Zodasa

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Fishelus' (Schoene Helena '06) and 'Fishelen' (Charmant)

Summary: 'Zodasa' is taller than 'Fishelen'. Conspicuousness of the zone on the upper side of the leaf blade is very strong for 'Zodasa' while it is weak to medium for the reference varieties. 'Zodasa' has a longer petiole than 'Fishelus'. 'Zodasa' has a larger floret diameter and a longer pedicel than the reference varieties. The colour of the middle third of the pedicel is medium red for 'Zodasa' while it is green for 'Fishelen'.

Description:

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

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

INFLORESCENCE: salmon colour group, medium number per plant, medium to large diameter
PEDUNCLE: 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 width, upper side red pink with weak red striped markings and small to medium white zone at base, lower side red pink
LOWER PETAL: medium width, upper side is red pink with no markings and small white zone at base, lower side is red pink to white
PEDICEL: long, dense pubescence, medium red on middle third, no swelling
SEPAL: dense pubescence, green with red at base

Origin & Breeding History: 'Zodasa' originated from a controlled pollination conducted in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands in 1999. The female parent, identified as H2181-7 was crossed by the male parent, identified as H2166-1. A single seedling was selected in April 2000 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 'Zodasa' 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 4 inch pots on May 1, 2006 and were transplanted into 8 inch 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 'Zodasa' with reference varieties 'Fishelus' and 'Fishelen'

Plant height (cm)

Petiole length (cm)

Floret diameter (cm)

Colour of upper petal (RHS)

Colour of lower petal (RHS)

Pedicel length (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Pelargonium: 'Zodasa' (left) with reference varieties 'Fishelus' (centre) and 'Fishelen' (right)