Fruit of the Fukien!

Linton starts with ...
Fukien Tea Tree - Carmona microphylla (Carmona retusa) - Ji Ju Shu.

Anyone else growing the Fukien Tea plant? This one is fruiting continuously, even though it is only about 15cm high. It is the smallest plant I have that does this and the cherry-like fruit, which turn red when ripe, are miniscule. So it's hardly worth growing just for them although they do taste nice. Ideal size if you live in a flat too.

Fortunately this species is a multi-purpose plant and is normally grown as a bonsai and the leaves can be used as a substitute for tea as well so I would like to have a go at that too.

So I'm looking for the recipe to make Fukien Tea. But I would also like to know how big this tree grows if left unrestricted and not as a bonsai. What would be it's eventual full size when it gets bigger and do you think that the fruits will increase in size also? Cheers?

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Linton says...
It's ok, have found the recipe to make the tea now:

'Fresh, well chopped leaves can be boiled for around 15 minutes, or dried crushed leaves can be prepared in a way as green tea, to make refreshing, caffeine-free drink, delightful both hot and cold. Its tiny stony berry fruits are edible.'

Fukien Tea plants are very popular for bonsai so you should check with your local Bonsai suppliers that stock Pre-bonsai plants. But as mentioned, they are not really worth growing for the fruit which are microscopic! They seem to have some medicinal uses too.

Some bonsai suppliers do mail order, but it's a bit expensive for what you get by the time you add on the postage.

http://bonsaishop.com.au/shop/index.php?route=product/product&filter_name=Fukien&product_id=634

Could save some seeds if you like, cheers!