clip and grow

I was reading through this thread here about wiring, and it encouraged a debate about clip and grow. I think it would be worthwhile to highlight some of the merits of this bonsai philosophy. Pro-wire folks regard clip and grow as one useful tool in their toolbox, but I'm intrigued by this...

So, here's a rookie's progression thread: Earlier this year I got a Pitangueira / Surinam Cherry bonsai, and promptly chopped it to near-death in a pruning mishap (I meant to chop above a branch, but didn't account for the concave cutter going deeper -- rookie mistake). I put it to the side and...

This is a crape myrtle (CM) I picked up at local nursery a little while back: I love the bark and nebari looks good, I thought... After consulting w/ the GREAT @Stickroot , I decided to heed his advice and chop it back...keeping only the small trunk untouched, thinking I might make it a...