Ok I'm bad... I couldn't resist the header, but you know how dear a friend you are and a little ribbin' will do you well...
This lil guy just shows leaps and bounds of progress. I'm glad you had someone to help you through the process, and given all the comments and thoughts you recieved with your first effort, obviously it did not fall on deaf ears. The tree has so much going for it, it'll be exceedingly nice in short order.
I look forward to seeing what you will do once you get your hands on some bigger stock. Put away your pennies, and buy the investment trees which will make you proud. Don't settle for what gives the instant fix of wanting to make a bonsai. You and your trees only deserve the best.
There are many things I have gotten in the fervor to have bonsai that I now scratch my head over, but it's like a pet. You have to be in it for the long haul or until you find it a safe permenent home. lol I am more choosey now, and don't regret that at all.
Not that everything I pick now is big stock, it isn't. But there is a clear and definant purpose to each purchase, each commitment.
I love watching you learn and grow, even as I do myself. Ash put it well when he said you are possesed of the ability to learn, and a willingness to listen. So much the better for us all, to be sharing in this with you.
I'm so pleased you shared, and look forward to seeing the leaps and bounds I know will surely be present in even your next effort.
All my best as ever,