Good plant, mediocre results — what went wrong with my Ficus Bonsai

Ficus Bonsai is clearly a great plant — I can see that from other people's results. Mine has been decent but not spectacular, and I think I know why.

I underestimated the importance of wiring branches during the growing season while wood is flexible in the early stages and paid for it. drying out and death from missing a day's watering in summer also knocked the plant back at a critical point. It lives in a dedicated display stand at eye level for appreciation which is probably not quite right but it's the best I can do in my space. deeply personal relationship between artist and tree is visible but muted. repotting temperate species in early spring before buds break gave me hope — there are glimpses of what it could be. Three stars for now with potential for four.