What should I do with this

[Simple190]

I have a ficus that has a dead graphed part. Since it’s spring, I’ll be keeping it outside for the rest of the summer. I was told that the leaves will always be big because the branches grow out of the main root, but I want to make it more compact so it looks neater. Do you have any ideas? Also, should I repot it?

 

[rockm]

I have a ficus that has a dead graphed part. Since it’s spring, I’ll be keeping it outside for the rest of the summer. I was told that the leaves will always be big because the branches grow out of the main root, but I want to make it more compact so it looks neater. Do you have any ideas? Also, should I repot it?

That’s not how bonsai really works. Making the tree compact involved hard pruning. Cutting long shoots like those on your tree pushes the tree to make more new show ts on old wood. That increase in shoots genera increases the number of leaves which are generally smaller. More sun exposure can also help keep leaves small. Generally however reducing leaf size is THE LAST thing to work on with a bonsai

Increasing ramification (twigginess of branches) working on developing a good nebari are both high on the list

However getting the plant healthy and growing is the primary job #1 for any bonsai. All the subsequent work relies on that. Your tree is weak. Repotting it won’t change that. Consistent knowledgeable watering and other basic care is needed. It is a good step to keep the tree outdoors. Do that all summer. Give it a lot of sun in the am and a bit of shade in the afternoon

 

[Shibui]

Large leaves is the least of your problems now. With proper care, leaves will become smaller as mentioned above however I differ from @rockm in repotting. I suspect the tree is weak BECAUSE it is in poor soil and has been left sitting in water too much. As such, not likely to improve while left in that soil so I would repot as soon as you have warm weather which should be now? Remove any obviously dead or diseased roots and repot in a more open 'bonsai' type soil mix. Then follow up with good care.

When the tree is healthier - maybe next year? - you can cut the long branches really short. Ficus are good at growing new shoots as you can see from what's happened when the grafted top died. After hard pruning a healthy Ficus will explode with many new shoots which you can use to develop the tree branches and canopy.

 

[oranjeaap]

I think he means the leaves Will be bigger because they grow from the root which can be a different species with larger leaves than the graft.
I would probably repot it in more suitable Soil, Read up on how to water and feed it properly, and just make sure it thrives so it will survive winter, and then finally do more drastic styling next spring. During winter when the growth slows down you have a couple of months to decide which branches you like and which you don't and you'll have time to think about what style you would like for this tree. You can go in a couple of totally different directions but all of them will require drastic cutting and the tree doesn't really look like it will survive that right now.
ChatGPT can give you very accurate instructions on soil and watering btw.

 

[leatherback]

ChatGPT can give you very accurate instructions on soil and watering btw.

best waste of energy ever to use chatGTP for silly care questions.