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| Mitsubishi Chemical Agri, Inc. |
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| May 2005 |
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| A bottom-watering planter that gently moistens the desiccated city |
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| Hana saki rakuda (Easy Flowering) is a uniquely named, fuss-free planter with innovative functions and performances. It was originally planned by the Japan Highway Public Corporation, which then launched a joint research project for its development. The process until merchandising, and its present situations will be introduced here. |
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| What is the product like? |
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With its water-tank functions, Hana saki rakuda literally implies that it is a planter that helps flowers bloom with minimum fuss. The polypropylene planter comprises of the body (tank) and an upper lid. Users only need to set the special cassette-type flowerpot, which contains a specially designed culture medium and fertilizer, on the upper lid. The special culture medium is compost mainly containing high-quality peat (soil turf before turning into coal). For fertilizer, we have selected the IB chemical fertilizer produced by Mitsubishi Chemical Agri, Inc., which has been recognized as a safe fertilizer with slow but lasting effects. Hana saki rakuda is designed to feed water stored in the tank to the cassette pot, by the capillary phenomenon of the intermediary water-absorbing mat (see illustration). This system automatically stores rainwater, and relieves you from watering for about one week in summer (outdoor under the fair weather) and for more than one month in winter.
The following four types are now available:
(1) Hana saki rakuda, Size L
Size L is available in three colors (granite type, brown and chocolate). Stores approximately 30 liters, and can house a hearty amount of plants and flowers. |
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 Hana saki rakuda, decorating the entrance of a shop
(Ben's Café, Tokyo) |
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(2) Hana saki rakuda, Size M
The color variations are the same as in size L. Stores approximately 20 liters, and is suited to decorate narrow sidewalks, stairs, balconies, etc. |
(3) Hana saki rakuda, Floating type planter
Floating type planter is available only in size L, granite type. Floats are attached to the upper lid, thus allowing the planters to float on a pond. Watering is unnecessary, since the planter naturally pumps up the pond water. Suited to decorate otherwise bleak water surfaces, and adopted at parks, wedding centers and golf courses.
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Hana saki rakuda,
Floating type planter
(Taikoyama Land, Toyama) |
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Hana saki rakuda
Stonework type planter |
(4) Hana saki rakuda, Stonework type planter
Stonework type planter is available in sizes L and M, and in colors gray and cream white. As the upper lids come in the same sizes of current planter models, size L is capable of storing up to 50 liters, while the newly available size M, 35 liters. This product has an unimposing design, fitting into both Japanese and Western surroundings. |
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| How was the product developed? |
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Hana saki rakuda was developed by the Japan Highway Public Corporation with the cooperation of the Fertilizer and Inorganic Chemicals Division of Mitsubishi Chemical (formerly known as Mitsubishi Kasei Corporation), to save the labor of managing flowers and plants that decorate the toll gates and service areas on highways. Traditional planters had problems in that: 1) water management was laborious, 2) culture medium needed proper balance of nutrition, pH (hydrogen ion concentration index), etc., 3) implanting and removal were laborious, and 4) culture medium had to be sterilized and replaced to avoid overcrop problems. The corporation therefore started tests and studies to produce a more energy-saving and practical planting system. In the development of the new product, Gifu Plastic Industries cooperated in the planter technology, and DIA-TOPY INC. (present DIA-ENGEI INC.) in flowers cultivation, with RYOKA NOGEI CORPORATION (present Green Group, Marketing & Sales Department, Mitsubishi Chemical Agri, Inc.). Thus after combining a bottom-watering planter and a cassette-type flowerpot together, and saving labor in every process of plant watering, Hana saki rakuda was born. The development was followed by various studies such as investigating water transpiration rates, comparative tests of water-absorbing mats made of different materials, selection of culture medium suitable for the bottom-watering system, establishing the flower/plant cultivation technology, among other painstaking work. Finally, the product was released in 1991, and at the same time, applied for patent (jointly applied by Gifu Plastic Industries, the manufacturer). The patent was certified in 1999. |
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| Who are in charge of the product and how is it sold? |
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An example where Hana saki rakuda (Size L) is used at an event site. With little maintenance, beautiful- flowers and plants can be displayed throughout the event period (Kaiomaru Park, Toyama). |
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The team of Hana saki rakuda is established under the Green Group of the Marketing and Sales Department at Mitsubishi Chemical Agri, Inc. People in charge of the product conduct research and development, sales, and all other related tasks. Prefectural representatives of our nationwide branches also engage in sales and marketing of this product. The cultivation of seedlings is entrusted to five contracted producers across Japan. Some flower plants have received the Tokyo Metropolitan Governor Award at the National Flowers Show. |
The product is primarily used by the Japan Highway Public Corporation, public agencies and municipalities, as well as at large events and parks. Almost one million flower seedlings that go with the planters have been sold annually. As plants are alive, handling of them entails much difficulty. Their growth is largely dependent on the weather. Prolonged cloudy weather slows down the plants' flowering process and makes them susceptible to pest damage. To provide solutions to such problems, we continue the quest for stronger species, and strive to develop new types of flowers and plants.
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Hana saki rakuda planters decorating the Toyota Interchange
(Guardrail hooks and special construction materials are used.) |
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The use of the planters has been adopted, decorating the surroundings of EXPO 2005 AICHI, Japan, which opened on March 25, 2005, and access roads to the event site. Planters placed along the guardrails at the Exit of Toyota Interchange are particularly eye-catching. Hana saki rakuda was also used at PACIFIC FLORA 2004 (the International Garden and Horticulture Exhibition held in Shizuoka Prefecture), being adopted by the Pacific Flora Promotion Department of Hamamatsu City, Tourism and Convention Department of Hamamatsu City, and the Yutoucho Town Hall. During the event, Hana saki rakuda planters were placed along the access roads to the exhibition site, as well as in the Kanzanji Spa area. |
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Mitsubishi Chemical Agri, Inc.
6-7 Kaji-machi 3-chome, Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0045
TEL: [+81] (0)3-5289-0300
Hana saki rakuda accomplishes:
Easy watering, easy planting and easy carrying;
It needs no fertilizing, soiling or bottom cleaning;
Fill your city with seasonal flowers using Hana saki rakuda!
For further information, please contact:
Green Group, Marketing and Sales Department
Mitsubishi Chemical Agri, Inc.
TEL: [+81] (0)3-5289-0313 |
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