Relatively new to Bonsais; just bought a Ficus.

[Kelsey]

The tree is currently 3 inches tall and in a small, 2 inch tall pot, a Ficus according to the little tag.

Right now the soil is covered by small rocks that seem to be glued down, stuck together somehow. Is this good or bad? When I need to repot, how do I get the tree out of there?

How much fertilizer should I use and how often? Every site I read gives different information.

I know it's supposed to be outside during the summer; I have a closed-in porch. Will it be OK out there instead of outside? The floor-to-ceiling windows face north, east, and south and are kept open most of the time.

Do you have any other tips for me?
I've killed quite a few Bonsais before due to bad instructions and I don't want to make the same mistakes this time.

Thanks =)

Oh, while I'm posting;
I just bought a young Money Tree. I have a few others but they were all more mature and already potted, wired, had braided trunks, etc. is there anything special I need to do with this one?

[ynot]

Welcome Kelsey,

The tree is currently 3 inches tall and in a small, 2 inch tall pot, a Ficus according to the little tag.
Right now the soil is covered by small rocks that seem to be glued down, stuck together somehow. Is this good or bad? When I need to repot, how do I get the tree out of there?

Bad, Remove the glued on rocks please. They keep you from determining if the soil is moist or not as well as limiting aeration of the soil.

A picture would be most helpful here- [url=https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3557]Photo tips are here.[/url] [I am guessing but...] This is most likely what is termed a 'ginseng ficus' [Ficus retusa] Does it look like [url=https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4194&highlight=ficus]this?[/url]

Does the pot have a drainage hole? It is required that it does.

How much fertilizer should I use and how often? Every site I read gives different information.

This is because the requirements, Stages of growth/development and environments of bonsai vary and no single answer could cover all the possible situations.
See these two sites. https://www.bonsai4me.com/Basics/Basics_Feed.html [Note the articles about watering, Soil and beginners care as they will be relevant to you.]
https://www.evergreengardenworks.com/fertiliz.htm

I know it's supposed to be outside during the summer; I have a closed-in porch. Will it be OK out there instead of outside? The floor-to-ceiling windows face north, east, and south and are kept open most of the time.

Right you are, Though this sounds adequate.

Do you have any other tips for me?

Keep researching are you familiar with these sites?
https://www.evergreengardenworks.com/articles.htm
https://www.bonsai4me.com/Basics.html
https://bonsaihunk.8m.com/cultural.html

I've killed quite a few Bonsais before due to bad instructions and I don't want to make the same mistakes this time.

Everybody kills trees....Everybody.

Oh, while I'm posting;
I just bought a young Money Tree. I have a few others but they were all more mature and already potted, wired, had braided trunks, etc. is there anything special I need to do with this

By mony tree, Do you mean [url=https://images.google.com/images?q=%20PACHIRA&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi]Pachira[/url]?

I mean no offense by this but personally I do not consider them to have bonsai potential as there is considerable difficulty getting anything that resembles 'branching' on them, Combine this with the predominately vertical growth and over-sized compound leaves and it is really difficult to make anything resembles a tree you know. Easy care little plants though.

If you need some bonsai inspiration, [url=https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3343]See here.[/url]

ynot