Pest identification
What's eating my fukien tea bonsai?
Spider mites
Signs: Tiny pale dots on upper leaf surfaces; fine webbing; leaves drop prematurely.
Control: Increase ambient humidity; spray leaves with water daily; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap to all surfaces.
Scale insects
Signs: Small brown shells on stems and undersides; sticky honeydew; stunted growth.
Control: Remove with rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs; treat with horticultural oil; check every two weeks until clear.
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony clusters in leaf axils; weakened, distorted new growth.
Control: Isolate plant; dab infested spots with alcohol; spray the whole canopy with diluted neem oil solution.
Keep fukien tea bonsai pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Fukien Tea Bonsai pests — FAQ
What is eating my fukien tea bonsai?
Fukien Tea bonsai is particularly prone to spider mites in dry indoor conditions and to scale insects on its thin stems. Mealybugs exploit the dense canopy and leaf axils. Whitefly can appear when plants are moved outdoors in summer. Keeping humidity up and inspecting weekly prevents most infestations from becoming serious.
How do I get rid of spider mites on fukien tea bonsai?
Tiny pale dots on upper leaf surfaces; fine webbing; leaves drop prematurely. Increase ambient humidity; spray leaves with water daily; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap to all surfaces.
How do I get rid of scale insects on fukien tea bonsai?
Small brown shells on stems and undersides; sticky honeydew; stunted growth. Remove with rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs; treat with horticultural oil; check every two weeks until clear.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on fukien tea bonsai?
White cottony clusters in leaf axils; weakened, distorted new growth. Isolate plant; dab infested spots with alcohol; spray the whole canopy with diluted neem oil solution.