Yeah I believe the water thing for sure. Mine is still in the clay/sand mix it was potted in, and backfilled with DE for stability as it was a little wobbly.
Everyday I just fill it to the brim with water until the DE is in a puddle and it's been pushing like crazy.
I've tried to add more and more bend to it, but I couldn't really get the bottom to bend more without fear of snapping it lol I believe I will try to air layer next spring. Right above that lowest branch you see here. And then try a major bend technique on that lower trunk.
The section above this area has a nice curve to it along with a potential jin in that area I snapped to begin with. I think it'll be a good start of a tree of I can get it to layer.
Any suggestions on which time of year it would be best to start the air layer?