Bonsai Progression - Ficus Retusa

I acquired this Ficus in Novemeber 2008 for a birthday present and is the only tree I have in my collection (alive) that I have to bring indoors during the winter for protection. It came to me like many other Chinese mass produced mallsai i.e it has various wiring markings, rootbound, and was potted in fully organic compost. Sadly the tree was neglected over the next few years as I lost interest in bonsai due to various reasons (change of schools, has exams and I was lost on how to improve) but remained alive.

In early spring of 2011 it had its first repot in at least 3 years -probably many more- and was potted into another fully organic soil moxture. During that time I examined the tree and found it has a serious case of scale insect so I allowed it to grow freely for the majority of spring and summer and treated it with systemic insecticide.

In early August, after many months of free growth the tree had recovered from its scale infection so I decided it would be ready for its first styling. Some how I seemed to have lost the before pictures but this the picture after a really hard prune, basic wiring and some guy wiring on the heavier branches.

Side View - August 2011