Zobrisca

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Tango' and 'Zoscala' (Fidelity XL Scarlet)

Summary: Conspicuousness of zone on the upper side of the leaf blade is medium to strong for 'Zobrisca' while it is very weak for 'Tango' and absent for 'Zoscala'. 'Zobrisca' has a longer leaf blade then 'Tango'. 'Zobrisca' has a medium to broad lower petal width while it is narrow to medium in width for 'Tango' and it is broad to very broad for 'Zoscala'. The middle third of the pedicel is medium to dark red for 'Zobrisca' while it is medium red for 'Tango' and light red for 'Zoscala'. 'Zobrisca' has a green sepal with red streaks while it is red with green at the tips for 'Tango' and green for 'Zoscala'.

Description:

PLANT: upright to intermediate growth habit, tall, broad, medium to many branches
STEM: green, medium thickness, dense pubescence

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

INFLORESCENCE: red colour group, medium to many number per plant, medium to large diameter
PEDUNCLE: medium to long, dense pubescence, absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration
FLORET: elliptic bud, single to semi-double, medium diameter, few to medium number of petals, margin entire
UPPER PETAL: medium width, upper side bright red (RHS 44B) with very weak red striped markings and very small white zone at base, lower side red (RHS 41A-40A)
LOWER PETAL: medium to broad, upper side bright red (RHS 44B), with no markings, and very small white zone at base, lower side red (RHS 41A-40A)
PEDICEL: medium to long, dense pubescence, medium to dark red on middle third, no swelling
SEPAL: dense pubescence, green with red streaks

Origin & Breeding History: 'Zobrisca' originated from a controlled pollination conducted in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands in 2000. The female parent, identified as J2291-1 was crossed by the male parent, identified as T030. A single seedling was selected in April 2001 and propagated by cuttings. The new pelargonium was tested one year later at greenhouse and field performance trials in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands and evaluated for criteria including earliness, good branching, good and stable flower colour, flower size, rich and continuous flowering and resistance against Botrytis. In the same year it was tested in Sarrians, Southern France for heat resistance and resistance to drought stress.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Zobrisca' were conducted in a polyhouse during the summer of 2006 in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included 15 plants per variety. Rooted cuttings were planted into 10 cm pots on May 1, 2006 and were 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 'Zobrisca' with reference varieties 'Tango' and 'Zoscala'

Leaf blade length (cm)

Upper petal width (cm)

Lower petal width (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Pelargonium: 'Zobrisca' (left) with reference varieties 'Tango' (centre) and 'Zoscala' (right)