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Hi! I'm brand new to the bonsai world, and was recently given a bonsai tree which probably came from Walmart or a similar store. The soil was bone dry and the leaves were yellowing... but anyway, I want to get started fixing it up and raising it properly, but I have no idea what kind of tree it is. The leaves are alternating. It appears to be extremely young and it doesn't look like it's even been treated like a bonsai at all. If someone could just help me find out what kind of tree it is and possibly give me some beginner guides on what to do with it that'd be great. I included an attached picture. Here are my biggest questions:

- The tree is in some kind of chalky, absorbent clay pot which is about 3 inches deep and 4 inches wide. Is this ok?
- I don't know anything about what it needs in regards to soil, other than it needs to have gravel for aeration. I'd like some tips regarding soil. It looks like they used regular garden soil...which is now hard as a rock...

Thanks!

first of all that is not a bonsai, but this is more of a houseplant. The species is ficus benjimina, or weeping fig.

Oh ok! Thanks. Looks like I'll have to find another, more legitimate bonsai then.

The point of a bonsai is to make the plant look like a tree, and this just looks like a shrub put in a pot. (I did my best to not sound offensive/harsh)

No, you're good, you didn't sound harsh at all. So...is it possible to turn this into a bonsai? Or is the plant itself just not something that can be "trained" into looking like one?

Ficus benjamina is in fact one of the Ficus varieties that can be trained into a reasonable facsimile of an old miniature tree. They are suitable for indoor cultivation and grow quite quickly given decent light warmth and humidity. Yours is quite young, let it grow on for a year or two then see what you can do regards training to look more tree like. Best repotted into a free draining soil mix (50/50 organic/inorganic) and make sure the pot has drainage holes. I have four, bought from a supermarket 2 years ago every cheaply and I am surprised how well they have developed. But it may be many years before I call them 'bonsai', if ever!

Dave

okidoki. I misread the first comment, but I think I get it now. Thanks for the advice!