Zolarlet

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Tango' and 'Fistafire' (Tango Fire)

Summary: 'Zolarlet' has a medium green upper side of the leaf blade while it is darker green for the reference varieties. Conspicuousness of the zone on the upper side of the leaf blade is medium to strong for 'Zolarlet' while it is very weak for 'Tango'. 'Zolarlet' has a longer peduncle than the reference varieties. The anthocyanin colouration on the peduncle is medium to strong for 'Zolarlet' while it is absent for 'Tango'. 'Zolarlet' has a larger floret diameter than the reference varieties. The upper and lower petals of 'Zolarlet' are broader than those of the reference varieties.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit, medium to tall, medium to broad, low to medium number of branches
STEM: green with weak anthocyanin, medium thickness, dense pubescence

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

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'Zolarlet' originated from a controlled pollination conducted in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands in 2001. The female parent, identified as 1112 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 'Zolarlet' were conducted in a polyhouse during the summer of 2006 at BioFlora Inc. 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 'Zolarlet' with reference varieties 'Tango' and 'Fistafire'

Peduncle length (cm)

Floret diameter (cm)

Upper petal width (cm)

Lower petal width (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Pelargonium: 'Zolarlet' (left) with reference varieties 'Tango' (centre) and 'Fistafire' (right)