Although secondary branches are important. Anyone that works with mame or shohin know what a challenge it is to achieve this with good proportions. Its not like you have a 1 foot tree where you can develop elaborate branching. Mame and shohin tend to be a whole different animal. If you want to keep this tree this size, it will have to mostly rely on primary branching. Keeping those primary branches alive, constantly producing healthy foliage and keeping foliage close to the trunk will be the challenges you face. I like the original angle and view for this tree. The tree will bush out this season which will be good. As long as the trunk is visible and the branches do not get too long (permanently), this tree will always be a nice little tree. However, as we know, trees will not stay this small. In about 5 years, this tree will move into the shohin range. regardless whether you want it or not. At some point, when a branch gets long, you might be able to cut back to create a different branch end. As far as pots. when using a pot with 3 feet, one foot usually goes directly in the center.
One part of this tree's training might involve cage wiring. Cage wiring is basically regular wiring, but looser and more for directional purposes. Under normal conditions, you wire a branch when it has hardened off or has age to it. However, with mame and shohin, sometimes those options are not as prevalent. Take this tree for example. It is not much bigger than yours. If I remember correctly, the right half of the apex was cage wired. Also, prepare yourself for the branches to spring back after the wire is removed. Young trees want to grow. You have a nice little tree there. Here's hoping it will still be nice, but not so little, in about 300 years.
Rob
