Hey everyone,

New member here. Some background: I have a degree in Computer Engineering and am working on my masters in Electrical Engineering. Im a mycology buff, very much into the Asian culture and martial arts, and have always loved bonsai. I had some junipers a
few years back that eventually died under the care of my mother one summer. I just received a a new tree recently. Its is a Carmona Microphylla. It is 13 years old and has been in training for 10. Some pics:

http://www.knology.net/~therin/CarmonaMicrophylla1.jpg
http://www.knology.net/~therin/CarmonaMicrophylla2.jpg

A quick question about the tree. I downloaded a care sheet that says to water once a day (a bit less in the winter) and keep above 50 deg F (I have the heat in my house in the low 60s) in the winter. Ive been watering it probbaly twice a week. It also s
ays to expect the tree to lose some leaves and to make sure it gets some indirect sun. Does this seem right? Anyone here have this species of tree? How does it look and do you have any suggestions that I can use to make sure the tree thrives as much as
possible. It has been losing a substantial number of leaves over the coruse of the last few weeks. Is this ok?

Thanks in advance for the suggestions. I hope to learn alot here and become a true bonsai enthusiast, as well a person who can some day contribute back! =)

Josh

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Jarbas Godoy ++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Welcome to IBC, Josh. (I have a grandnephew in Colorado named Josh
Walker!) Many of us know your tree as Fukian (or Fujian) Tea, but I
appreciate your use of the proper botanical name of Carmona microphylla
(or Ehretia microphylla--one problem is that the "proper" names seem to
change so much they're in danger of being as ambiguous as so-called
"common" names).
You can find a good care sheet on this tree at
http://www.bonsai-bci.com/species/fukien.html
Alan Walker
http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org

-----Original Message-----
From: Josh Walker

Hey everyone,
New member here. Some background: I have a degree in Computer
Engineering and am working on my masters in Electrical Engineering. Im
a mycology buff, very much into the Asian culture and martial arts, and
have always loved bonsai. I had some junipers a few years back that
eventually died under the care of my mother one summer. I just received
a a new tree recently. Its is a Carmona Microphylla. It is 13 years
old and has been in training for 10. Some pics:
http://www.knology.net/~therin/CarmonaMicrophylla1.jpg
http://www.knology.net/~therin/CarmonaMicrophylla2.jpg
A quick question about the tree. I downloaded a care sheet that says to
water once a day (a bit less in the winter) and keep above 50 deg F (I
have the heat in my house in the low 60s) in the winter. Ive been
watering it probbaly twice a week. It also says to expect the tree to
lose some leaves and to make sure it gets some indirect sun. Does this
seem right? Anyone here have this species of tree? How does it look
and do you have any suggestions that I can use to make sure the tree
thrives as much as possible. It has been losing a substantial number of
leaves over the coruse of the last few weeks. Is this ok?
Thanks in advance for the suggestions. I hope to learn alot here and
become a true bonsai enthusiast, as well a person who can some day
contribute back! =)
Josh

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Jarbas Godoy ++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

In a message dated 1/11/2004 2:23:17 AM Eastern Standard Time, Josh writes:
I downloaded a care sheet that says to
water once a day (a bit less in the winter) and keep above 50 deg F (I
have the heat in my house in the low 60s) in the winter. Ive been
watering it probbaly twice a week. It also says to expect the tree to
lose some leaves and to make sure it gets some indirect sun. Does this
seem right? Anyone here have this species of tree? How does it look
and do you have any suggestions that I can use to make sure the tree
thrives as much as possible. It has been losing a substantial number of
leaves over the coruse of the last few weeks. Is this ok?
Josh:

A couple of suggestions:

1. Watering: insert a chopstick into the root pad, and remove it on a daily
basis to determine the water content in the soil. This is determine by
removing it and touching the below-soil-level portion of the stick. When the stick
is on the dry side, thoroughly rewater the tree.

2. Leaf Loss: Excessive leaf loss IS NOT OK. Fukien Tea has a tendency to
drop leaves when acclimating to a new environment. The light level,
temperature, and amount of watering all impact on the potential for leaf loss.

If you are losing a lot of leaves and these leaves are yellow, you are
OVERWATERING. To much water will result in root rot, and this can be difficult to
correct.

3. Lighting: If you are able to provide this tree with 6-8 hours of direct
sunlight, this should be sufficient to sustain its healthy growth. If not,
you will need to supplement its lighting needs with a grow light.

4. Humidity: The humidity level is important for this tree. I would
suggest that you acquire a suiban or shallow tray. Place stones on the tray, add
waters such that it is BENEATH the top of the stones, and place the potted tree
on the tray. The added humidity will be welcomed by the tree.

5. In the summer, get this tree to where it belongs: outside in warm
conditions. The water needs of the tree will significantly increase during the
summer, and you will need to monitor water consumption in the morning and in the
evening throughout the hottest part of the growing season.

Cordially,

Michael Persiano
http://members.aol.com/iasnob/index.html

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Jarbas Godoy ++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

In a message dated 1/11/2004 2:23:17 AM Eastern Standard Time, Josh writes:
I downloaded a care sheet that says to
water once a day (a bit less in the winter) and keep above 50 deg F (I
have the heat in my house in the low 60s) in the winter. Ive been
watering it probbaly twice a week. It also says to expect the tree to
lose some leaves and to make sure it gets some indirect sun. Does this
seem right? Anyone here have this species of tree? How does it look
and do you have any suggestions that I can use to make sure the tree
thrives as much as possible. It has been losing a substantial number of
leaves over the coruse of the last few weeks. Is this ok?
Josh:

A couple of suggestions:

1. Watering: insert a chopstick into the root pad, and remove it on a daily
basis to determine the water content in the soil. This is determine by
removing it and touching the below-soil-level portion of the stick. When the stick
is on the dry side, thoroughly rewater the tree.

2. Leaf Loss: Excessive leaf loss IS NOT OK. Fukien Tea has a tendency to
drop leaves when acclimating to a new environment. The light level,
temperature, and amount of watering all impact on the potential for leaf loss.

If you are losing a lot of leaves and these leaves are yellow, you are
OVERWATERING. To much water will result in root rot, and this can be difficult to
correct.

3. Lighting: If you are able to provide this tree with 6-8 hours of direct
sunlight, this should be sufficient to sustain its healthy growth. If not,
you will need to supplement its lighting needs with a grow light.

4. Humidity: The humidity level is important for this tree. I would
suggest that you acquire a suiban or shallow tray. Place stones on the tray, add
waters such that it is BENEATH the top of the stones, and place the potted tree
on the tray. The added humidity will be welcomed by the tree.

5. In the summer, get this tree to where it belongs: outside in warm
conditions. The water needs of the tree will significantly increase during the
summer, and you will need to monitor water consumption in the morning and in the
evening throughout the hottest part of the growing season.

Cordially,

Michael Persiano
http://members.aol.com/iasnob/index.html

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Jarbas Godoy ++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

3. Lighting: If you are able to provide this tree with 6-8
hours of direct
sunlight, this should be sufficient to sustain its healthy
growth. If not,
you will need to supplement its lighting needs with a grow
light.


And be certain to rotate the tree a quarter turn (in the same
direction ;-) each week. Otherwise it'll get a bit one-sided.

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Nature
encourages no looseness, pardons no errors. Ralph Waldo Emerson

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Jarbas Godoy ++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++