I was asked for an update on my Religiosa plants. I still have a few large plants. If anyone wants a rooting let me know and I'll start them. I apologize for not answering the other posts, I lost my internet connection during that time. Here is a link that might be useful:

Hi, don't remember last conversation, but it's such a great start with that trunk. Did you remove any leaves in early summer to see if new ones would come in smaller or are you waiting to do that another year? In spring, eliminate all branches that aren't 'the' bonsai, unless you're going for a large canopy look and definitely choose between the two (or at least shorten one) on the left that are threatening to be two leaders. Can't wait to see it next year!

The best ficus advise anywhere is www.bonsaihunk.us/cultural.html - along with a lot of advice in general on growing tropicals.

Of course it will start to branch when it's ready - all trees begin to branch when they start producing more energy than the growth rate of the main stem (and roots) will allow it to use. Think of water being poured into a funnel as the energy the tree is producing (leaves/photosynthesis). As the volume of water being poured into the funnel increases, at some point the funnel will overflow. It's the same with the tree's energy allocation. You can speed this process along by tampering with hormonal flow. Removing the growing tip (apical meristem) truncates any branch and forces the tree to activate dormant buds (usually in leaf axils (crotches) behind the pruning cut. Al