Thuja Cultivar Compact Size via Natural Mutation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a distinct cultivar of Thuja plicata x Thuja standishii that offers a compact growth habit, dark green foliage, and a slow growth rate, differing from existing cultivars like 'Green Giant' and 'Virginian', which are larger and faster growing.
Innovation Solution
The 'T p x T s Junior Giant' cultivar, discovered as a naturally occurring branch mutation, is propagated through stem cuttings and characterized by its small plant size, dense growth habit, and dark green foliage, distinguishing it from its parent and similar cultivars.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a Thuja cultivar is bred for fast growth and large size like 'Green Giant', then productivity and landscape impact are improved, but the plant becomes unsuitable for applications requiring compact size and slow growth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting and propagating a mutant branch with naturally altered growth parameters (slower growth rate, smaller final size) from the parent 'Green Giant' cultivar. This natural mutation provides the desired compact size parameter while maintaining the Thuja species characteristics, resolving the contradiction between growth rate and plant size for specific landscape applications.
2Volume of moving object
If a Thuja cultivar is bred for large foliage size like 'Green Giant' and 'Virginian' 1, then visual impact is improved, but the plant loses suitability for applications requiring compact dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The mutant cultivar exhibits naturally altered parameters including smaller foliage size (leaves approximately 6 mm long compared to larger leaves in parent cultivars) and reduced overall plant volume. This natural parameter variation provides compact dimensions suitable for small-space landscaping while maintaining evergreen foliage characteristics.
3Quantity of substance
If a Thuja cultivar is bred for dense growth habit like 'T p x T s Junior Giant'1, then landscape coverage is improved, but this specific trait alone does not differentiate it from other dense cultivars
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple parameter changes to create a distinct cultivar profile: slower growth rate, smaller plant size, smaller leaves, and dense growth habit. This combination of altered parameters differentiates the cultivar from both the fast-growing 'Green Giant' and the larger 'Virginian' 1, providing versatility for specific compact landscape applications where dense coverage is needed without excessive size.
Data Source
AI summary
A new cultivar of Thuja named ‘T p x Ts Junior Giant’ that is characterized by its small plant height and width, its small leaves, its dark green foliage, dense growth habit, and its slow growth rate.