Growing Plumeria in Japan

Yutaka Shirakawa, M.Sc.(Agr.)

www.tropical-village.co.jp First of all Thank you very much for inviting me such a wonderful opportunity to share our Japan’s Plumeria culture with worldwide Plumeria lovers here in Naples

www.tropical-village.co.jp Poor English Ability

Please speak slowly if you have questions. Thank you for your patient!

www.tropical-village.co.jp My Profile

Yutaka Shirakawa • Born in May 28th, 1973 • Graduated Graduate School of Agriculture, Nihon University. • Studied Tropical Horticulture & Bio-Resource Science – Master of Science (Agr.) • Worked at Japan’s largest Flower Auction Market so called ‘Ota Market’ for 10 years. • Used to live in Holland as ‘Researcher’ dispatched by Japanese Gov. • Owner of Flower Exporting Company ‘Bloom Japan Network Co. Ltd.’ • Co-owner of Farming Company ‘Tropical Village Farm & Nursery, Inc.’ • Married with my wife Chieko (Farm Owner/Farm Manager) in 2013 • Two sons

www.tropical-village.co.jp My Big Bosses…

My wife Chieko (Farm Owner) & Sons (Farm Security Officer)

Chieko Shirakawa

Papillon & Chinese Crested Dog www.tropical-village.co.jp About Environment in Japan

- Long-shaped land -

• Long-shaped land makes various climate zone in Japan from cool zone to sub-tropical.

• North is very cold climate and it is similar like New York & Boston

• Climate in Tokyo is similar to Las Vegas

• Climate in Okinawa Islands is similar to Miami

• Ground Planting is only possible in Okinawa Prefecture in Japan (Sub-tropical island in south)

www.tropical-village.co.jp About Environment in Japan

- Four Seasons Country -

• Spring

Starting wake up Plumeria around April – early May

• Summer

The best Growing Season in Japan (3 months)

• Autumn

Going to dormancy season from November

• Winter

Leaves dropped off, dormacy season

Minimum temperature becomes zero degree or much colder in Tokyo. We only have 3 moths of best growing period for Plumeria in Japan

www.tropical-village.co.jp Background about Plumeria in Japan

- Most popular Hawaiian flowers for Japanese tourists - • 1.5 Million Japanese tourists are visiting to Hawaii every year • Higher % of repeating tourists than other destinations • Higher % of Rich people / high-end consumers • Learning Hula Dancing is very popular hobby for ladies in Japan

• Getting more and more Plumeria lovers in Japan • But most of tourists who purchased cuttings in Hawaii failed rooting due to lack of knowledge about how to grow plumeria. • That’s why we have started consumer support.

www.tropical-village.co.jp Our Farm • 5 Greenhouses • 3 layers Propagation Unit with heating element bed. • Sample flower Garden • Kitchen with Restaurant & Bar license

www.tropical-village.co.jp About Our Farm -Supply

- Tropical Village Farm & Nursery, Inc. - • Growing Hawaiian Flowers & Plants • Hosting farm events (e.g. Lei Making, Hawaiian Music Live, Workshop etc) • Importing / Growing Plumeria Thailand – 2 Suppliers United States – 2 Suppliers The Exotic Plumeria / Florida Colors Nursery Indonesia (Bali) –Starting with 2 Suppliers in Bali this month

Growing / Importing around 5,000 Plumerias | Over 100 varieties Focused on premium market

www.tropical-village.co.jp About Our Farm –New Supply

• Bali Plumeria is coming soon to Japan legally • Got export permit to ship plumerias to Japan from Indonesian government with my business partner (my another business / exporting Japanese flowers) who have export license in Indonesia

www.tropical-village.co.jp About Our Farm -Activities

- Supporting Consumers / Customers via Website & SNS- We are hosting Plumeria lovers community on Facebook and also providing information at website to support beginners.

• Plumeria.Club Website http://www.plumeria.club

• Plumeria.Club Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/plumeria.club

This group is managing together with several top hobbyists in Japan

www.tropical-village.co.jp About Our Farm -Activities

- Member of Plumeria.club, Japan’s Plumeria community on Facebook

Nothing but want to try Just started this year

1 to 3 years experience

4 to 6 years experience

7 to 10 years experience

Over 11 years experience

Tried before but failed…

www.tropical-village.co.jp Want to see and know more about Japan’s Plumeria world?

Join our Plumeria lovers community on Facebook right now!

• Plumeria.Club Facebook Group Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/plumeria.club Plumeria.club

I give you 1 minutes to complete your subscription….

www.tropical-village.co.jp Our Farm Plumeria Planting Workshop • Hosted workshop for beginners to teach how to plant & grow plumeria.

www.tropical-village.co.jp Our Farm Latest Greenhouse • Built in December 2015 • 3 Layers Plastic film • Heating System • LED lighting • Planted Plumerias on ground

www.tropical-village.co.jp Our Farm Market Place • Selling cuttings & bare rooted plants from Thailand, US and Bali Plumeria coming soon. • Visitors are coming from nationwide www.tropical-village.co.jp Our Farm LED Lighting • Started trial from 2015 with small area in greenhouse • LED lighting brings much earlier wake up before spring

www.tropical-village.co.jp Our Farm Flat Grafting with 8 years old seedlings • Grafting with big seedling plant makes bloom very fast after grafted.

More information about grafting will be available later…

www.tropical-village.co.jp Major Farms in JP Shiki Flower Farm • Located in Saitama prefecture • Growing Jungle Jack’s varieties only • Growing 20,000 plumrias

www.tropical-village.co.jp Major Farms in JP Ichikawa Engei Farm • The 1st Flower Farm started growing Plumerias in Tokyo area. • Growing NOID varieties mainly for volume sellers • Started producing fresh Plumeria flowers www.tropical-village.co.jp Top hobbyists in JP Mr Suzuki • Located in Chiba, Greater Tokyo Area • Growing Plumeria over 30 years • Built his own tall greenhouse by himself. www.tropical-village.co.jp Top hobbyists in JP Mr. Koji Shitomi • Located in Chiba, Greater Tokyo Area • Growing Plumeria over 20 years • Owns high-tech greenhouse.

www.tropical-village.co.jp Top hobbyists in JP Mr. Kenichiro Onitsuka • Located in Miyazaki, Kyushu Island (South) • Growing Plumeria over 200 varieties • Japan’s No.1 Plumeria variety collector www.tropical-village.co.jp Top hobbyists in JP Mr. Hamada • Located in Mie Pref. (West Japan) • Growing Plumeria over 20 years • One of the most active hobbyist in West Japan www.tropical-village.co.jp Top hobbyists in JP Mr. Seiichi Yamaguchi • Located in Kanagawa, Greater Tokyo Area • Growing Plumeria over 25 years • Most experienced plumeria hobbyist in JP

www.tropical-village.co.jp Grafting techniques in Japan

- JP Style Flat Grafting -

• Created by Mr Yamaguchi, most experienced hobbyist in Japan.

• Flat Grafting Manual has been released with Tropical Village Farm & Nursery, Inc.

• Beautifully connected with mother plants & cuttings

• Thanks to grafting manual, many plumeria hobbyists are now started trying to graft Plumeria cuttings because we can save growing time for making the 1st blooming compare to regular way (planting cutting to pot)

www.tropical-village.co.jp Grafting techniques in Japan

- Examples of Flat Grafting Works -

• Required Tools

- Ethanol, Cutter Knife and Grafting Tape

www.tropical-village.co.jp Grafting techniques in Japan

My prank to save broken flower stem…

www.tropical-village.co.jp Organic Fertilizer for Plumeria in Japan

- Amazingly well blooming-

• Name of Fertilizer

Happy Plumeria (Organic Fertilizer)

• Key components balance found by Mr Yamaguchi, most experienced hobbyist in Japan after long years time of examination by trial and error.

• Updated by Tropical Village Farm & Nursery, Inc. in 2016 (Add one more components)

• N:P:K = 6:9:7

• Various microelement (Organic)

www.tropical-village.co.jp Organic Fertilizer for Plumeria in Japan

- Amazingly well blooming-

• Root is coming up to ‘EAT’ fertilizer

• Appearance of 1.5 times bigger sized leaves

• Appearance of Much stronger flower color

• No root damage as its very mild organic fertilizer

www.tropical-village.co.jp Some of introduction about Japanese Plumeria Community

www.tropical-village.co.jp Plumeria Society of Japan

• Aka ‘Plumeria University’ in Japan (PU) • Japan’s plumeria hobbyists society • Providing growing topics & JL Plumeria variety information via Website & Facebook Page. • Introducinh Jim Little Plumeria (JL) cuttings produced in Hawaii • Joining to several major Hawaiian Event to provide place to exchange information between members and selling JL Cuttings as well. Plumeria University

https://www.facebook.com/plumeriauniversity