Kazuto Omatsu, Omatsu Kinshoen bonsai garden in Ayagawa town, grows many Nishikimatsu (cork bark Japanese black pine) trees by cutting. The scions have been cultivated for 7 or 8 years after cutting and most of them are shipped to Kanto region. Shohin trees whose height are between 13 and 16 centimeters are popular. Some people order the Mame bonsai about 7centimeters.

Name “Fuji”

Kinshoen is known for creative bonsai. The late Rikimatsu, the first generation, developed the original variety “Nankai” in 1928, and the late Hajime, the second generation , did “Fuji” and “Yamato” in 1959.

Kazuto and Yasuo, the third generation, grow only “Fuji”. This is the Yatsufusa family and easy to bud. In addition, it’s early‐ripening variety and the bark burst soon. They grow about 20 “Fuji” trees which are about 60 years old in their garden as mother trees, and make a cutting with the graft from the trees. Every year, they make about 7 thousand cuttings and the percentage of rootage is 70. In the beginning of April, they put a graft in the bed and cultivate it about 3 years. After that, it will be transplanted to a field and cultivated for 2 years. Then they plant it in a pot, and make a shipment in the autumn or the next year.

Graft Goyomatsu to Nishikimatsu

In this garden, the first generation mainly had grown Nishikimatus by graft, but they changed to cultivate by cutting about 20 years ago. The way can save the trouble and improve efficiency for producing a large number of bonsai. Kazuto quit his office job for working at his garden 15years ago and now tries his best for cutting.

Kazuto also grows Neagari of Nishikomatsu. About 5 years ago, he started to grow trees by graft using a stock of Nishikimatsu and grafts of Kuromatsu (Japanese black pine) “Kotobuki” and Goyomatsu (Japanese white pine). The stock is cultivated by cutting.

Kazuto says , “Nishikimatsu is easy to get the ancient look and Goyomatsu can save the trouble. So both good points can make a wonderful tree. It will be easy to take care and keep the quality. I try to cultivate more.

(By Shigeo Hano)