Thuja BFC68 Hybrid Plant with Dense Apex Foliage

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a distinct and stable perennial variety of Thuja plicata×standishii that exhibits unique growth characteristics such as smaller size, dense foliage, and a higher degree of branching, which are not present in existing hybrid varieties like 'Green Giant' and 'Steeplechase'.

Innovation Solution

The development of the Thuja plicata×standishii variety 'BFC68', which is characterized by its overall smaller size, dense foliage at the apex, higher branching among branchlets, and a pendulous branchlet attitude, creating a soft, feathered foliage texture, achieved through vegetative propagation and observed as a spontaneous mutation of 'Green Giant'.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If vegetative propagation is used to maintain parent characteristics, then genetic stability is improved, but variability and unique characteristics are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegenetic stabilityVSAvoidvariability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes spontaneous mutation occurring naturally in the plant population, allowing the plant to self-generate new characteristics without human intervention. The mutant plant 'BFC68' arose naturally from the 'Green Giant' population and was then selected and propagated, combining natural variability with stable propagation methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of manufacture

If spontaneous mutation is selected for unique characteristics, then plant distinctiveness is improved, but predictability of propagation is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplant distinctivenessVSAvoidpropagation predictability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Once the distinctive mutant plant 'BFC68' was identified, the patent uses vegetative propagation (cuttings) to create exact genetic copies of the mutant. This ensures that all propagated plants faithfully reproduce the unique characteristics of the original mutant, making propagation predictable while maintaining distinctiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If plant size is reduced for landscaping suitability, then adaptability to landscaping applications is improved, but growth vigor is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelandscaping suitabilityVSAvoidgrowth vigor

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent identifies and selects a mutant plant that naturally exhibits different growth parameters compared to the parent 'Green Giant'. The mutant 'BFC68' has smaller overall size, denser foliage, and different branching patterns. These parameter changes occur naturally through mutation rather than deliberate modification, maintaining vigor while achieving smaller size suitable for landscaping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUSPP26684P3<i>Thuja </i>hybrid plant named ‘BFC68’

Publication Date: 2016.05.03 CASE JR BENJAMIN FR

AI summary

‘BFC68’ is a distinctive variety of Thuja plicata×standishii which is characterized by the combination of an overall smaller plant size, dense foliage at the plant's apex where normally there are few branches or branchlets, a higher degree of branching among first, secondary and tertiary branchlets, a pendulous attitude of the terminal portion of lateral branches and all branchlets which creates a soft, feathered foliage texture, and stability and uniformity of traits through successive cycles of asexual propagation.