Greetings;

So, I just received my Large Fukien Tea in the mail today from an online nursery in Florida. It came in an 8 inch plastic pot.
Nothing wrong with it and it looks like the soil is good for now. 
When would I repot it into a bonsai pot? Springtime? I also need to do a little pruning. But other than that the plant is in excellent shape and weathered the travel in a box real well with UPS. Took me 2 minutes to get all the foam peanuts out used for packing.
So, this is the largest Fukien I have ever had. I am asking for advice on it.
Thank you,
Carol

The timing for repotting most bonsai species is in early spring, just before they start to grow for the season. That should be the case for fukien as well.

The prerequists for repotting is that repotting is needed and that the tree is healthy enough to be repotted.

The timing for putting a tree into a bonsai pot is the same as for repotting. Plus that you take your vision and development plan into concideration. The smaller pot, the slower development.

I take your post that you have more fukiens that you have had for longer time? If so, please share your care and conditions. We have not seen one long term healthy fukien ever on this forum and nobody know how to grow them here.

Hi! I believe that it is mostly about the climate. Over here, it is quite a commonly seen, even used for hedges. I worked with many fukien teas, today I worked on a nice old one. We use nursery stock as teaching material, as it is fairly easy for beginners. The climate and humidity plays a large role in this.

pengy1 wrote: Hi! I believe that it is mostly about the climate. Over here, it is quite a commonly seen, even used for hedges. I worked with many fukien teas, today I worked on a nice old one. We use nursery stock as teaching material, as it is fairly easy for beginners. The climate and humidity plays a large role in this.

Yes, obviously they grow good somewhere. They are produced by milions every year and sold at a very low price as indoor bonsais. But we know they all dies indoors. I have had one living outdoors for two years. Not doing great, but living. That is pretty much a record here at BE.

You do not mention where you are nor what your climate is like, so your post does not help us finding out the key for keeping them alive.

Sorry! I live in Hong Kong, where it is quite humid. I think that is one large factor at play.

Yea. Humid subtropical climate. The very worst one to replicate if you live in a temperate region.

Yea.. Besides that, not sure what advice to give.

So, I live in Frankfort, KY and the temps now run from 48 to 56. Fall time -lower temps. 

What can the Fukiens stand?
It is outside on my patio with some other plants. 
My first Fukien.

Carol

CarolF4 wrote: So, I live in Frankfort, KY and the temps now run from 48 to 56. Fall time -lower temps. 

What can the Fukiens stand?
It is outside on my patio with some other plants. 
My first Fukien.

Carol

Pengy sais they grow as a weed in Hong kong and used as hedges. They just had all time low temperature record at 1,3 degrees. If the hedges is still alive that is a good hint:

asianews.network/hong-kong-observatory-r...1-3c-in-tai-mo-shan/

I kept mine in 5 degrees a full winter, it dropped leafs but recovered in spring.

Generally the definition of a subtropical climate is that it can feeze but it is extreamy rare.

My guess is that the fukiens can take an odd night below 0, but not more.

CarolF4 wrote: So, this is the largest Fukien I have ever had. I am asking for advice on it.

What a coincidence that your first fukien is also the largest one you ever had. Even more odd is that my first fukien was also my biggest. Scary coincidence.

I really need to get better att english. There are nuiances I just cant understand.