I'm not sure, Paul, but I've always done the same...turn the side to the sun where I want
new growth to initiate.

I've heard that there are products that will stimulate growth.....it might have been
Ryan Tree on this Forum discussing it with his Ficus....

Josh

I'll look at some of Ryan's post to see if I can find the discussion.
If after a couple of years if there is no growth I may try making a raft.
In the mean time I hope someone that has tried and had luck, good or bad, with this procedure will post their experience.
If anyone knows of other procedures that may help please jump in.
Paul

If anyone is interested Al gave a nice critique on stimulating branch growth on the maple forum under the same subject of posting.
Paul

Posting Al's answer from the maple forum.
Planting the weak side toward the south (N of the equator) will help. Spraying a weak fertilizer solution on the bark in the area in which you'd like greater branch density is very helpful. Pruning roots on the current strong side but leaving roots on the bare side to grow unfettered will help channel the tree's nutritional resources to the weak side. The best way would be to promote lots of fine rootage by way of a full repot and root pruning this spring at the onset of bud movement. Allow the tree to grow wild for the entire summer. As noted, spraying the tree where you want buds every 2-3 weeks with either a fish emulsion solution or weak soluble fertilizer solution would be very helpful. If the tree is healthy & growing well going into dormancy in fall of '12, cutting the tree back hard in spring of '13, and you can cut it back so hard you're left with a trunk line only, will cause buds to pop all over the tree.

Experienced bonsai practitioners wouldn't be as concerned about branch placement (yet) as they would be about the trees nebari (buttressing and surface root system), the caliper of the trunk, and trunk taper. During the first few years, the artist's focus would be would be primarily but not exclusively on developing a strong nebari, as well as encouraging trunk thickening and chopping back to build taper into the trunk. Selection and development of 1-3 of the primary (lowest) branches would also be included as something to work on. During the first few years, roots can be grafted onto the tree in strategic locations via approach grafting or thread grafting of seedlings to the main trunk. If a branch refuses to grow where needed, you can also employ thread, in arch, and approach grafts to be sure the primary branches are located appropriately.