bisco_bonsai

Great suggestions, I have been contemplating just sawing that sucker off anyway and starting frest. I would like the primary branch to be a little higer, maybe a graft could be in its future. I'd rather have a well-ramified, believable bonsai that looks just as good in the winter as it does in the summer. Just to clarify, for ramification, when I trim back the new seasons growth after wiring to the "first bend," does this mean leaving a little "stump" of a brach with a few buds for backbudding to develop tertiary braches, and thus ramification? Have I got that right? I've read about leaving only two leaf pairs per year on new growth; I'm not sure if this is what you are referring to but it sounds like the same concept. Also, some of the "small" branches when wired left that unnatural, annoying little hump at the brach collar where it just looks like someone bent it down. By starting over and just using new growth, I think I can also eliminate this. Anyway, thanks again for all the suggestions guys.
All the best,
JDL