Features of a cascade? My Variegate Cork Bark P.Afra Cascade

[cbrshadow23]

This is one of my variegated cork barks that I bought from Frank Yee's garden. Frank at the time was growing out several trees as cascades, which he didn't do a lot of over the years. This one originally stuck straight outward (horizontal) because of where it was placed in the garden. I wired that branch downward and tried to give it some movement and then left it alone all winter. I'd like some advice from the group on what would improve this tree. I'm open to major wiring to add movement, a harsh chop, etc. I keep these pretty dry, so adding movement with wire is pretty easy. My trees are kept in a climate controlled greenhouse with strong grow lights..

- What should I do to improve this tree?
- What features does a 'correct' cascade bonsai typically have?

Here's a quick video of the tree.

 

[just.wing.it]

Some still images from all four sides would be nice.
From that look, I think I would cut off the long cascading branch somewhere near where that wire is looped around it and the pot, and wire some of those remaining cascade branches over so it's not so one-sided.
It looks kind of weak too.
I'd repot if it's been several years.
If it's not super weak, I would also cut back every branch to the first pair of leaves to push it back and start some more dense branching.
I've cut mine back to no leaves before with no problems.
Cool plant though.
Are the variegated ones generally weaker growers?

 

[Carol 83]

Totally agree.

 

[Shibui]

What features does a 'correct' cascade bonsai typically have?

Not sure there's any such thing as correct cascade. They seem to come in all shapes, sizes and styles. The only common factor is a trunk that dips below pot level.
Cascade trunks can be straight (formal) or bent and twisted (informal).
End of the cascade can flow away from the pot or bend back in front of the pot.
Cascade can be single trunk or multi trunk.

Teachers used to say the trunk should not rest on the pot. Not sure if that's current thinking or not.

A couple of things I try to beware of in cascades:
Strong, upright apex seems to compete with the cascade trunk for both nutrient and the viewer's attention. Smaller or absent apex is much easier to style and looks better IMHO.
Branches and trunks should match. Twisted trunks feel better with twisted branching, straighter branches are OK on straighter trunk.

 

[cbrshadow23]

Some still images from all four sides would be nice.
From that look, I think I would cut off the long cascading branch somewhere near where that wire is looped around it and the pot, and wire some of those remaining cascade branches over so it's not so one-sided.
It looks kind of weak too.
I'd repot if it's been several years.
If it's not super weak, I would also cut back every branch to the first pair of leaves to push it back and start some more dense branching.
I've cut mine back to no leaves before with no problems.
Cool plant though.
Are the variegated ones generally weaker growers?

I appreciate your feedback. I figured a chop was necessary soon but wasn't sure where, so that helps.
The tree is in a weakened state as I've been treating it in a way that promotes corking. That treatment also prevents much healthy growth, but is temporary and these trees always fling right back as soon as I give them nicer conditions. I'll start giving it better conditions now so that it becomes vigorous before the chop.
Yes, variegated ports are weaker growers than the standard variety, but they can be full and vigorous just the same. IMO they burn much more easily so they do best with softer lighting.

Thanks