Zolbriscala

Pelargonium

Variety Description

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

Summary: 'Zolbriscala' has a closed to overlapping base while it is wide open to open for 'Tango' and open for 'Fistafire'. Conspicuousness of the zone on the upper side of the leaf blade is medium for 'Zolbriscala' while it is very weak for 'Tango' and strong for 'Fistafire'. 'Zolbriscala' has strong anthocyanin colouration on the peduncle while it is absent for 'Tango'. The upper and lower petals of 'Zolbriscala' are broader than those of the reference varieties. 'Zolbriscala' has a green sepal with red streaks while it is red with green at the tips for the reference varieties.

Description:

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

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

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'Zolbriscala' originated from a controlled pollination conducted in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands in 2000. The female parent, identified as J2295-2 was crossed by the male parent, identified as J2278-4. 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 'Zolbriscala' 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 'Zolbriscala' with reference varieties 'Tango' and 'Fistafire'

Upper petal width (cm)

Colour of upper petal (RHS)

Lower petal width (cm)

Colour of lower petal (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

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