AusBonsai

Got this baby at a nursery today It was half price at 117 AUD. I couldn't resist that trunk! It seems to be pot-bound for sure with roots coming out the top and circling. It is autumn here so no time for a repot. I'll mulch it with the other pre-bonsais.

Come this spring I'll chop it hard and maybe some light root work(?). The fat one going to the left is an obvious candidate for the new leader and maybe one of the right-side branches can become a first branch? Thoughts?

If it were mine..... I’d to it differently, I’d cut it back now and that way have new growth to choose from in Spring. If you wait to do it in Spring the energy the tree puts into growth you are going to cut off is wasted. Also that left branch is very thick and straight you won’t be able to manipulate any movement into it. First check i’d the top of the roots to decide the best front then decide on a future style and cut accordingly. Thats what I would do if it were mine.
Cheers
Kirky

Thanks a lot for your reply Kirky! I spot an opportunity for me to learn here
I kind of got stuck in the prune in spring mantra...
As I understand:

Cutting now
Pros: The tree is in an energy positive, hence won't lose as much from the lost tissue.
Cons: The wounds won't heal as rapidly, possibly becoming an entry point for bad stuff.

Cutting at bud swell
Pros: Quick healing and growth spurt.
Cons: Lose the energy accumulated in the cut branches.

Anything else I should consider? As it stands now, I'll do as you would ---> check soil line+front, cut now.

My thoughts on the straight left branch was to cut it to only about 2 cm and hopefully work with a new bud from there?
I really appreciate the discussion as I am very new to bonsai.

Picked up this "training pot" for my Viburnum today at the dollar store.
The plan is to, come spring/bud swell, give it a light root prune/untangling. Later I plan to try the so called hedge pruning method on this one.

I'm cold just looking at your photos Per! It doesn't help that it's currently 16C here though - this is the mildest summer we've had in a loooong time.

We've actually had a record breaking warm past year and very mild winter so far (not over!). It's only -5C today.
(I'm originally from the northernmost part of Sweden (Zone 1) where we once had a winter with -47C. Your eyelashes would freeze to the eyelids.. )

We had a summer with +47C a year or two ago, I think I prefer that