Baldesimred

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Fip 553' (Rocky Mountain Red)

Summary: 'Baldesimred' has a very weak green leaf zone on the upper side of the leaf blade while 'Fip 553' has a medium to strong, reddish brown leaf zone. 'Baldesimred' has a longer petiole and a longer peduncle than 'Fip 553'. 'Baldesimred' has absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration on the peduncle while 'Fip 553' has weak anthocyanin.

Description:

PLANT: upright to intermediate growth habit, medium to tall, medium width, low to medium number of branches
STEM: green, medium thickness, dense pubescence

LEAF BLADE: medium length and width, wide open to open base
MARGIN: bicrenate, lobing present, shallow incisions, medium to strong waviness
UPPER SIDE: dense pubescence, medium green, no variegation
LEAF ZONE: very weak, normal position, green
PETIOLE: medium to long, dense pubescence

INFLORESCENCE: red colour group, medium number per plant, medium diameter
PEDUNCLE: long, dense pubescence, absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration
FLORET: bud elliptic, semi-double, medium to large diameter, medium number of petals, margin entire
UPPER PETAL: medium to broad, upper side bright red (RHS 44B) with weak striped markings and very small white zone, lower side red pink with very small white zone
LOWER PETAL: broad, upper side is bright red (RHS 44B), no markings and very small white zone at base, lower side is red pink
PEDICEL: medium length, dense pubescence, dark red on middle third
SEPAL: dense pubescence, green with red at base and red streaks

Origin & Breeding History: 'Baldesimred' originated from a cross made at Morgan Hill, California, USA, on January 10, 2002. The female parent was the variety 'Americana Dark Red', characterized by its dark red flower colour, medium green leaf colour and vigourous growth habit. The male parent was the variety 'Fip 553', characterized by its true red flower colour, medium green leaf colour and vigourous growth habit. The initial selection was made on May 9, 2002 and asexual propagation since that time has been through the use of vegetative cuttings.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Baldesimred' 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 'Baldesimred' with reference variety 'Fip 553'

Petiole length (cm)

Peduncle length (cm)

Colour upper petal (RHS)

Colour of lower petal (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Pelargonium: 'Baldesimred' (left) with reference variety 'Fip 553' (right)