Fukien Tea indoors?

[small trees]

I picked up a mallsai that was on sale for $5 today, just because it was $5. It isn't too bad though, 1" trunk and about 7" tall. I can get pictures on here as soon as my phone charges. But anyway, Googling fukien tea care, I found most places say to keep it indoors. That seems a bit odd.. Is that really what should be done with this tree?

 

[Kevster]

It's a tropical tree so if your winters do not stay above 55 degrees then it needs to come inside.
As with most people I keep all my tropicals outside in the spring and bring them inside when fall hits.

 

[small trees]

Most articles referenced the light intensity but real world application is always more applicable. Thanks; we have a couple more months before it dips below 55 here.

 

[Kevster]

Both my Fukien when outside get 7 hours of full sun and love it. When I bring them inside for the winter I put them in an enclosure and they get all the light my fluorescents can give them. They also seem to really love being in an enclosure. I'm guessing the high humidity and consistent 80 degree temperature is what they like because they push so much new growth I have to prune it about once every other week.

 

[small trees]

Both my Fukien when outside get 7 hours of full sun and love it. When I bring them inside for the winter I put them in an enclosure and they get all the light my fluorescents can give them. They also seem to really love being in an enclosure. I'm guessing the high humidity and consistent 80 degree temperature is what they like because they push so much new growth I have to prune it about once every other week.

I'll have to try this. I don't have much experience with indoor plants; what type of fluorescent bulbs do you use? Is there a specific kind?

 

[Poink88]

Both my Fukien when outside get 7 hours of full sun and love it. When I bring them inside for the winter I put them in an enclosure and they get all the light my fluorescents can give them. They also seem to really love being in an enclosure. I'm guessing the high humidity and consistent 80 degree temperature is what they like because they push so much new growth I have to prune it about once every other week.

They need both light and humidity. Most forget the humidity side when moving trees indoors. The temp is also optimal for root growth and explains the top growth. Good job!

 

[Poink88]

I'll have to try this. I don't have much experience with indoor plants; what type of fluorescent bulbs do you use? Is there a specific kind?

I use 4 foot T8 6500 K fluorescent (T5 is even better) and had good results with my tropicals last year. I chose T8 since they are cheaper and readily available. You can find them (unit and/or bulbs) at Walmart, Lowes, HomeDepot, etc. T5 is more difficult.

 

[small trees]

I use 4 foot T8 6500 K fluorescent (T5 is even better) and had good results with my tropicals last year.

I just found kev's thread with pictures of his setup. I'll have to look into building something like what you guys have but on a smaller scale.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Feel free to have a look at my setup as well to get some inspiration:

http://www.bonsaisite.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24922&st=0

 

[Kevster]

Georgia how many tropicals do you have? If its just the one you could get away with just using a cfl bulb and an aluminum work light fixture. Or you could make a cheap hood like here.
Check out this video on YouTube:<br/><br/>http://youtu.be/Rs_QRorECvo

 

[small trees]

I only have this one plant and it's nothing special yet. Here's a crappy picture of it since I got my phone working. Taken in the bathroom of my place on campus, don't judge!

 

[Kevster]

Never!!! Got to start somewhere. Wish I had pictures of what I started with lol.
Judging by the foliage or lack there of, I'd say this poor tree has been inside for a long time. Once it is happy and healthy it will have leaves growing on top of leaves and will be so thick you won't be able to see any branches. It will send long shoots of growth out everywhere.
I'd start giving it some good lighting if you can.

If you want a cheap easy enclosure check Craig's list for used fish tanks. Something wide and tall enough to house this guy. Maybe a 20-30 gallon tank. You can even stand the tank up on its end so the top (opening) is on the left or right side. Put the tree in it and seal up the opening with cling wrap. A cheap easy light you could buy is a work light from a hardware store which looks like this brooding light.
Just use a daylight or full spectrum cfl bulb from lowes or Home Depot with the equivilant wattage of 100 watts.

Watch for mold though. I don't have issues in my enclosure but some do. I don't know why. I know the humidity inside mine is close to if not 100%.
If you see signs of mold open up the plastic a little to let some of the humidity out.

Ryan and I both have have done a lot of experimenting with enclosures. If you have questions don't be afraid to ask. Someone should be able to help.

 

[small trees]

Never!!! Got to start somewhere. Wish I had pictures of what I started with lol.
Judging by the foliage or lack there of, I'd say this poor tree has been inside for a long time. Once it is happy and healthy it will have leaves growing on top of leaves and will be so thick you won't be able to see any branches. It will send long shoots of growth out everywhere.
I'd start giving it some good lighting if you can.

If you want a cheap easy enclosure check Craig's list for used fish tanks. Something wide and tall enough to house this guy. Maybe a 20-30 gallon tank. You can even stand the tank up on its end so the top (opening) is on the left or right side. Put the tree in it and seal up the opening with cling wrap. A cheap easy light you could buy is a work light from a hardware store which looks like this brooding light.View attachment 26600
Just use a daylight or full spectrum cfl bulb from lowes or Home Depot with the equivilant wattage of 100 watts.

Watch for mold though. I don't have issues in my enclosure but some do. I don't know why. I know the humidity inside mine is close to if not 100%.
If you see signs of mold open up the plastic a little to let some of the humidity out.

Ryan and I both have have done a lot of experimenting with enclosures. If you have questions don't be afraid to ask. Someone should be able to help.

Yeah, there was a reason it cost me $5 haha. That sounds like a plan; I have a fishtank back at home that I could set up like this. I was really more unsure of what sort of light would give the nutrients needed. I'll definitely ask you guys if I have any questions! Thanks for the help!