Zodare

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Americana Dark Red' and 'Fissamba' (Samba)

Summary: 'Zodare' has a light to medium green leaf blade while it is medium to dark green for 'Americana Dark Red'. There is no anthocyanin colouration on the peduncle for 'Zodare' while it is weak for the reference varieties. 'Zodare' has broader upper petals than 'Fissamba'. 'Zodare' has a longer pedicel than 'Americana Dark Red'.

Description:

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

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

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'Zodare' originated from a controlled pollination conducted in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands in 2001. The female parent, identified as 2147 was fertilized with a mixture of pollen from several selected male plants. A single seedling was selected in April 2002 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 'Zodare' 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 'Zodare' with reference varieties 'Americana Dark Red' and 'Fissamba'

Peduncle length (cm)

Upper petal width (cm)

Colour of upper petal (RHS)

Lower petal width (cm)

Colour of lower petal (RHS)

Pedicel length (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Pelargonium: 'Zodare' (left) with reference varieties 'Americana Dark Red' (centre) and 'Fissamba' (right)