lucR wrote: ... i thought we all agreed that this kind of mallficus is not a bonsai, etc etc...?

Yeah, but it's so repetitive, writing the same thing over and over again

lucR wrote: ... i thought we all agreed that this kind of mallficus is not a bonsai, etc etc...?

Would it be appropriate to label this Ficus a pre-bonsai if the intent is to work on it and develop it into a bonsai later?

Assuming OP repots it into an appropriate soil mix, bonsai pot, and trains it, I believe it can be a nice bonsai.

I’ve attached a picture of my own Ficus that somewhat resembles that of OP’s. It needs some work but eventually may become a nice bonsai; at least in my eyes... But then again I may be biased since it’s one of my own .

Seeparks, yours certainly is.
My comment was for the mass produced ficus ginseng witht the typical 3 fat roots and another species of ficus grafted on top that are labelled and sold as bonsai.Your cat will also never be a dog even when sold and labeled as dog....

seeparks wrote: Assuming OP repots it into an appropriate soil mix, bonsai pot, and trains it, I believe it can be a nice bonsai.

You have that typical deviation: you don't look at what it is, but what you think it can become, even if that's a challenge.

You too forget the audience you are talking to. It's just not realistic. It's not the same as your ficus - but also, you cannot expect that someone who is not growing bonsai but killing houseplants will be able to transform it into a bonsai. Ficus Ginseng (the fat root, grafted ones. I'm not talking about the species but about the way it is formed) is just not a good plant to grow bonsai from, especially not for beginners.