Bidolbe

Bidens

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Bidcomtis' (Solaire Yellow)

Summary: 'Bidolbe' differs from 'Bidcomtis' mainly in stem, leaf and peduncle pubescence, leaf blade width, petiole length, bract length and disc floret diameter. The pubescence on the stem, leaf blade and peduncle of 'Bidolbe' is stronger than it is on 'Bidcomtis'. 'Bidolbe' has a more narrow leaf blade and longer petiole than 'Bidcomtis'. The bracts are shorter and the disc floret diameter is smaller for 'Bidolbe' than 'Bidcomtis'.

Description:

PLANT: annual, bushy rounded and arching growth habit, dense branching

STEM: purple-brown, mostly strong anthocyanin colouration, no glaucosity, dense pubescence, thin, edged-striate surface

LEAF: opposite arrangement along stem, bipinnately compound, five to seven leaflets
LEAF BLADE: ovate, acute apex, attenuate base, pinnatisect margin, medium pubescence on upper side, sparse pubescence on lower side, medium green on upper side, light green on lower side, no variegation
PETIOLE: present

FLOWERING: almost continuous for a long time
PEDUNCLE: medium streaks of anthocyanin colouration, strong pubescence
BRACT: dark green, linear in shape, obtuse apex, weak to medium recurvature of tip, entire margin, absent or very sparse pubescence on upper and lower side
INFLORESCENCE: head type
FLOWER: positioned both in terminal and axillary locations on the flowering stem, erect attitude
RAY FLORET: arrangement within the flower is open to touching, moderate in number (five to six range), elliptic, emarginate-dentate apex, weak recurvature of tip, entire margin, absent or very weak undulation of margin, absent or very sparse pubescence on upper and lower sides, more vibrant yellow on upper side, slightly darker yellow on lower side
FLORET DISC: present

Origin & Breeding History: The Bidens variety 'Bidolbe' was developed by the breeder D. van Kleinwee, an employee of Syngenta Seeds B.V. in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands. 'Bidolbe' originated from a controlled cross made in 2000 in Enkhuizen, between the female parent identified as A293-1 and a mix of pollen from unidentified Bidens ferulifolia plants. 'Bidolbe' was selected from the resultant progeny as a single plant in 2001 based on criteria for growth habit, branching characteristics, flower colour and size, and continuous flowering. Asexual reproduction by cuttings was first conducted in April 2001 in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands.

Tests & Trials: PBR trials were conducted in a polyhouse during the spring of 2007 in St. Thomas, Ontario. Trials included 15 plants of the candidate and reference variety. Rooted cuttings were transplanted into 15 cm pots on May 10, 2007. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety on August 16-21, 2007. All colour measurements were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Bidolbe' with reference variety 'Bidcomtis'

Leaf blade width (cm)

Petiole length (mm)

Bract length (mm)

Disc floret diameter (mm)

Click on image for larger view

Bidens: 'Bidolbe' (left) with reference variety 'Bidcomtis' (right)