Balcolvio

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Balcolpurp' (Colorcade Purple)

Summary: 'Balcolvio' has denser pubescence on the stem and pedicel than 'Balcolpurp'. The inflorescence and largest floret of 'Balcolvio' have a larger diameter than 'Balcolpurp'. 'Balcolvio' has fewer petals per inflorescence than 'Balcolpurp'. The flower petal of 'Balcolvio' is purple red while it is purple in 'Balcolpurp'. 'Balcolvio' has more conspicuous upper petal markings than 'Balcolpurp'. The upper petal marking of 'Balcolvio' is dark brown while it is brown purple in 'Balcolpurp'.

Description:

PLANT: upright to intermediate growth habit, very short to short, narrow, very few to few branches
STEM: thin, dense pubescence, green

LEAF: short, narrow, open to closed base, entire margin, weak degree of lobing present, very shallow to shallow incisions of the lobes, medium waviness of margin, dense pubescence on the upper side, medium green, no variegation, very weak to medium conspicuousness of reddish brown zone at the base on upper side, short petiole, moderate to dense pubescence on petiole

INFLORESCENCE: violet colour group, medium number per plant, small to medium diameter, short peduncle, dense pubescence on peduncle, absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration on peduncle
FLORET: double type, large diameter, ovoid bud shape, many to very many petals, entire petal margin
UPPER PETAL: narrow to medium width, purple red, strongly conspicuous dark brown stripes present
LOWER PETAL: very narrow to narrow, purple red, no markings present, very small to small white zone present at base
PEDICEL: short, dense pubescence, middle third green, no swelling
SEPAL: moderate pubescence, green

Origin & Breeding History: 'Balcolvio' originated from a controlled pollination between female parent 2022 and the male parent BFP-1293, made in Arroyo Grande, California, USA in 2000. The new variety was selected as a single plant from the resultant progeny in February 2001.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Balcolvio' were conducted in a polyhouse during the summer of 2006 at St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included 15 plants of the candidate and reference varieties. Rooted cuttings were planted into 10 cm pots on May 1, 2006 and then transplanted into 20 cm pots on June 26, 2006. Measured characteristics were based on 10 measurements. All colour determinations were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Balcolvio' with reference variety 'Balcolpurp'

Inflorescence diameter (cm)

Diameter of largest floret (cm)

Colour of upper petal (RHS)

Colour of lower petal (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Pelargonium: 'Balcolvio' (left) with reference variety 'Balcolpurp' (right)