Serissa - Suggestions welcome.

Any input on direction for this serissa would be appreciated.  Also, any tips regarding the creation of jins would be appreciated.  Have not worked with much soft wood such as this.  Thanks.

I don't care for the slingshot effect. I would lose the right hand trunk & develop the other.
Iris

Ooh, I hate to disagree w/ Iris since I respect her opinion so much but I would keep the one on the right, but cut the left back to the first or second bud. Leave a stub for now and when it has strengthened, carve in a nice transition and you will have a very strong and interesting first branch.

Thanks,
David

I have to agree with fancyplants, the right side looks like a more natural continuation of the trunk. You could also turn the stubs into something really interesting if you have a head for carving.

Hoo,

this is one of those plants that perform best in the ground, with the basket technique.
You get the main branches first and create the branchlets in a large pot, before shifting to a bonsai pot.

Soil needs to remain freely draining.

Wood will never become durable, and so if exposed will rot away, and the shrub can also follow the way of the rotting section.

Allow it to flower for a month and then cut back beyond the flowering zone, to allow for several months of green. Otherwise it tends to just keep on flowering and nothing else.

Please note I am writing from the Tropics.

I am sure you will figure out a design and so I have no comments to make on that situation.
Best of luck.
Khaimraj

Folks . . . we are weary from moving posts with questions from Bonsai Discussion to Bonsai Questions.  

PLEASE be aware of the purpose behind each forum.  There is a sticky at the top of each forum that indicates what messages are intended for that forum.  (For emphasis, we have revised the one for Discussion, but it doesn't seem to help.)

You can help us make the IBC a happy place for everyone by periodically reviewing those stickies.

Many. many thanks.

On this tree, I don't think it really matters which of the two arms are chopped and which are left. In any event, I would shorten whichever remains a LOT and start developing some kind of taper.

Thank you all for your replys thus far.  I will let her grow freely for a bit, gain some strength and see if something catches my eye.
My apologies for posting in the wrong section... Was just making sure you were on your toes.

Khaimraj, If the deadwood will not work due to rot, even with treatment, should I do something to the large chop locations in order to prevent future problems?

Hoo,

when this shrub is growing strongly, wounds can heal. You can get between 3 to 5 inches on the trunk, in so many years of free growing.

Why not grow three other efforts and study what happens on your side of the world. By the way this shrub is able to handle winter in New Jersey, Margate Island.

You might also wish to look at your root formation [ the eagle's claw.]
Good Luck.
Khaimraj