Ficus Nitida bonsai help?!

[annaelizabeth23]

I just bought my first bonsai, a Ficus Nitida (so said the tag). I bought it from Walmart, so I don't know if the pot is right, if the soil is right, if I am caring for it right, ect.

Here is some info:
-It is a little over 1 ft. tall
-There are a few root-things going from tree to soil
-The pot is plastic and pretty small
-The leaves are dark green, but there are one or two yellow leaves

There is thick moss covering the entire surface of the soil. I think it looks nice, but will it affect the plant's ability to breathe?

Any information would be greatly appreciated! I really want this bonsai to thrive.

A picture:
[img]https://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj2/annabender23/DSCN0889.jpg[/img]

[IndorBonsai]

At least you don't have the rocks glued over the top of the soil like mine did when I got it from the same place I Had to re-pot mine into new soil and a real bonsai pot as soon as I got it home.

The moss might not hurt anything on your tree, it just makes it harder to check the soil. I would use the toothpick method for checking when to water, This link will help explain how to water your tree.
https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1479

Yellowing leaves are normal when your tree is adjusting to its new home/ environment. If you give your ficus proper lighting ( A area that gets good morning sun and filtered sun during the rest of the day) like a south-east facing window. Your tree will adapt to its new home, it will grow bigger leafs if it needs more light. Don't move it around to much, find a place that gets a good amount of light and leave it there so it can adjust.

Your soil will probably hold moisture for along time,( normal for box store bought trees). Just make sure to give a drying period between waterings. Don't over water. Watering your tree to often will cause root rot and kill your tree. The toothpick method mentioned above, explained in that link, work really well for beginners.

[annaelizabeth23]

Thanks alot for the advice, I will definitely use the toothpick watering method!

[bonsaiboy]

I would inspect the soil as to make sure it is usable (it isn't a heavy, peat based soil). If it is, then you will need to change that. Ficuses can handle a great deal of organic compounds in the soil, but peat is to much for most. Here is a website that details most of what you'll need to knowhttp://www.bonsaihunk.us/cultural.html

[BonsaiPyro]

Hi I have a Ficus Nitida also

[url=https://s549.photobucket.com/albums/ii365/dragondude_2009/?action=view&current=001.jpg][img]https://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii365/dragondude_2009/th_001.jpg[/img][/url]

this is wat it was in before

[url=https://s549.photobucket.com/albums/ii365/dragondude_2009/?action=view&current=002-1.jpg][img]https://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii365/dragondude_2009/th_002-1.jpg[/img][/url]

:it's about 6 in' tall
:new leaves emergeing constently
I moved it into the smaller pot to keep the roots from spreading out to far idk if it will work but I tryed