Hi, actually, having some root exposure (as long as they're woody and spread out relatively evenly around the trunk) is considered attractive in bonsai. If yours has most concentrated (bunched) on one side, or one out of proportion to the others that's a different story, but still I'd leave things open a bit, rather than burying them. Your leaves are large because they're trying to grab the most available light, and what you need is either a good south window, or a small full spectrum light (a fluorescent's ideal), but be careful of things just called 'Gro(w) Lites" as not all are good for much. And the more hours (up to 16 a day) you can give it strong light, the better. Also put a wide high-sided (1") tray of water and pebbles under the pot for humidity, but never let the water reach the pot bottom. Your soil is wet near the bottom if nothing else, and what you need is something peat-less, which most potting soils are not, though a coarser particle type from a garden center would help if you mixed it ~60/40 (40% soil, 60 grit) with grit - chicken grit from a "Feed' store, or small size aquarium gravel, and/or a mix of thirds also using perlite. I would not defoliate this year, though if your tree is healthy next June, you could do a partial job (only maples can withstand 100%) and more the next year. The most expert advice will be at www.bonsaihunk.us/cultural.html.

Yeah, I meant to mention that it's the unattractive type of root exposure. There's one really fat root (which actually looks to me like the trunk was bent when it was younger) jutting out from one side. It really looks off. I thought about letting it grow until next summer and then planting a few smaller figs in there and letting them mesh together as they do, to produce some nicer-looking aerials. I don't know; that's all far into the future. My main thing right now is getting some better soil in there to try to keep it from being over-watered. Thanks a lot for your advice, and thanks for the link!

I was recently was given a Ficus Benjamina that had been neglected for some time and your description happens to describe my little guy to a tee.

The first thing I did was replace the soil with a better, fresh mix of premixed "tree" soil with a fired clay product. Adding a course sand element would be great too. I just didn't have any at the time. I raised it in the pot to expose some of the root structure.

Yeah, it's not great looking just as you describe yours, but at least I can see what I really have to work with. I too plan to graft some root structure to one side.

Good luck with this. I love ficus trees. :)

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