I decided to cut the layer on this, its been successful, lots of roots, some were getting thick and hard.
i never intended this to be a raft of sorts, but the branches/trunks are all in good places, the trunk is mediocre by itself or as a twin trunk, so i think the extra weight adds to the image. one main trunk and 4 thinner ones. the base will get betrer over time. everything covered up now.
i did tease out a little moss but left most of the ball intact.
secured in pot, used some heavy wire to arrange thick primary branches.
nice shape to build on and something to look at and enjoy until leaf drop.
got nice movement in all the trunks