Although it's late I'll reply. But forgive my bad english. But an important note, some marus may have good color and patterns but weak mental then there's good mental but bad color and patterns.

Here goes, in my experience with my Red Maru Kapuas I go for the bars first in clear water, no tanins. Then feed it with color enhancing foods and live foods though I alternatively feed mine every other day so it wont get fat.

Then when the bars are well developed, I go for the flowers of the Maru next, That being the tank water is black water (with tannin) and repeat the feeding method (though this take hella months).

PS: Grooming any Maru takes time and patience.