Diastusca

Diascia

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Whisper Tangerine' and 'Diastis' (Flying Colors Coral)

Summary: 'Diastusca' has longer leaves and larger flowers than both 'Whisper Tangerine' and 'Diastis. 'Diastusca' has moderate density of trichomal elaiophores on the lower lobe of the corolla, whereas 'Whisper Tangerine' has very sparsely distributed elaiophores and 'Diastis' has a high density of elaiophores. 'Diastusca' also differs slightly in flower colour from the two reference varieties.

Description:

PLANT: upright to semi-upright growth habit, medium height, narrow to medium width, medium branching, no anthocyanin colouration on stems

LEAF BLADE: medium green, long to very long, broad, no variegation, no anthocyanin colouration, cordate base, narrow acute apex, entire to dentate margin (with sparse, shallow incisions), no hairiness

PEDUNCLE: medium internodes with medium length pedicels
COROLLA: long, broad to very broad, orange red inner surface, very weak or no reflexing of lateral lobes
LOWER LOBE: as long as broad, very weak undulation of margin, moderate density of dark purple trichomal elaiophores
COROLLA THROAT: one medium yellow spot
SPUR: brown red, moderate curvature

Origin & Breeding History: 'Diastusca' was developed by the breeder Har Stemkens, an employee of Syngenta Seeds B.V., in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands. The variety originated from a controlled cross made in August 2001, in Enkhuizen, between the female parent 'D0132-1' and the male parent 'D0065-1'. A single plant was selected from this cross in May 2002, based on criteria for earliness, flower colour and field performance. Asexual reproduction by vegetative cuttings was first conducted in June 2002.

Tests & Trials: The trials for 'Diastusca' 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 'Diastusca' with reference varieties 'Whisper Tangerine' and 'Diastis'

Leaf blade length (cm)

Length of corolla (cm)

Width of corolla (at broadest part) (cm)

Main colour of corolla (RHS)

Colour of spur (RHS)

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Diascia: 'Diastusca' (left) with reference varieties 'Whisper Tangerine' (centre) and 'Diastis' (right)

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Diascia: 'Diastusca' (left) with reference varieties 'Whisper Tangerine' (centre) and 'Diastis' (right)