HJ-117

Hibiscus

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'HJ-116' and 'HJ-04-06'

Summary: 'HJ-117' has a smaller diameter flower with narrower petals than both reference varieties. The flowers of 'HJ-117' are mainly light yellow with white secondary colour and pink blush at the base of the petals whereas those of 'HJ-116' are mainly white with light yellow secondary colour along the petal margins and those of 'HJ-04-06' are mainly darker yellow with broad streaks of white secondary colour along the veins in the middle of the petals. The flowers of 'HJ-117' have no basal spot on the petals while those of 'HJ-116' have a small, red basal spot and those of 'HJ-04-06' have a medium sized, red basal spot.

Description:

PLANT: sparse branching, upright attitude of branches
STEM: medium green changing to tan when mature, absent or very sparse pubescence

LEAF: simple type, alternate arrangement along the stem
LEAF BLADE: medium green, no variegation, very short and sparse pubescence, ovate, cuneate to obtuse base, acute apex
LEAF BLADE MARGIN: weak undulation, crenate, medium deep incisions

FLOWER: single type, persistant for 3 to 7 days, two coloured, yellow colour group, medium to strong overlapping of petals
PETAL: spatulate, mainly light yellow on upper and lower sides, white secondary colour on upper side with pink blush located at base, weak undulation of margin
PETAL BASAL SPOT: absent
PISTIL: yellow
STYLE: light yellow

Origin & Breeding History: 'HJ-117' originated from a cross between Hibiscus variety 'Byron Metts' as the female parent and variety 'HJ-136' as the male parent. This hand pollinated cross was conducted by the breeder, Henry Buffinga, at H & J Buffinga Farm in Seaforth, Ontario in November 2002. 'HJ-117' was selected for its colour and the persistance of its flowers.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'HJ-117' were conducted in a polyhouse during the winter of 2006-2007 at H & J Buffinga Farm in Seaforth, Ontario. There were ten (10) plants of the candidate variety, three (3) plants of reference variety 'HJ-116' and five (5) plants of reference variety 'HJ-04-06'. All plants were grown in 17 cm pots. Measured characteristics were based on measurements taken from 10 plants or parts of plants on April 11, 2007. All colour determinations were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'HJ-117' with reference varieties 'HJ-116' and 'HJ-04-06'

Flower diameter (cm)

Petal width (cm)

Petal colour on upper side (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Hibiscus: 'HJ-117' (left) with reference vaireties 'HJ-116' (centre) and 'HJ-04-06' (right)