Yoshiharu Watanabe, a resident of Nasushiobara, Japan, has achieved a remarkable feat in the world of botany by cultivating a clover with an astounding 63 leaves in his garden. This achievement not only sets a new Guinness World Record but also underscores Watanabe’s dedication to cross-pollinating clovers since 2012.
“Clover is a common plant found everywhere, so whenever I saw a four-leaved, five-leaved, or seven-leaved clover near paddy fields or parks, I took it back home,” Watanabe explained, detailing his journey. His passion for enhancing the leaf count of clovers gradually intensified as he observed their natural growth patterns.
The previous record of a 56-leaf clover, set in 2009 by Shigeo Obara from Hanamaki City, inspired Watanabe to pursue the Guinness World Records title. Despite facing challenges along the way, including fluctuations in leaf count and the inherent unpredictability of genetics, Watanabe persisted in his efforts.
“From letting the clovers pollinate naturally in open air to hand-pollinating those with the most leaves, I tried various methods,” Watanabe recounted. His perseverance paid off in 2020 when he achieved a significant milestone with a 49-leaf clover. Subsequent years brought him closer to his goal, culminating in a near-miss of the record with a 55-leaf clover in 2021.
Reflecting on his breakthrough, Watanabe expressed surprise and joy upon discovering his record-breaking clover. “I estimated it to have 56 leaves at first, but counting them revealed a total of 63,” he said. The meticulous process of counting the tiny leaves took over an hour due to their diminutive size.
Watanabe hopes his achievement will bring happiness and delight to others, much like the traditional belief that a four-leaf clover brings good fortune. His dedication to botany and his record-breaking clover stand as a testament to the wonders of nature and human perseverance.
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