The fragrant white flowers that later turn into fruit make the Carmona a very suggestive bonsai.

This plant originally from China, also called "tea plant" by Fukien, has oval evergreen leaves and in spring and summer it is covered with fragrant white flowers that will turn into berries first green and then red, making Carmona a very impressive bonsai. 

From a structural point of view, Carmona bonsai has twisted branches, a gray-brown bark, rough in mature specimens, and sessile leaves of small size, oval-shaped and dark green, shiny and rough to the touch. In spring it produces small white flowers, characterized by cymose inflorescences, panicle-shaped, and the calyx with five divisions; at the end of summer it produces small roundish fruits, green in color at the time of development and then turning red-purple.

It can be formed into almost any style.

The Carmona bonsai is particularly appreciated for its proportionate forms.

Carmona bonsai is particularly appreciated for its proportionate shapes because the small leaves perfectly fit the miniaturized structure of the trunk.

However, the shrub can reach in nature even ten meters of height and began to be imported in our continent about 150 years ago, mainly in warm countries, for ornamental purposes in the formation of public parks.

Especially in the past, Carmona was also the subject of commercial interest because of its wood, which is particularly valuable and suitable for the construction of tools and wheels; currently the plant is used in the Philippines to make a beverage from its leaves which substitutes tea.

Exposure.

Since it is a tree of tropical origin, it needs constant high temperatures, which is why it is identified as an indoor bonsai. 

While from late spring onwards it can be placed on the terrace or balcony or in the garden, when the outside temperature drops below 13°-15° C it is necessary to place it indoors, or in any case in a sheltered place, where it can be guaranteed a light source at less than 1 meter and a temperature between 15° and 24° C. 

When placed outside, it bears without any problem the direct sun, except for the hottest summer months, during which it should be placed in half-shade.

Watering.

Watering for this species must be abundant and regular, letting the soil dry between one watering and the other. It doesn't like water stagnations, therefore drainage must always be kept under control.

It is necessary to pay attention to the lack of water because it doesn't show the symptoms due to the lack of water (leaves drying up). In case of excess of water, instead, the tips of the leaves turn black and gradually fall off.

Potting.

Transplanting is done every 3/5 years in late spring or early summer. The ideal compost is 60% akadama +30% ready soil +10% pozzolan.

Pruning.

Pruning can be done at any time of year, although it must be said that the most suitable time is early spring, and the least recommended is winter. 

Although Carmona is not particularly weakened by the operation, it is obviously essential to cover the large cuts with healing mastic. In order to train Carmona, the Lignan method is applied, which consists in "letting grow and pruning": trees shaped with this system present marked angles, sharp cracks and half-closed scars, showing a rather old and charming aspect. 

The pruning most often applied is however the thinning one, with which branches that grow in unsuitable positions are eliminated: they cross with others, develop upwards or downwards, etc.. It is a technique applied mainly in the spring months, sporadically in winter.

Pinching.

To finish the structure and silhouette of the tree is applied the stapling of shoots too long. The best way to do it is through the use of specific scissors for bonsai, cutting 2 or 3 leaves every time the shoots have 7/10.

Winding.

Wrapping is applied only in extreme cases, that is, only if there are no alternatives to shape a branch, since Carmona, despite its appearance, has very fragile ramifications. 

Moreover, its bark is particularly delicate and the wire can cut it even during the winding phase if too much pressure is applied. If you really think you have to apply the wire, it is better to use the system of tie-rods, anchoring the wire to a lower part of the trunk or to the container. 

With this method it is possible to lower the branches that are born from the trunk and tend upwards instead of developing horizontally.

Fertilization.

At the beginning of the growing season (March-April) fertilize every 8-10 days combining Bonsan Stimulating Fertilizer with Bonsan Organic Liquid Fertilizer. 

From April to September, fertilize every 8-10 days with Bonsan Organic Liquid Fertilizer or every 25-30 days with Bonsan Organic Solid Fertilizer Aburukasu, avoiding the months of July and August. 

From September to February, use Bonsan Organic Liquid Fertilizer every 15-20 days. To stimulate rooting, use Bonsan Fluid Organic Mineral Fertilizer with B vitamins instead of Bonsan Organic Liquid Fertilizer.

Care.

The pathogens that can affect Carmona are aphids and scale insects, against which it is advisable to use a systemic insecticide at the appearance of the first symptoms. 

In any case, if the plant is properly cared for, it is unlikely to be attacked by insects, mites or fungi.

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