What should I do with this

[Simple190]

Hello

I am new to bonsai and have a ficus that was previously in a low-light area, causing its leaves to grow larger and the tree to develop an unusual shape. I would like to change the soil and prune it to encourage smaller, more compact leaves. Could you recommend the best type of soil for this purpose and provide guidance on where and how to prune the tree? I have had this ficus for a few years and want to ensure I don't harm it during the process.

DB

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Welcome Aboard BonsaiNut!

First please enter your approximate location and USDA Plant Cold Zone. Do so by double tapping on your ice on atop the page. Then account details, finally scroll down and enter these data and save. This will help us help advise you.

Without it we are just shooting in the dark.

Please put the tree in more light for a month and repost images with a clear background.

Don’t change the media at this time. Water lightly, but often enough to keep the media moist, but not wet.

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[leatherback]

I am with DSD.
Ideally you put this now outside -assuming summer- and allow it to regain strength. Place it initially in a shaded place, and week after week move into a more permanent sunny position so that in a few weeks it is in full sun. Once it starts pushing a little, make sure you water and fertilize. Only once this is healthy and lush with growth, think about pruning or repotting.

Note, I see no good reason for wanting to repot this tree now.

The large leaves are most like not due to low light. It seems like the rootstock has taken over from the grafted compact growing top, which has dies completely as a result. These leaves will not go to the former compact growth, and that is a good thing, tbh.

 

[Shibui]

Definitely need to know a location. So much depends on time of year which varies so much depending whether you live in southern or northern hemisphere, tropical or polar regions.

It appears you have a grafted Ginseng ficus which is good because they are very resilient but it appears that the grafted small leaf form has died and you now have the larger leaf root stock growing.
You can cut off the leafless, dead branches any time.
You have already identified that low light has, in part, caused the long, open shoots. Pruning is the solution.
When depends on your location as already mentioned.
Where is not so critical because its a ficus. New buds will grow from each leaf node or where there was once a leaf node, including at the base of every branch. The very long internodes (result of low light) are going to complicate things but I'd still be happy to chop way back to just above the thick part and regrow the entire canopy from new buds, however, timing depends on location and conditions you can provide.

 

[Dabbler]

Needs gradually put into more sunlight, keep moist but not wet, lightly fertilize once new growth is seen. Can repot once stronger growth is constant.

 

[Simple190]

I live in regina Sk Canada zone 3b. So if I understand correctly those small leaves will not return? I will put it outside not in direct sunlight for about a week then move it out more into the sunlight. Should I prune any leaves? It also has been hot here 34c, so on those days probably should be brought back inside or taken out of direct sunlight I assume.

 

[Charlo]

I have a similar one. Trimming the branches and misting the leaves has really helped create some compact growth. I also give it some fertilizer. I should have put mine outside for the season like my other house plants, but it is in a really bright sunny room and doing fine.

 

[leatherback]

Leave are solar panels. They capture all the energy a plant needs to stay alive, grow, build branches and leaves. As your plant is now weak, probably because of a lack of light (=energy!) for the plant, it is best to not prune untill you get some decent growth on it.

Ficus does not care about 34c. Leave it outside. But yes, the first weeks sunburn is a serious risk. You can also as we are still in mid-summer, use a spot with only an hour or so in the morning of direct sun and the rest of the day just ambient light. It will still be a lot more intense than what it gets inside.

I have 4 ficusses; 3 in full sun and one in a spot with 2 hrs morning and 2 hrs evening sun. The last one pushes the hardest at the moment.

 

[Shibui]

So if I understand correctly those small leaves will not return?

The small leaves were growing from the grafted branch which now appears to be dead - bare branches inside the red circle.
The current live branches are growing from the trunk below the graft and come from the root stock which is a different sort of ficus that grows those thick roots but has larger leaves and longer shoots. The leaves may be larger now but if you can build ramification - branches with lots of sub branches and twigs - the leaves will gradually reduce in size. Probably never as small as the grafted bit but should still look OK.

@leatherback has given great advice. Your tree is weak. Pruning now will weaken it further and you really want strong response after pruning, not weaker.
34C is mild. Ficus can cope with much hotter so being outside is not a problem in summer. Just take note of the warning about leaves burning. Just like our skin, leaves can adjust to different sun strength. At the moment those leaves have no inbuild sunscreen and will likely burn if suddenly exposed to direct sun. If exposed more gradually the leaves will be stimulated to make more internal sunscreen so make the change to sunlight gradually over 2-3 weeks, starting with an hour or 2 of morning sun and a little longer every few days. It is not the temperature that burns leaves so much as the UV though dry trees will also get burnt leaves.

I suspect your tree is also starving. How often have you been fertilising? Ficus love nutrients. They are gross feeders so give it some fertiliser every week or 2 while you manage the transition. The extra nutrients will help rebuild vigour and strength.
You will probably need to water a bit more when the tree is outside. Even when not in sun the soil will dry more quickly because of wind and drier air as well as higher temps. Fortunately, most ficus are quite dry tolerant so not likely to die if you let it get a bit dry occasionally.