Fisfire

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Fistador'

Summary: 'Fisfire' differs from 'Fistador' in plant size and flower colour. 'Fisfire' is a taller, wider plant than 'Fistador', with wider leaves and larger florets, and longer peduncles and pedicels. The flowers of 'Fisfire' are a brighter, more brilliant red than those of 'Fistador'. The leaves of 'Fisfire' have a more conspicuous leaf zone than those of 'Fistador'.

Description:

'Fisfire' is a zonal pelargonium variety. 'Fisfire' has an intermediate growth habit and green stems. The leaf blade is a type one shape with an open to closed base and bicrenate margins. The leaves are medium green in colour with no variegation and a strongly conspicuous reddish brown leaf zone in the normal position.

'Fisfire' produces red inflorescences. The flower bud is elliptic to round in shape and the florets are semi-double. The petal margin is entire and the upper petal width is medium. There is no white zone at the base of the upper petals, and there are no petal markings. The middle third of the pedicel is green in colour with no swelling present.

Origin & Breeding History: 'Fisfire' was derived from a hybridization made in 1995 at Galdar, Gran Canaria, Spain, and was selected as a single seedling from within the offspring in 1996. The female parent was the hybrid seedling designated 990-1, derived from a cross between 'Fisnida' and 'Vulkan/ Volcano'. Both varieties have orange-red inflorescences. 'Fisnida' has single-type florets, distinctly zoned foliage and vigorous growth, while 'Vulkan' has semi-double florets, weakly zoned foliage and a compact growth habit. The male parent of 'Fisfire' was 'Fistador', characterized by scarlet semi-double florets, zoned foliage, and a medium to tall, rounded growth habit. Cuttings from the selected seedling were taken to Hillscheid for further selection and trial cultivation.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials for 'Fisfire' were conducted in Langley, British Columbia in July, 2000. The trials consisted of 15 plants per variety, grown indoors in 15 cm pots. Unless noted otherwise, measured characteristics were based on ten measurements.

Comparison tables for 'Fisfire' with reference variety 'Fistador'

Plant height (cm)

Plant width (cm)

Width of leaf blade (cm)

Length of peduncle (cm)

Diameter of largest floret (mm)

Colour of upper petal (RHS)

Colour of lower petal (RHS)

Colour of inner petal (RHS)

Length of longest pedicel (mm)