Balwhispum

Diascia

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Whisper Tangerine'

Summary: 'Balwhispum' has a semi-upright growth habit, whereas 'Whisper Tangerine' has an upright growth habit. 'Balwhispum' has wider plants and denser branching than Whisper Tangerine'. There are no trichomal elaiophores on the lower corolla lobe of 'Balwhispum', whereas 'Whisper Tangerine' has some sparse, black coloured elaiophores.

Description:

PLANT: semi-upright growth habit, medium height, medium to broad in width, dense branching, no stem anthocyanin

LEAF BLADE: medium green, medium length, medium width, no variegation, no anthocyanin colouration, truncate base, narrow acute apex, dentate margin, no hairiness

PEDUNCLE: medium length internodes with short pedicels
COROLLA: short to medium length, medium width, orange brown on inner surface, no or very weak reflexing of lateral lobes
LOWER LOBE: as long as broad, weak to moderate undulation of margin, no trichomal elaiophores
COROLLA THROAT: two medium yellow spots
SPUR: brown purple, moderate curvature

Origin & Breeding History: 'Balwhispum' originated in a controlled breeding program during December 2002, in Guadalupe, California. The female parent was the proprietary diascia selection designated 3796b-2, characterized by its deep orange flower colour, small, dark green leaf colour and bush type growth habit. The male parent was the proprietary diascia selection designated 3402-3-8-1, characterized by its apricot flower colour, medium green leaf colour and upright growth habit. The initial selection was made in March 2003. Asexual propagation since that time has been through the use of vegetative cuttings.

Tests & Trials: The trials for 'Balwhispum' were conducted in a polyhouse during the spring of 2006 in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included a total of 15 plants of each variety. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings transplanted into 11 cm pots on March 31, 2006. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety on May 17, 2006. All colour measurements were made using the 2001 RHS colour chart.

Comparison tables for 'Balwhispum' with reference variety 'Whisper Tangerine'

Main colour of corolla (RHS)

Colour of spur (RHS)

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Diascia: 'Balwhispum' (left) with reference variety 'Whisper Tangerine' (Right)

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Diascia: 'Balwhispum' (left) with reference variety 'Whisper Tangerine' (Right)

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Diascia: 'Balwhispum' (left) with reference variety 'Whisper Tangerine' (Right)