Carmona microphylla - aka Fukian or Fujian tea tree

Watch for scale infestations.

Al

hey There,

I am quite new with caring for plants, but my life has kinda exploded with them. I have the same fukien tea (which can be found at The Home Depot {with the same "faith" 'rock' and all =}), and here are a few things I have been able to glean from caring for it:

Definitely likes humidity. I spray mine often and also have it sitting on a shallow tray with small rocks I spray every time I notice they are dry. I feel it is best to let it dry fairly well between waterings (which for me is about 7 to 8 days).

I am not sure if it be true about all plants, but also, the fukien likes (like most trees I imagine) to grow up toward the light. In one forum I read to prune the Fukien (spring is best?), to encourage inside/underneath growth. So I pruned the top (extending) small green limbs. This supposedly encourages the inside of the tree to become more mature.

Also, I havent got the care for mine down to a science yet, likely because I am using an air conditioner in my room at the moment which robs everything of humidity. I have been able to tell though when my Fukien seems to need more humidity by the fact that the leaves start to turn down slightly on the edges and are more dry to the touch. (slightly 'crispy' feeling to go with my first inclination for a word.)

You may have already found this information yourself by now, but either way I'm glad to share.

Peace, and enjoy your Fukien as much as I