CodeMonkeys Cryptomeria Japonica #1

[CodeMonkey]

Here's a little cryptomeria I have.
I've had it for a few years now. The movement low down is great.

It puts out masses of growth each season but doesn't want to thicken in a container.
I have zero experience here. Should I persist, or would this one be better in the ground?

 

[0soyoung]

The SOP for thickening trunks is to let it grow. Foliage makes the stuff that grows branches and trunks. For bonsai purposes it is a shoosing/making a sacrifice leader on which you grow as much foliage as possible without shading the foliage of your to be (or not to be ) bonsai. With cryptos, like most species, the highest branch tip will wind up 'in charge' to be the leader/sacrifice.

Of course, the trunk and leader will ultimately become one basically taper-less tube, so you will have to cut back to a branch and do it again to make the trunk taper. Or, you'll bend into a bunch of curves while you can, then cut off the sacrifice. ... maybe do both.

 

[CodeMonkey]

Or, you'll bend into a bunch of curves while you can

Cheers for the advice, that's basically all I've been doing so far.
I was just surprised at how little the trunk has thickened compared to my other trees with similar growth.

I'll probably just let it keep going another season or so before a cut back.