Too big ‘too little’

[MrFancyPlants]

I wanted to grow this one up and even toyed with the idea with making it house-plant sized. I thought the small leaves might really pop on a larger tree. I don’t want to kill the design and at a conundrum as to which branches to lose and which leader to pick. The natural growth habit on these can be frustrating.

I just trimmed it back to better see what options I have. Any ideas?

Future plans, maybe a ground layer and then move to a larger pot. Maybe repot first as i’m not really sure what I am working with under there. Cloudy with a chance of potatoes.

 

[Forsoothe!]

I wanted to grow this one up and even toyed with the idea with making it house-plant sized. I thought the small leaves might really pop on a larger tree. I don’t want to kill the design and at a conundrum as to which branches to lose and which leader to pick. The natural growth habit on these can be frustrating.

I just trimmed it back to better see what options I have. Any ideas?

Future plans, maybe a ground layer and then move to a larger pot. Maybe repot first as i’m not really sure what I am working with under there. Cloudy with a chance of potatoes.

You've got nebari and taper and lots of well-spaced branches. If you air layer, you get what you've got, less the nebari. I'm no savant, but I can feel the vibes of a champion in there. I'd wire every branch and move 'em around into layers. Don't break anything shooting for the moon. It is a good size now and is in good proportion so growing bigger is not an improvement. Denude it twice a year and repot twice a year for refining your design. There's a bonsai hiding in there, seek and ye shall find...

 

[Shibui]

I agree with having a proper look at the roots. I can't see good nebari in the photos. All I can see is one huge root growing out to one side. Good nebari needs more than just one strong root.
Can't see enough of the 3D movement of trunk and branches to give an opinion on the best trunk. Looks like there is a place to cut down if you feel the need to reduce height but the shape is not bad as is. More trimming and maybe defoliation to get ramification will make a big difference.
Try thinking of the apex as a collection of smaller, upright twigs. That will give a rounded canopy rather than aiming for a pointy top.

 

[sorce]

I like your ground layer idea.

Worth keeping that small.

I like the branch placement.

Not every tree needs a "new leader".
It's an overused concept that creates mostly shitty pine (actually spruce, but we keep calling it pine, like morons) style trees.

Sorce

 

[amcoffeegirl]

If it were mine I would trim it back a little all over and place it in a shallower pot.
Start working the roots a see if you can get them to spread out.
Once you do that then you can start to design the top.
A little wire now to rearrange the branches wouldn’t hurt.
It’s not a bad tree tbh

 

[Cadillactaste]

Maybe a photo of it from more eye level? I myself have one of these. What it offered up in one year was amazing. Must not take branches below horizontal level or they will die off. Adam Lavigne shared that tip. It has potential...and I agree. I think overall you have something. You may not need a new leader.

 

[Cadillactaste]

To me looks like a fun slant possibly.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

Pardon the terrible photos. This one has recovered from winter season well, and is way overdue for a repot. I need to take a look at the roots as was recommended some five years ago. I have been trying to grow it out to a large size, but it is set back every winter because it doesn’t fit in my LED enclosure.

I just gave it a trim today, so I won’t repot back into the same pot until it has had some time to show growth. It should like the long S.C. Summers.