I've got roots starting...I would imagine I need more established roots...so I'll let it continue to grow them in the water. But...honestly I don't know if I need a special soil to plant this in for a bonsai...if I need a humidity tray...or what I may need to turn this into something similar to the weeping bonsai that is in the first photo. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I have to agree with all who have mentioned that sasanquas will get to a tree-size more quickly than japonicas. I think you could go with any color, given what I see of your house. One of the best-looking sasanquas I'm noticing locally is 'Kanjiro'. One neighbor has an especially attractive large shrub/small tree in the front yard that is good-looking all year, but a real show-stopper now that it's covered with flowers. 'Setsugekka' is a good-looking sasanqua also, and that photo of 'Pink Snow' is very nice indeed.... 'Masterpiece Pink' was born in the Lake Charles area & has a reputation for having attractive foliage & getting tall rather quickly- for a japonica, that is... If you like 'Pink Perfection', the pink, formal MP flowers might appeal to you. Another pink formal double that hails from Slidell is 'Tammia'- I rather like the shape & shading of the miniature flowers, but I believe that it's growth rate is 'medium', so not a speedy grower. As you mentioned, you would need to find a fairly well-established plant if you choose almost any japonica. 'Pink Perfection' AKA 'Otome' is a classic garden plant & will branch nicely, but I don't know how large it gets. There seems to be at least 2 different 'Pink Perfections' out there, so if you decide to buy for the flower, try to get a look at the bloom before you buy. It might be a good idea to test your soil before you plant anything new there. If the fatsias died, and the CM is languishing, there could be a soil deficiency? Here is a link that might be useful: LSU Ag Center info on soil testing

Fagus Sylvatica 'Purpurea Nana'-Small tree form " " 'Purple Pendula' Weeping smaller plant 'Purple Fountain & Black Swan' Weepers with leaders that go up on their own. 'Tortuosa Purpurea' Contorted growth 'Ansorgei' Shrub form with strap like leaves that green out a little more that the others. From my experience 'Ansorgei', 'Purpurea Nana' and 'Purple pendula are the slowest with 'Purple fountain' the fasted. 'Coenosium Gardens' website has pictures of many of theses selections. David

Yes, it should. Often upright conifers are taken as 'side branches' from the mother tree, so when it is grafted, sometimes they still think they are a 'branch'. Eventually, with proper staking, it will get the idea and head upright on it's own. I staked mine for two years but last year it finally showed clear intent to head straight up and I removed all stakes/training. Goodluck! :) -Will