Tropical Mimosa Critique/Progression

[chuckwc1]

Please help me progress in developing this bonsai, will appreciate your opinion on styling or horticulture.

Just to save everyone some time, here are things I'm planning on doing or know I could have done better:

• I put this in a pot too early. This was only my second tree, and I jumped the gun on potting it in a real pot.
• My plan is too put this in a Pond basket this summer, and let it really grow out. Then do some serious pruning before bringing it in next winter.
• Above where the old trunk chop needs more thickening before I start thinking about secondary branches too heavily.
• I know I didn't do a good job wiring.
• This needs more branches. Planning on getting a large canopy for this tree.
• I want to make this tree healthier this summer. Keeps getting bad scale infections over the winter, been doing what I can.

And some info on the tree:

• This is a 'Tropical Mimosa' or Leacuna Leocephala that I received from Wigerts in the summer of 2020.
• As you can see, I've attempted a Saikei or Penjing style jungle planting. I'm relatively happy with the experiment, but not planning on continuing it this summer when I repot. I have some ideas on how to achieve a similar effect when it's more developed, and hopefully execute this idea much better. Probably some sort of slope/creek bed thing, in a less normal pot.
• The leaves close up at night/when touched.

 

[tangledtanuki]

I would remove the wire firstly. I would be afraid that all that wrapping around the trunk will cause some kind of cut along the trunk. It might be a pain but ordering a bigger gauge wire and then wiring would be the first thing I would recommend so as not to kill the tree. I like the idea of putting it in the ground.

 

[Potawatomi13]

Personally a fan. Some hate compound leaves. I find graceful, beautiful. Can be made more "acceptable" on larger tree of 3' plus.

 

[Carol 83]

I like the idea of putting it in the ground.

It is a tropical tree and he lives in St. Louis MO.

 

[alivation]

ah I see you’re gonna do pond basket. Great idea. That’ll definitely help with thickening it up. It might shock it bringing it back forth between environments (mimosas are super popular where I am and they are everywhere). But it should handle it fairly well. I don’t see much wrong with this plan. Just be careful if early spring.

 

[chuckwc1]

Personally a fan. Some hate compound leaves. I find graceful, beautiful. Can be made more "acceptable" on larger tree of 3' plus.

That is definitely something I'm recognizing as I go forward. This tree needs to be upsized a few times to look it's best,