Easy-care Information

EASY-CARE INFORMATION

Fuku-Bonsai grows only proven houseplants that are offered as Hawaiian Lava Plantings, potted Living Sculpture, or one-of-a-kind Custom Collection. A specific care sheet is enclosed with each product shipped. Over the years we've been able to develop effective cultural information that has produced success. Each plant has a specific care sheet, so be sure to read each one even if you've been successful with another Fuku-Bonsai product.

OUR 10-DAY LIMITED WARRANTY: "Fuku-Bonsai guarantees satisfaction and safe arrival of all plants shipped directly from the nursery; and if received in damaged or unsatisfactory condition, return by postpaid air mail for refund or replacement. No other warranty is expressed or implied." We've shipped to all parts of the United States since 1973 with very few problems. But every so often, a parcel is damaged by heat or cold and we've come to recognize the symptoms. If there are any questions, call us at (808) 982-9880 to "register" your concern, to get information and instructions, and to extend the warranty period. We will be fair but expect recipients to be fair, too.
: ACCLIMATION. All Fuku-Bonsai plants are shade grown to make the adjustment to indoors easier. Upon receipt of your plant, submerge the entire planting in room temperature water to totally saturate the rock or media until there are no more air bubbles. This will begin a proven cultural cycle. Read the care instructions carefully and call us if there are any questions. Sometimes plants develop black leaf spots during the initial acclimation period. Plants will take a month or so to acclimate.
: LIGHT & TEMPERATURE. Our plants can adjust to a wide range of indoor conditions; but in general, the more light, the more compact the stronger the growth. Give it a lot of light near a window or where there is a lot of artificial light. At minimum there should be enough light for comfortable reading. Ideally, you should be able to take a color photo without a flash. Being a tropical plant it's not hardy outdoors in cold climates. The plants were grown in our natural Kurtistown temperature range. On the hottest day of the year, it's a stifling 90°F. On the coldest night of the year, we've shivering as the mercury plunges to about 55°F! There should not be problems if your homes or offices are maintained between these temperatures. Be sure that your building is heated at night or on weekends during winter in colder climates. It's advisable not to place the plants where they will get winter icy blasts in colder climates.
: MOISTURE & DISPLAY. Please refer to the specific care sheet. This is the most critical factor. Brassaia especially likes to dry out between watering and can handle some under watering. But, if you overwater it, you'll rot the roots and kill the plant. Other plants require even, consistent watering. When you do water, water thoroughly. Rinse off any dust off the leaves when you water. Hard or softened water may be harmful and cause unsightly white deposits on the rock or pot. Distilled water may be preferable.; DO NOT SIMPLY ADD WATER FROM TIME TO TIME! When water is poured over the rock or media, only parts will get wet while other sections stay dry. You risk over or under watering. We recommend "dip-saturation" by soaking the entire plant in room temperature water for at least 30 minutes. As the water penetrates the lava rock or the potting media, it replaces air which bubbles out. When you take it out of the water and during the week, air moves back in. This alternating air and water exchange is the key to keeping True Indoor Bonsai healthy. Improper watering is the cause of most plant problems.
: FERTILIZE only as necessary to keep the plant green and only after you've had it for at least six months. Our successful customers recommend that once or twice a month, add just a drop or two of Schultz Liquid Plant Food to a gallon of water used to dunk the plant. That's very weak compared to their usual recommendations to use 7 drops per quart! Plants grow very slowly indoors and, therefore, need very little fertilizer. You'll cause harm by giving too much fertilizer or too strong fertilizer as the roots will burn and plants may die. Improper fertilizing is the second most frequent cause of plant problems.
: SCALE & INSECTS. Indoor plants are susceptible to these pests, but the plants are strong enough to survive while you get rid of them. If you have just a few plants, wash off pests with a Q-tip and dishwashing solution. If you've tended to your plants daily and enjoyed observing the details that make each plant different, you'll quickly notice if scales or insects are attacking your plant. We generally don't recommend spraying house plants with strong insecticides as it's messy, smelly, and difficult indoors.; __________________________________________________________________

CONCLUSION & THOUGHTS. Saburo Kato, the Japanese grand master, said that taking care of bonsai is just like taking care of children. Sometimes it takes a person who's at the top of the field to speak simple truths. In bringing an exotic plant indoors, it will become your responsibility to provide the plant's needs. It's not appropriate to expect the plant to adjust to the care that you're giving. Sometimes customers will claim that they did everything right but the plant died. That's unfortunate; but upon full investigation, often the customer did not really understand or follow instructions. As a grower-shipper, we hate to have to hear about plants dying, but upon asking questions, it becomes very obvious some people just don't bother to read the cultural instructions or ask questions.
: Taking care of bonsai is just like taking care of children. It's important to check on them daily to make sure they are healthy and receiving the proper care . . . not too much or not too little. It's an art that is impossible to set down into a short cultural sheet. Whole books are written about bonsai. It's the most difficult horticultural art! But it's also amongst the most satisfying. Our TRUE INDOOR BONSAI are the easiest with the best success record, but you've got to do your part!; February 2001
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