Kiyozuru Itoigawa from Chikugo-en

[Brian Van Fleet]

In the summer of 2019, our family vacation was to the LA area, and I managed to work in a visit to Chikugo-en nursery, owned by Gary Ishii. The elusive ‘Kiyozuru’ variant of the Itoigawa was brought to the USA by Gary’s father, Mas Ishii. Gary really didn’t have any other information about it, and he was down to only a few left. It does seem like the provenance of the Kiyozuru can be traced back to Mas, but really no further. So I bought one from original source material.

Hang on a bit while I load up some progression posts.

First up is the Kiyozuru as purchased. Gary’s daughter was kind enough to set up a makeshift studio for me to photograph it.


For comparison, here is an Itoigawa there as well. Tempting, but the goal was Kiyozuru.


Outside the wall of the nursery.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

In the Spring of 2020, it was repotted into a drum pot while I considered fronts and design ideas.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

In the spring of 2021, it had acclimated and grown well. I settled on the front shown above, but the trunk was really straight after thr nice little bends at the base, so I decided to put some wiggle in the trunk.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

In the Fall of 2022, I styled it for the first time. Since I was interested in propagating this from cuttings, I left everything longer’ so it looked a little strange when finished. The rebar trunk bending turned out well.

Before the work started:


Adding some Shari to the trunk:


Wiring complete and branches set:

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

In Spring of 2023, I repotted it to reorient the planting position. Then let it grow all season until mid-September.

Unwired:

Finally cut back (zero cuttings survived out of nearly 50 struck):

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

The planting position didn’t look how I wanted, and didn’t do much for the movement of the base.
July 2024, it has been allowed to grow unchecked, and unwired.

Runners removed:

Undersides cleaned up, weak stuff removed, and thinned out just a little:

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Still not happy with how it looked, I started to consider removing lower branches, and accentuating/exposing the trunk and it’s movement…
Took a night shot:


Doodled out the lower branches:


Digitally positioned the planting angle:


Yep…that should work.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Today, before:


The deed done:


Tilted up and testing the Hokido pot I’d love to use with the tree:


Jins created from the stubs:


In the fall, I’ll plan to wire the branches, and go for a repot in Spring 2025 at the corrected angle.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

So far, I don’t love the growth patterns of the Kiyozuru. The foliage is feathery but clumps in elongated tufts that would be better suited to a larger tree. The growth habit is far slower than Itoigawa or Kishu, and the branches don’t seem to develop great taper. Cuttings are challenging, but I do finally have 6-8 living that were struck in September 2023. Today I struck another 12-15 and we’ll see if any make it.

 

[leatherback]

Nice tree. Now.. I am not sure I understand how Kiyozuru is different from other itoigawa. Any thoughts? What are the benefits?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Nice tree. Now.. I am not sure I understand how Kiyozuru is different from other itoigawa. Any thoughts? What are the benefits?

The growth pattern of the foliage is different, but the color is very similar. It thickens up slowly, and the branches get leggy and lack taper.
Here is a branch of Kiyozuru:


Comparison of foliage, Itoigawa left, Kiyozuru right:

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

One more pic after sunset, at the anticipated planting angle.

 

[Carol 83]

Your progression threads are very educational and informative. Thanks for taking the time to show us what can be done and how to do it, for those of us less experienced.

 

[Veebs]

The growth pattern of the foliage is different, but the color is very similar. It thickens up slowly, and the branches get leggy and lack taper.
Here is a branch of Kiyozuru:
View attachment 557618

Comparison of foliage, Itoigawa left, Kiyozuru right:
View attachment 557619View attachment 557620

I can’t find almost anything on the web about this variety that wasn’t written by you

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Above was from mid-July, below are shots from September 3 and October 3; crazy growth compared to my other shimps right now.

Odd time of year to be growing so strong, and the branches are not really thickening up yet.

 

[Veebs]

Above was from mid-July, below are shots from September 3 and October 3; crazy growth compared to my other shimps right now.
View attachment 571329View attachment 571328
Odd time of year to be growing so strong, and the branches are not really thickening up yet.

I just got three 1-gallon Kiyozuru in from Lone Pine Gardens. Starting the journey.

 

[Bu-Jetjet]

@Brian Van Fleet great progress (as usual). Would you happen to have any updates regarding the cuttings? I'm interested in purchasing some and shipping them back to Southern California. PLEASE.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

@Brian Van Fleet great progress (as usual). Would you happen to have any updates regarding the cuttings? I'm interested in purchasing some and shipping them back to Southern California. PLEASE.

A few are taking, but you have the OG source in your backyard!

 

[Bu-Jetjet]

A few are taking, but you have the OG source in your backyard!

But I want the BVF (phenomenon) mutation!

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

But I want the BVF (phenomenon) mutation!

Looks like the sky’s the limit on what those would go for.