【Visiting a Branch Producer】
A visit to the production site of flowering azaleas, a precious branch that brightens late spring

Tanashi azaleas and Benikiri azaleas are staple floral materials in late spring, around April. These valuable branches are consistently available in both quality and quantity during this season.

We visited the cultivation site in Bando City, Ibaraki Prefecture, in early March, when the remnants of winter still lingered.

Every year, from January to April, we deliver flowering branches.

SiKiTO's branch subscription service delivers flowering azaleas to many people as the culmination of the flowering season. While large-flowered azaleas are commonly seen as street trees, their distribution as cut branches is considered somewhat rare.

While we deliver seasonal branches throughout the year, the most challenging time to procure branches is around April.

During this period, when flowers are finishing and new green shoots are emerging, we search for branches of good quality and stable supply, and it was flowering azaleas that we finally found.

The most commonly handled azalea this April was the Tanashi azalea, with its charming small, crimson flowers.

Its name comes from the fact that it was widely cultivated in the Tanashi area of Tokyo (now around Nishitokyo City), and azaleas are still cherished as one of Nishitokyo City's official flowers.

This March, we were able to visit a flowering azalea cultivation site.

This time, we visited a veteran producer in Bando City, Ibaraki Prefecture, whose family has been in the business for several generations.

The azaleas, lined up in rows in the field, are harvested row by row, so the height of the branches varies from one row to the next.

After harvesting, only the cut ends of the plants are visible from the ground. It takes about five years for them to grow into branches suitable for shipment.

Plants are completely bare after harvest

Young trees in their first year are susceptible to cold and insects, so regular care, such as diligent disinfection, is necessary.

Fertilizer is adjusted based on climate and soil conditions to prevent damage to shallow roots and discoloration of leaves.

A characteristic feature is that the plants are more densely packed compared to other branch types

In the summer, they face the arduous task of manually removing fast-growing weeds in the scorching heat, and when sudden downpours occur, they worry about rapid soil dampness and root rot, all while maintaining vast fields.

The increase in pests over the past few years may not be unrelated to the extreme heat.

Some are as tall as a person

During harvest season, branches are picked when the buds begin to show color, ensuring they will be in optimal condition when they reach customers. They are then stored at temperatures below 5°C to control blooming while awaiting shipment.

Despite all this effort and time, only about two-thirds of the harvested branches can be shipped. Branches that are misshapen or too short must be discarded, a harsh reality unique to naturally cultivated products.

Mossy branches are ideal for expressing the antique charm and strength of old wood in flower arrangements

Although the shipping volume of flowering azaleas has been declining, we were told that the volume for SiKiTO has increased in recent years, and we cannot help but be grateful that they have preserved these valuable fields for us.

We shared our required quantities in advance, and they proceeded with a planned harvest.

From the producer's perspective, large branches are difficult to carry and are not best-selling items at typical flower shops. However, they added that the story changes with a branch subscription service, which allows direct delivery to those who want them.

There are also magnificent Japanese cornelian cherry trees in the field

We will continue to learn from branch producers to contribute to both bringing beautiful scenery into our customers' lives and supporting the continuation of businesses passed down through generations because "there are people who would be troubled without it."

 

Just wait at home, then display. Branch subscription service

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