Sequence question for A. brassii

[noahdendron]

I have been busy doing some basic structural wiring many of my (hopefully) future native bonsais before I let them grow out and develop trunks. But this Asteromyrtus (previously Melaleuca) brassii has me a little confused as to which way to go. I suppose that given the lack of lower side branching, I might be best to let this tree grow and then dock the trunk above the lower major branch. Should this lower side branch then be trained as a continuation of the main trunk, and if so, should I start to give it a little shape with wire? I had a formal upright style in my head but I am up for anything with this one.

A.brassii1.jpg

The plant is currently 700mm high and I do not wish for any of my future bonsai to be over 1000mm in height. I appreciate any opinions.

[Ash]

I have a similar Asteromyrtus brassii that I wired, let it set, removed the wire and then planted it in the ground two years ago. My idea was to put some shape in the trunk, grow it on, chop it back, do it again. It has not grown as much as I expected and is probably only about as big as yours after two years from a tube cutting. I seem to remember it shot of one of the three main stems when I wired it.

Ash