming.

Good luck...