Carmona Microphylla

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Boraginaceae or Boraginaceae

Order

Boraginales

Genus

Carmona

Species

microphylla

Description

Evergreen perennial shrub, prized in the art of bonsai for its elegant habit, with a woody stem with grey, cracked bark and dense, small, glossy green foliage. Additional value is conferred by the flowering of small white flowers, which is followed by the formation of minute, non-edible berries. Mainly grown as an indoor plant in winter conditions, outdoors in spring-summer temperatures as it fears thermal conditions below 15°C and cold air currents that can seriously damage it.

Variety description

Plant of the boraginaceae family. In nature it is a wild shrub, found in Japan, China and Korea. It is also commonly called a tea plant, but is not really (it is camellia sinensis). It has small, shiny green leaves and grey, cracked bark. It produces small, white, star-shaped flowers in late spring, early summer, which then give rise to non-edible berries. It should be placed in areas where the temperature does not fall below 15°c.

Curiosities and special features

Carmona microphylla is often called 'Tea Fukien', in reference to its Asian range of origin, or 'Tea Plant', a common name that actually refers more correctly to the species Camellia sinensis.

It is also a much-loved plant in the art of bonsai, a technique of cultivating miniature trees, which originated in China and spread to Japan, with profound meanings that reconcile philosophical and spiritual principles, in the search for a symbiosis between man and nature. Today, also thanks to cultural exchanges and international events in the sector, bonsai cultivation has developed throughout the West.

Origin and distribution

A species native to China, particularly the Fukien (Fuijan) province from which it derives its common name. It grows as a wild shrub in China, Korea and Japan.

Flower size

The flower is small, lending elegance to the flowering.

Leaf

The leaves have an elongated, oval lamina.

Flowering period

Flowering lasts from late spring to early summer for between 15 and 30 days. This is followed by the formation of non-edible berries, which lend additional ornamental value to the plant.

Leaf colour

The leaves are evenly coloured, green and shiny.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.2 to 1.8 m, depending on the size of the pot and the setting of the specimen.

Lifespan

Perennial evergreen plant.

Where to plant

Suitable for cultivation as bonsai, in different styles, for large pots, small pots.

Stem

The woody stem has grey, cracked bark.

Flower

The flower has a simple, small form with a star-shaped corolla and single-coloured petals. It flowers from late spring to early summer, with a flowering period of between 15 and 30 days. It is not particularly attractive to pollinating insects.

Growth

Plant with indeterminate growth.

Plant habit

It develops a bushy and compact habitus.

Branching

The branching is Medium overall.

PH

It requires a soil pH between 5.0 and 6.5.

Sun exposure

It is indicated as a half-shade, full sun, indoor species in the cold season. In summer it must be protected from direct sunlight by placing it in half-shade.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 18 and 28 °C. The vital temperature is between 10 and 40 °C. It should be placed in areas where the temperature does not fall below 15 °C.

Use

Appreciated in the art of bonsai as a plant in:

Exterior ornamental field Indoor ornamental environment

The place of cultivation, outdoor or indoor, is related to the climatic conditions present.

Hardiness

With its low rusticity, it must be cultivated carefully, avoiding water and heat stress; moreover, it can be seriously damaged if subjected to cold draughts.

Soil

Use a specific soil for bonsai, alternatively you can prepare a mixture with 20-30% component with good porosity (sand, pumice...), 40% clay part (akadama) and 30-40% peat-based soil.

Difficulty

Cultivation of Carmona microphylla, like many other bonsai species, is difficult on average; with the right cultivation care, you can obtain unique specimens with high ornamental value.

Growing tips

Some useful cultivation tips, specific to the bonsai cultivation of Carmona microphylla:

Avoid direct sunlight during the hottest hours In summer it is preferable to place the plants in sunny sites only in the morning or in shade during the hottest hours.

Pruning

Prune continuously during the growing season, every formation of a couple of leaves. Maintain shape and avoid lignifying branches.

Propagation

Mainly from cutting.

Watering

Sprinkle the pot under the foliage abundantly and allow the soil to dry slightly between two waterings. In the case of low humidity it is preferable to spray the foliage with demineralised water. Carmona microphylla does not tolerate waterlogging, so it is advisable to lift the pot so that any excess water drains out from underneath and, if the soil dries out a little too much, immerse the entire pot in water for 3 to 5 minutes and then allow it to drain.

Fertilising

Apply specific slow-release organic fertiliser, of Japanese origin, to the pot, with titres designed for bonsai, also remove spent granules and reposition new ones. Proceed with spring fertilisation when the plant starts to vegetate actively while winter fertilisation should be done with an organic fertiliser that is less rich in nitrogen so as to avoid an excessive vegetative push.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Tip

Avoid stagnation: lift the pot so that any excess water runs out from underneath Use specific slow-release organic fertilisers of Japanese origin, with titres designed for bonsai The winter fertilisation should be done with an organic fertiliser that is less rich in nitrogen (e.g. Biogold classic) in order to avoid excessive bonsai. Keep the plant pruned continuously, to a couple of leaves, avoiding overly lignified twigs. If the soil dries out a little too much, immerse the complete pot in water for 3-5 minutes and then let it drain off.