Hello Bonsai empire community!

I am new to both the forum and bonsai care and therefore hope I can find some guidance and ensure my bonsai is doing okay. I am 20, currently living in the UK, I was bought a Chinese elm around 2 years ago and although I have taken care not to over water and to fertilize, I pruned for the first time today as I am not overly confident with my knowledge of bonsai care. For months now there has been an additional growth in my Bonsai tree’s pot- I don’t know whether this is another plant or tree and wondered if I should remove this or not? I have also been noticing a damp smell coming from the pot and am seeing white fluffy growths within the soil- I wonder if this is mold and if this is normal, harmful and whether it can be treated? I am also unsure whether or not I should repot my bonsai, I fear that the plant has become to big for the pot?

I have included some pictures and welcome any help or guidance people could provide. Thank you in advance:)

The white stuff is mold... the green stuff could be moss or algea. the other things look like a weed of some kind.. I think your tree is a tiger back fig. It is difficult to tell from the pictures, but it seems healthy.. has it been loosing leaves or anything?

have a look at this: www.bonsaiempire.com/tree-species/ficus it might give you some insight into your plant.

Hi, Thank you for your reply!

Is the mold harmful? And should I get rid of the weed? I feel as though it might drain the tree but it looks so pretty I’m reluctant to remove it:( No it’s not been losing leaves, in fact it’s been growing in abundance, I pruned this morning but I fear I might have removed too much, I’ve included a picture of what I’ve cut today. Otherwise the leaves have remained healthy and green. I’d estimate that I’ve pruned around 1/3 to 1/2 of the foliage so I’m quite concerned that this was overkill.

That’s very interesting, I’ll definitely look into tiger black figs, thank you for the information!

Beckmat wrote:

Is the mold harmful? And should I get rid of the weed?

The mold and algae are an indication that you are overwatering.
The soil however looks very compact and looks like it doesn't drain properly - so it holds too much water.
Can't see what the plant is but it does look like weed and I'd remove it.
Your plant is not a Chinese elm, it is a ficus.
Doesn't look like you pruned too much. You just didn't prune it right if you want to make a bonsai out of this.

So do you think it would be beneficial to repot the tree with soil that is less compact and maybe with more drainage?

Ive just looked at pictures and I definitely agree- it does look like a fiscus, Thank you for pointing this out as hopefully now I can care for it better.

Thankyou again for the information

It's an overwet Ficus, and the green stuff is a weed that should not be there, it spreads very quickly.

Thank- you for the reply!

What would be best to do to rectify this? (The overwetness- as in should I just slow up watering or take more drastic action like a repotting or letting the soil dry out)

only water it when the soil becomes dry to the touch, and i would wait for re-potting till spring.