Ray Nesci technique: 5 years later

Five years ago, I published a blog post about a technique shown by Ray Nesci at "Bonsai by the Harbour 2009" (left image above, for details see: http://lomov.blogspot.com.au/2009/07/ray-nescis-tecnique.html). Last month, I got a chance to see this Azalea after a five-year period (image above left). I think the technique works and the resulting tree has the potential. The technique allows to achieve thick trunk and fully formed branches in a relatively short period of time.