Field workshop on early blooming cherry species in Takao mountain
Date: 21st March 2025
I planned and carried out an observation event for early-spring plants such as early-blooming cherry blossoms at the Tama Forest Science Garden at the foot of Mount Takao in Hachioji City, a suburb of Tokyo.
In 2025, the early-blooming cherry blossoms bloomed late, and we were only able to see some cherry blossoms, such as Hachisukazakura and Kanzakura, but we learned about the differences between the wild species of cherry blossoms and cultivated variety such as Satozakura, as well as how to read botanical names.
We learned on how to create varieties from seedlings, and how to create varieties from branch mutations. We also learned about the differences between registered varieties and other varieties.
Although there were only a few in bloom, we also learned about the characteristics of early-blooming varieties such as Kanzakura, and the difference in the blooming period between single and double petal varieties.
We exchanged opinions on strategies to preserve the offspring of species including Anemone japonica or Mimigatanantensyo Arisaema limbatum, and how to distinguish between violets that are difficult to identify.
