2 new Fukians; 2 new problems.

Hey Everyone!

This is my first post on here; just joined I just bought 2 Fukien Tea's that were shipped 5 days apart. My first one arrived looking very full and nice, but i had (have) a bit of an aphid problem. They are concentrated to the new growth areas, but it's not a huge infestation. I have been using the sprayer nozzle from my kitchen sink, and it works ok. But it seems they are back a few days later. Also, I pruned my new trees pretty heavily a few days after receiving them. I guess I was a little overzealous, but they seem healthy. No leaf loss besides a few the day after they arrived (I heard this was normal after shipping). The second tree arrived with the trunk about 50 percent covered in a slimy brown coating that appears a little fuzzy. The tree also had a pungent "moldy" smell. I have read almost every page I could find on Fukiens, and can't find anything referencing these symptoms. I used an old toothbrush and carefully scrubbed the entire trunk until it had the nice look of a healthy Fukien. Is what I did ok? Is the brown "slime" something I should be concerned about? And finally, both trees arrived with beautiful layers of moss. I have read many posts that say the maintenance requirements for these trees will not allow me to have a healthy moss layer. Is that true? I really do love the way it looks. I will put pictures up of my 2 new trees. If anyone one with any info or experience with these trees could give me some suggestions, I would really appreciate it! Especially suggestions on the styling route I should take. This is new to me, and I want to learn everything I can about these trees without killing them. Thanks in advance everyone! It's great to be part of the club!

http://www.shofubonsai.org

Moss usually requires more water that a tree will tolerate and remain healthy, in other words, remove the moss and stones.

In Sarasota Fukien Tea can/should be outside all year.

Check out the Bonsai Societies of Florida web site for care.

I know I'm a terrible wet blanket, but this is a word to all the beginners. Stay away from starter plants (we call them mallsai) with exaggerated S curves in the trunk. They are actually in poor taste. Look at the pictures of trees from shows, and you will never see them. The only reason that the mass suppliers keep producing them is that beginners buy them.
Now that you have these, they should be repotted in larger pots with well drained bonsai soil. Where are you keeping them? They should be easy to grow in Florida. You may have to spray with an insecticide to keep the aphids off.
Iris

Isn't beauty in the eye of the beholder? I know they will never be show trees, but they make me happy

They currently live in front of a window that gets about 6 hours of sun a day. They seem to be healthy, but I would like to see them fill out a bit. Any advice on full defoliation? People seem to be split in their opinions on this.

srqstyle wrote:They currently live in front of a window that gets about 6 hours of sun a day. They seem to be healthy, but I would like to see them fill out a bit. Any advice on full defoliation? People seem to be split in their opinions on this.

Anyway yhey could be outside all the time? I would not defoliate. Just be careful of water. It is getting hot in Sarasota, and the AC isn't good for plants.

Yeah Billy, It is getting hot here. I have a perfect place on my patio where I will probably move them to. Its is shady in the morning, but sunny all afternoon. And thanks for the advice about defoliating. I was a little wary about trying it, but I think I will just leave them alone for now.

Are the rubber bands ok for coaxing the branches downward? I figured the branches were too brittle to wire, so i wanted to just try some gentle pressure may help. Also, I am really not happt with the branch positions in the second picture. The seem to have no rhyme or reason, less than bonsai in my opinon. Any suggestions, or is it too late to correct this?

I have never tried rubber bands, I suppose they will work on really small branches. Fukien Tea can be very forgiving IF you give them the right conditions. For me they can be funny about too much or too little water and drop leaves, but they come back.