Zopeam

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Fisam' (Butterfly)

Summary: 'Zopeam' has a double type floret while it is a semi-double in 'Fisam'. The petal of 'Zopeam' is a darker violet colour than 'Fisam'. 'Zopeam' has less conspicuous markings on the upper side of the petal than 'Fisam'. The middle third of the pedicel of 'Zopeam' is green while it is green and red in 'Fisam'.

Description:

PLANT: intermediate to semi-spreading growth habit, short, few branches
STEM: thin, moderate pubescence, green

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

INFLORESCENCE: purple colour group, very few to few per plant, small diameter, very short to short peduncle, moderate pubescence on peduncle, absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration of peduncle
FLORET: double type, medium to large diameter, obovate bud shape, medium to many petals, entire petal margin
UPPER PETAL: narrow to medium width, violet, weakly conspicuous purple stripes and macule present
LOWER PETAL: narrow to medium width, violet, very small to small white zone present at the base
PEDICEL: short to medium, moderate pubescence, middle third green, no swelling
SEPAL: moderate pubescence, green

Origin & Breeding History: 'Zopeam' originated from a controlled pollination made in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands in 2001. The female parent, identified as 2001 was crossed by the male parent, a mix of pollen from several plants. The new variety was selected as a single seedling from the resultant progeny in April 2002. 'Zopeam' was evaluated in greenhouse and field performance trials in April 2003 in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands, for earliness, good branching, good and stable flower colour, flower size, rich and continuous flowering, and resistance against Botrytis. In that same year it was tested in Sarrians, South France, for heat resistance and resistance to drought stress.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Zopeam' 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 'Zopeam' with reference variety 'Fisam'

Colour of upper petal (RHS)

Colour of lower petal (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Pelargonium: 'Zopeam' (left) with reference variety 'Fisam' (right)