Balcabcher

Calibrachoa

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Sunbelchipi' (Million Bells Cherry Pink)

Summary: 'Balcabcher' is a calibrachoa variety which differs slightly from 'Sunbelchipi' in the main colour of the upper side and lower side of the corolla. However, the main difference between the two varieties is that 'Balcabcher' has strongly conspicuous dark purple veins on the upper and lower sides of the corolla, whereas the veins of 'Sunbelchipi' are weakly conspicuous and red in colour.

Description:

PLANT: horizontal to mounding growth habit, broad width

SHOOT: medium thickness, long to very long, weak anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: medium to long in length, medium width, elliptic, narrow acute apex, medium green

SEPAL: medium length, lanceolate shape, no anthocyanin

FLOWER: single, funnelform, medium to broad diameter, medium to long pedicel
COROLLA: moderate to strong lobing, red purple, no secondary colour, dark purple veins, veins moderately to strongly conspicuous, medium undulation of margin
COROLLA TUBE: long, yellow on inner side, strongly conspicuous veins
ANTHER: yellow before and after dehiscence

Origin & Breeding History: 'Balcabcher' originated in a controlled breeding program on November 14, 2002 at Elburn, Illinois, U.S.A. The female parent was the proprietary calibrachoa selection designated 1031-3, characterized by its cherry red flower colour, dark green leaf colour and semi-upright growth habit. The male parent was a mix of pollen from proprietary hybrid varieties. The initial selection was made on June 11, 2003. Asexual propagation since that time has been through the use of vegetative cuttings.

Tests & Trials: The tests and trials for 'Balcabcher' were conducted in a polyhouse during the summer of 2006 in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included a total of 20 plants of each of the candidate and reference varieties. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings and transplanted into 10 inch baskets on April 20, 2006. Each basket contained 3 cuttings with a total of 7 baskets per variety. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety on June 29, 2006. All colour measurements were made using the RHS Colour Chart 2001.

Comparison table for 'Balcabcher' with reference variety 'Sunbelchipi'

Main colour of corolla lobe (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Calibrachoa: 'Balcabcher' (left) with reference variety 'Sunbelchipi' (right)