KZitzewitz

Some of the books I have been reading show some great ways or what trees look like after they have new buds grown to make a new tree. one book has an azelea in the exposed root side that is kind of an orange pink, and the other is the bonsai handbook by david prescott. take a look at these in your local library or bookstore, just glance through them to see what things they do, those are just a few.
also just as a suggestion, if you go to lowe, home depot or some of those other places (fred meyer if you have one) have nice either wood, or that cardboard/peat pots that are huge enough to use as training. for soils, I would use a bonsai-ish soil if they are to be potted, that way it gets used to the soil, but the components are more readily available then you think, if you go get some turface, and orchid bark (fine grade) I think the lot (at least here is oregon) will see you back 15.00 and you will have enough soil for several plants.

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--Kristopher