Description

The Fukien Tea. (‘Carmona microphylla’ or botanically ‘Ehretia buxifolia’) is a shrub-like, evergreen tropical plant of Southern Chinese descent. It is ideally an indoor plant.

The Fukien Tea is a very attractive subject for bonsai, with shiny, oval, dark-green leaves against a grey-green trunk with white, slightly perfumed flowers which can appear all year round if given the right conditions. Afterwards, small berries are produced changing from green to red. It can be clipped into your desired bonsai shape easily, without need of wiring.

General Care: The Fukien Tea grows well as an indoor bonsai (Depending on your climate it can be left outside and brought inside for the winter when temperatures drop below 15°C (60°F) or left inside all year as long as the plant is in a sunny position with adequate water and humidity).

Branches can be pruned all year. Pinch out new shoots that detract from the overall shape of the bonsai. Trim new shoots back to two to three leaves regularly in the growing season, and every month in winter. Feed every 2 weeks from spring to autumn and monthly in winter with a low nitrogen feed. Water regularly.

• The leaves are used to make a unique and tasty tea. The berries are edible.
• Proper name: Carmona microphylla
• A shrub-like, evergreen tropical plant of Southern Chinese descent
• Ideal indoor plant
• Shiny, oval, dark-green leaves against a grey-green trunk with white, slightly perfumed flowers