Wasabi Transplant Journal — Continuing the Experiment of Rooting Life by the Water

🌿 Longing for Wasabi Oil

I was captivated by a feature on the TV program Tabi Salad, which introduced “wasabi oil.”
The idea sparked a strong urge in me to try making it myself.

So I consulted my mother about wasabi cultivation, and to my surprise, she revealed that wasabi was already growing in our family’s garden.

In late August, I visited my parents’ home to check.
Sure enough, there was wasabi—but since no stream flowed nearby, the plants were small.
I couldn’t tell whether they were the ideal “sawa wasabi” suited for oil.

That’s when I decided to transplant them to a stream behind our house in early September.

But just then, my mother came down with COVID, and the transplant had to be postponed.

Finally, today in late September, the weather was kind, and I was able to carry the seedlings to the quiet stream.

🌱 Preparing the Seedlings and Transplanting

I dug up the wasabi growing in the garden and placed the seedlings on a tray.

Since they grew away from flowing water, they’re quite small.
I hope they’ll thrive and grow larger in their new home.

And so, off to the stream behind the mountain…

This stream lies just behind our family’s home.
I chose a spot just below the weir, where the water flow and volume seemed just right.

Wasabi prefers places with flowing water, moist soil, and partial shade.
It’s similar to the habitat of mizuna (Uwabamisou).

The mountain behind our house offers just such conditions, though the terrain varies—some areas are rocky, others sandy, and some have more water than others.

I decided to plant the seedlings in various spots, spaced apart, to see which location suits them best.

🎥 Stream Environment and Video Record

I compiled a video showing the peaceful stream below the weir:

I’m grateful that there’s a promising spot for wasabi so close to home.
There’s another stream behind the weir, but I’m hesitant to go too far—bears roam that area.

🔍 Next Steps

I plan to return in a month to check whether the plants have survived.
The goal is to help them overwinter and prepare for spring.

If you missed the beginning of this experiment, you can read
👉 🌿 Searching for Wasabi — A Quiet Experiment Begins in My Family Garden