Well, this little tree was bought for less than 5 Euro.
Leggy, but with a certain taper, and healthy.
The trunk was chopped last season, to increase back budding, which luckily happened (it is still throwing many new buds low down).
It was pinched last week (the apex and higher old needles), and will winter rest for three months.
Never mind the wiring, they are on the sacrifice branches and I'm being lazy not taking them off.
So, for the next step, to be done in the next season, I want your opinions.
WARNING: LOUSY PHOTOSHOP AHEAD!
Please follow the options (IF these are options at all):

The tree as it is today:



.
01- First chop option with sacrifice branch and jin:



.
02- Same chop as 01, planted in a different angle:



.
03- Down chop, no sacrifice branch at all, but a jin:


.
ALL comments very welcome!

secret option nr 4. Let the current sacrifice branch run for another 2 years, doubling the main trunk, then reduce it.

leatherback wrote: secret option nr 4. Let the current sacrifice branch run for another 2 years, doubling the main trunk, then reduce it.

Yes, the obvious.
And live with this ugly thing for a couple of years...
Oh, my...

I like option 1. Clean.

Option 2 is interesting but looks more like a table lamp.

Option 3 is totally out for me.

Dont touch it and let it grow for another 2 years.
Then cut the main trunk and leave just the left branch.
Then let it grow for another 3 years.

Why would you want to burn this :S

Auk wrote: Why would you want to burn this :S

Thanks for commenting, Auk.
There are some considerations though, the first being that I used "burn it" as an euphemism for "put it in the ground and forget about it".

But if a tree has no logical potential at all, (NOT this case, as the tree surprisingly back budded way down on the trunk and first branch, and there is hope after all), it seems a waste of time and money.
As you know, Akadama, Biogold, Micronutrients imported from Germany, etc are not cheap.
I will play the waiting game as suggested and let it thicken before doing any radical action.

Clicio wrote:

Auk wrote: Why would you want to burn this :S

There are some considerations though, the first being that I used "burn it" as an euphemism for "put it in the ground and forget about it".

Ah.. a typo. You meant "bury it".

But if a tree has no logical potential at all, (NOT this case, as the tree surprisingly back budded way down on the trunk and first branch, and there is hope after all)

It has foliage very close to, and low on the branch. I do see possibilities.

As you know, Akadama, Biogold, Micronutrients imported from Germany, etc are not cheap.

Potting soil and Japanese split are and some fertilizer from the gardening center. I do not use the expensive stuff on my potensai (long time since I've seen that word, by the way).

UPDATE on my ugly JBP!

After a season of untouched growth, it is *very* healthy and ready for our "winter".
As you all can see, the growth low down is now hardening and I can already start to make plans.
The main trunk didn't get as thick as I had hoped for, but I can always wait another year.
Comments welcome, of course!

The tree today


The lower growth.