Lobstrahob

Lobelia

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Loboudtis' (Laguna Sky Blue)

Summary: The plants of 'Lobstrahob' have medium branching density while those of 'Loboudtis' have dense branching. The stems of 'Lobstrahob' have medium pubescence while those of 'Loboudtis' have absent or very sparse pubescence. 'Lobstrahob' has wider leaf blades than 'Loboudtis'. The leaf blade of 'Lobstrahob' has medium depth margin incisions while that of 'Loboudtis' has shallow margin incisions. The sepals of 'Lobstrahob' have anthocyanin colouration present while those of 'Loboudtis' have none. The flowers of 'Lobstrahob' are larger than those of 'Loboudtis'. The upper and lower lips of 'Lobstrahob' are a lighter blue violet than those of 'Loboudtis'. The lower lip of 'Lobstrahob' has medium undulation of the lobe margins while 'Loboudtis' has weak undulation of the margins.

Description:

PLANT: semi-upright growth habit, medium branching density
STEM: medium to thick, green colour ranging from medium to dark, weak anthocyanin colouration, medium pubescence

LEAF BLADE: moderately elongated, medium depth of margin incisions, oblanceolate, mucronate apex, acute/attenuate base, medium green upper side, absent or very sparse pubescence on upper side

SEPAL: anthocyanin colouration present
FLOWER: single
UPPER LIP: elliptic lobes, violet blue (RHS 97A) with darker violet blue (RHS 96D) apex on upper side, light blue violet (RHS 97C-D) with darker light blue violet (RHS 97B) towards apex on lower side
LOWER LIP: light blue violet (RHS 97B) with violet blue (RHS 97A) towards apex on upper side, rounded white zone present on upper side, violet blue (RHS 96A-N89A) markings present, light violet blue (RHS 97C-D) on lower side, medium undulation of margin of lobes, touching lobes
PALATE: weak conspicuousness of yellow markings
COROLLA TUBE: narrow mouth, medium conspicuousness of markings on inner side

Origin & Breeding History: 'Lostrahob' originated from a cross of the female parent identified as E1080-1 and the male parent identified as D0041-1 conducted in Enkhuizen, the Netherlands in July 2004. The new variety was bred and developed by the breeder Theodorus C.M. van Keinwee as part of a controlled breeding program. The resultant seed from the cross was collected and sown in a greenhouse in Enkhuizen in February 2005. A single plant was selected from the progeny in May 2005, in Enkhuizen based on flower colour, flower size, plant vigour, plant growth habit and outdoor performance including heat tolerance.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Lobstrahob' were conducted in a polyhouse during the summer of 2011 in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included a total of 15 plants each of the candidate variety and reference variety. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings and transplanted into 11 cm pots on April 19, 2011. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety on May 17, 2011. All colour determinations were made using the 2007 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Lobstrahob' with reference variety 'Loboudtis'

Leaf blade width (cm)

Flower length (cm)

Flower width (cm)

Colour of upper lip (RHS)

Colour of lower lip (RHS)

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Lobelia: 'Lobstrahob' (left) with reference variety 'Loboudtis' (right)

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Lobelia: 'Lobstrahob' (left) with reference variety 'Loboudtis' (right)

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Lobelia: 'Lobstrahob' (left) with reference variety 'Loboudtis' (right)