Plum blossom bonsai (梅花盆景) is mainly created in a naturalistic style, combining both flower appreciation and the aesthetic of the trunk. When shaping the branches, it's essential to focus on enhancing the flowering performance, ensuring the tree not only has beautiful blossoms but also a well-formed trunk and branches.
For the best flowering, it is recommended to use mature, smaller branches that bloom. These branches are often shaped into long, deer-antler-like branches (roka-shi) or multi-tiered branch structures, which create a layered, harmonious appearance. The ideal form for a plum bonsai is one with thick, sparsely placed branches that evoke a sense of age and strength.
In traditional, structured plum bonsai designs, the main trunk and primary branches are often shaped using a "dragon curl" (游龙彎) style, where the curvature of the trunk is valued more than its straightness. This technique highlights the elegance and grace of the tree, giving it a dynamic, flowing form that reflects the ancient beauty of the tree in nature.
