▼ Futamura Green Service's new business format "YOKONI PLANTS" opened in October 2021.
Futamura Green is a long-established foliage plant store that has been in business for over 80 years, starting with the rental and sale of foliage plants. The location is conveniently located 15 minutes by car from Nagoya Station and 25 minutes from central Sakae, and has 3 greenhouses of about 300 sq.m., a farm, and more than 3,000 pots of ornamental plants.
All plants are directly purchased by their staff who visit the production areas. They have a large selection of attractive foliage plants, such as one-of-a-kind plants, plants with a presence that will become symbolic trees, and plants carefully selected through a network of foliage producers.
This time, we asked Mr. Takahashi of Futamura Green about how to grow and choose, how to incorporate it into the interior, and so on.
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More than 3,000 stocks are always stocked
on a vast site of about 300 sq.m.
When we arrived at Futamura Green, the first thing that struck us was the size of the grounds. This is probably the only place in Nagoya where you can see so many greens on such a large site.
Most of their clients are specialists in the Tokai area, such as florists, landscapers, interior coordinators, interior stores, design offices, construction companies, and model rooms, but individual visitors are also welcome. However, we recommend that you call in advance if you plan to visit, as staff may not always be available.
Outdoor foliage plants are lined up outside.
They have a large selection of smaller sizes. You can place them around your desk.
Greens that grow lively
in an environment that matches the habitat of the plant.
In the back is a greenhouse.
The plants of Futamura Green grow in an environment that matches their habitat. Plants grown in Okinawa or Hachijojima are arranged in a greenhouse adjusted to the temperature and humidity suitable for that area, and plants suitable for the outdoors are arranged outdoors.
Many olive trees lined the street outside. The olive trees ranged from small ones to magnificent ones over 100 years old.
Room temperature is 20-25 degrees. Plants of size 6 to 12 are collected.
In this greenhouse, they grow a variety of plants from various southern regions, such as Polysias and Bengalensis artesima. Many of the plants at Futamura Green have interesting tree shapes, and many of the greens are so attractive that they can be used as part of the interior design.
Indian bodaiju with characteristic leaves
Benjamin Baroque with characteristic curled leaves
A gift from Hachijojima, Schefflera
About 600 species of schefflera are native to the world's tropical and temperate zones, ranging from shrubs to tall trees.
Mr. Takahashi passionately explaining about Schefflera
One plant that Futamura Green is especially particular about is the Schefflera. About 600 species grow wild in tropical and temperate zones around the world, ranging from shrubs to tall trees. Futamura Green sources directly from growers in Hachijojima.
Therefore, it is difficult to adjust the timing of the arrival schedule during typhoons and other seasons. The scheffleras purchased through such hard work are all stunning with their wonderful branching. In the greenhouse, you can see a selection of the best Schefflera.
Also, since the look of each tree is different every time they purchase one, it is interesting that the Schefflera you encounter on a chance visit may turn out to be the one you are destined to have.
A lot of items that bring out the goodness of the green
There are many affordable pots around 1000 yen.
In addition to plants, the store carries a wide variety of pots and dried flowers. The pots in particular are all in excellent taste. Thinking about which plants would go well with which pots will make your selection even more enjoyable.
They will also replant for you, even if you are a beginner. If you are not sure about the size, please consult with the staff to help you choose.
They come in all sizes, from chic to cute.
Tasteful accessories and dried flowers are lined up.
There are also stylish pots with a wide variety of colors, such as Domani, that look great as an interior decoration.
Futamura Green offers not only houseplants, but also pots and display suggestions on how to enjoy green interior design in your life. By putting not only plants but also your favorite pots into them, you will be able to enjoy them more as interior decorations.
Futamura Green Mr. Takahashi's recommended greens
Next, we asked Mr. Takahashi to recommend mainly greens that are easy to grow even for beginners and easy to incorporate into interiors.
(1) Bengalensis, a species of rubber tree
Prices range from 8,000 yen to 30,000 yen Prices are just a guideline.
Bengalensis, with its beautifully veined leaves, is a popular species of the rubber trees, as it blends very easily into a room's interior. It is very popular and comes in a wide variety of sizes.
It can be used indoors, but it is a plant that prefers sunlight and is weak in the cold, so please put it in a sunny place as much as possible.
(2) Artesima with beautiful speckles
Prices range from 8,000 yen to 30,000 yen Prices are just a guideline.
Artesima, a member of the same rubber family with spots that appear in two or more different colors, is a unique and beautiful plant. It is a popular houseplant for beginners as it is cold hardy and easy to grow.
The rounded leaves and unique curved trunk match the interior of the room. Since variegated plants are especially vulnerable to strong sunlight and cold weather, it is easy for the leaves to burn in the summer and fall off in the winter, so be careful.
(3) Policious (Taiwan maple) with distinctive leaf shape
Prices range from 8,000 yen to 30,000 yen Prices are just a guideline.
Polysius has an impressive appearance with jagged leaves that grow thickly. It is said that there are more than 100 kinds in the world. It is a shade-tolerant plant that is easy to grow even for beginners. However, it is vulnerable to cold, so it is important to place it in a sunny place to grow.
(4) Umbellata that looks great in interiors
Prices range from 8,000 yen to 30,000 yen Prices are just a guideline.
Umberata with heart-shaped leaves. It is popular because it is relatively easy to grow and has good branching. It will grow better if it is exposed to sunlight, but it is important to move it according to the temperature and the strength of the sun depending on the season.
Umberata leaves are large and dry easily, so be sure to water the leaves once a day to prevent them from drying out.
(5) Schefflera with cool branching
Prices range from 10,000 yen to 50,000 yen Prices are just a guideline.
Among the foliage plants, Schefflera is particularly shade-tolerant and cold-tolerant. Because it is resistant to withering, many people grow it in shops, cafes, offices and homes, making it very popular.
In addition, many of them have distinctive leaf shapes and tree shapes, and there are a wide range of sizes, from small sizes that fit in the palm of your hand to large sizes that can be used as a symbolic tree.
Just as people and animals have their own personalities, it is normal for each houseplant to grow differently, and there is an optimal way to grow them. However, if you master the basic tricks, any plant will grow healthily.
What all plants have in common
According to Mr. Takahashi, there are some common points in growing any plant, and it is important to keep these points in mind. Here are some common tips on how to grow plants.
Watering
“After the soil is dry, give plenty of water, and don’t let the water accumulate in the saucer.”
This is true for all plants, so be careful when watering. Plants will grow faster if you water them a lot. However, too much watering will cause root rot, which will kill the plant. Therefore, it is important to water only to the extent that the water does not accumulate in the saucer.
Leaf water
Leaf water is just as important as watering. Leaf water is to sprinkle water on the leaves with a mister. You can create the same environment as a plant that grows in high temperature and humidity, so spray it every day.
On hot summer days, they can be given a shower in the bathroom and plenty of water. Observe your houseplants daily and check them closely for leaf watering and dry soil!
Sunny
Sunlight is indispensable for plants. Without sunlight, they can become sick or die. Keep your greens in the right place and in the right sun, according to their characteristics.
There are plants that prefer the sun and others that can tolerate less sun, so please take your lifestyle into consideration when making your selection. If you are not home during the day most of the time, it is better to choose shade-tolerant plants as much as possible, so please consult a professional to help you choose.
The trick is to place greenery in large quantities
to make it look stylish.
Futamura Green Delivery Example
Because Futamura Green also offers space creation and rental services, they can teach you how to showcase greenery with suggestions that are intertwined with interior design. We also asked them how we can incorporate greenery stylishly into our daily lives.
The most important point is to place greenery in large quantities in one place. Often, you will see a house with a few greens on its own, but by placing plenty of greens to create a lush green appearance, the atmosphere of the space will be enhanced dramatically. Also, by choosing plants with good branches, the space will be filled with movement, and the plants themselves will become part of the interior design.
If you choose a plant with good branching, the space will be gorgeous
Examples of green displays in offices
We actually bought it
Schefflera 2000 yen (excluding tax), bowl 800 yen (excluding tax)
Based on Mr. Takahashi's advice, we also purchased a green for our office.
We chose the best branches and containers. Just having greenery not only in the house but also around our desks has brightened up the space. We now look forward to watering them every day and observing how they are doing.
How was it? We often see greenery in the streets and stores as we go about our daily lives, but by incorporating greenery into our daily lives, we will be more relaxed and our lives will become richer.
Talking to Mr. Takahashi of Futamura Green, we learned more about the depth of greenery than ever before. We encourage you to find a pot of your choice and incorporate it into your living space.