AJW wrote:Botanists baffled by rapid growth of 'space cherry'
The Asahi Shimbun | 2014apr06
GIFU--A tree grown from a cherry pit that traveled in space five years ago with astronaut Koichi Wakata, now commander of the International Space Station, has bloomed far ahead of what is normal--to the astonishment of botanists.
Cherry trees typically take about a decade from the time they sprout from seeds to bloom.
The cherry pit was one of around 265 produced from the fruit of the famous 1,250-year-old “Chujohimeseigan-zakura” cherry tree grown in the compound of the Ganjoji temple here, which traces its roots to the seventh century....
...In four years, the young plant has grown to a height of about 4 meters. This spring, it produced about 10 buds, which all were in bloom by April 4.
Yoshimura said it takes 10 years or more for cherry trees to grow flowers, but the young trees produced from cherry pits taken into space have flowered unusually early. Some of the 265 space-traveling cherry pits were planted in Kochi and Yamanashi prefectures after they returned to Earth and they have already come into bloom as well.
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