Petersurpr

Bidens

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Peters Goldteppich' (Peter's Gold Carpet) and 'Bidtis-1' (Solaire Yellow)

Summary: The plant growth habit for 'Petersurpr' is semi-upright bushy while it is spreading to trailing for 'Peters Goldteppich' and upright bushy for 'Bidtis-1'. The plants of 'Petersurpr' are broader than those of 'Bidtis-1' and narrower than those of 'Peters Goldteppich'. The stems of 'Petersurpr' have stronger anthocyanin colouration and denser pubescence than those of 'Bidtis-1'. 'Petersurpr' has smaller leaves, longer peduncles and more ray florets per flower than 'Bidtis-1'. 'Petersurpr' has smaller flower diameter and narrower ray florets than 'Peters Goldteppich'.

Description:

PLANT: annual type, semi-upright bushy growth habit, moderate degree of branching

STEM: light green, strong anthocyanin colouration, weak glaucosity, dense pubescence, thin, edged surface

LEAF: opposite arrangement along stem, pinnately compound, five to seven leaflets
LEAF BLADE: ovate, acute apex, cuneate base, pinnatisect margin, dense pubescence on upper side, medium pubescence density on lower side, weak glaucosity on upper side, no variegation, dark green on upper side, medium green on lower side
PETIOLE: present

FLOWERING: begins early to mid-season, almost continuous for a long time
PEDUNCLE: medium pubescence density, moderate anthocyanin colouration
BRACT: linear in shape, cuspidate apex, dark green, medium recurvature of tip, entire margin, medium pubescence density on upper and lower sides
INFLORESCENCE: head type
FLOWER: positioned both in terminal and axillary locations on the flowering stem, erect attitude
RAY FLORET: arrangement within the flower is touching, many in number, elliptic, obtuse apex, dentate tip, weak recurvature of tip, entire margin, no undulation of margin, very sparse pubescence on upper and lower sides, dark yellow on upper side, yellow on lower side
FLORET DISC: present

Origin & Breeding History: 'Petersurpr' was the result of a breeding program conducted by the breeder, Peter Wicki, in Gensingen, Germany. The objectives of the breeding program were to create new Bidens varieties with a spreading and compact growth habit and adapted for use in container gardening. 'Petersurpr' originated from an open-pollinated cross of Bidens variety 'Golden Mega Star' conducted in the early spring of 2001 in Germany. It was selected in the summer of 2001 based on large flower size, early flowering, longer flowering period and compact bushy plant growth habit.

Tests & Trials: The test and trial for 'Petersurpr' was conducted in a poly-house during the summer of 2006 at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included 15 plants of each variety. Rooted cuttings were transplanted into 15 cm pots on May 26, 2006. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety from June 26, 2006. All colour measurements were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Petersurpr' with reference varieties 'Peters Goldteppich' and 'Bidtis-1'

Plant width (cm)

Leaf length (cm)

Leaf width (cm)

Peduncle length (cm)

Flower diameter (cm)

Number of ray florets per flower

Ray floret width (mm)

Click on image for larger view

Bidens: 'Petersurpr' (left) with reference varieties 'Peters Goldteppich' (centre) and 'Bidtis-1' (right)