This is a tropical plant and should be kept indoors all year long. You can bring it outside in Summer though, to get fresh air and sunlight. This is a ficus microcarpa stock grafted on a retusa trunk.
This tree was bought 2 years ago, the roots were trimmed, the soil changed to a bonsai mix, the tree planted in a contemporary bonsai pot, and the branches wired and trained horizontally. The tree looks just great in an office or a living room. Just keep it in a bright spot and water it regularly, and it should thrive. Here are the general care instructions:
Light:
It requires a bright location; a south- or west-facing window is ideal, or very close to an unobstructed window in winter. Avoid harsh midday sun on the glass to prevent leaf scorch, and rotate the tree every 1–2 weeks so it grows evenly.
Watering:
Water when the top 1–2 cm of soil feels just starting to dry, then water thoroughly until it drains from the holes. Keep soil slightly moist but never soggy; reduce frequency in winter (around once a week) and increase in hot, bright weather (around twice or three times a week).
Temperature:
Aim for 18–29 °C, and avoid letting it drop below about 12–15 °C for any length of time.
Fertilizing:
Use a balanced liquid bonsai or houseplant fertilizer every 2 weeks in spring–summer, and every 4 weeks in autumn–winter if it is still growing. Always fertilize on damp soil (never bone-dry) and at the dosage on the bottle or slightly weaker.
Pruning:
Let shoots extend to 6–8 leaves, then cut back to 2–3 leaves to maintain shape and encourage ramification. Remove crossing, overly thick, or downward-growing branches periodically, and you can lightly trim all year if the tree is actively growing and conditions are warm.
Repotting:
Repot every 2–3 years in early spring or when roots circle the pot and drainage slows. Use a well-draining bonsai mix (e.g., akadama-based or similar) and prune back roots moderately, then keep in slightly shaded, protected conditions for a few weeks afterward.
Troubleshooting:
Yellow leaves plus soggy soil usually signal overwatering; let the soil dry a bit more between waterings. Sudden leaf drop often points to temperature shock or a big change in light, while weak, leggy growth indicates too little light; brown crispy edges usually mean underwatering or very low humidity.
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