Thank you for sending me those links, I really enjoyed reading through your experience with this ficus. I am in an area that generally rests at about 95% humidity 11 months out of the year, but no, its not quite the tropics.
You make a good point, I won't be reaping any satisfying rewards with this tree for a while. I would still like the challenge of developing it into a real bonsai, but I think I will look into other, faster growing subjects.
I have seen some cases of Albizia julibrissin or mimosa being used for bonsai. I have several of these growing on my property and can attest to how quickly they spring up and grow(whether you want them to or not). I have been considering potting one of the saplings in my yard and seeing what I can do with it, I believe they should be in a dormant stage right now. At the very least I know its something that grows extremely well in my region.