Zoldarkred

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Fip 553' (Rocky Mountain Red)

Summary: 'Zoldarkred' produces more branches than 'Fip 553'. 'Zoldarkred' has a closed to partly overlapping leaf base while 'Fip 553' has a wide open to open base. 'Zoldarkred' has stronger margin waviness than 'Fip 553'. 'Zoldarkred' has slightly lighter red colour on the middle of the upper petal than 'Fip 553'. 'Zoldarkred' has a narrower lower petal width than 'Fip 553'.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit, short to medium height, narrow to medium width, medium to high number of branches
STEM: green, thin to medium thickness, dense pubescence

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

INFLORESCENCE: red colour group, low to medium number per plant, medium to large diameter
PEDUNCLE: medium length, dense pubescence, medium anthocyanin colouration
FLORET: bud elliptic, semi-double, medium to large diameter, medium number of petals, margin entire
UPPER PETAL: narrow to medium width, upper side red with no markings and very small white zone at base, lower side reddish pink
LOWER PETAL: medium width, upper side red with no markings and very small white zone at base, lower side is reddish pink
PEDICEL: medium to long, dense pubescence, dark red on middle third, no swelling
SEPAL: dense pubescence, green with red at base

Origin & Breeding History: 'Zoldarkred' originated from a controlled pollination made in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands in 2000. The female parent, identified as J2293-1 was crossed by the male parent, identified as H2174-5. 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 'Zoldarkred' were conducted in a polyhouse during the summer of 2006 at St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included 15 plants of the candidate and reference varieties. Rooted cuttings were planted into 10 cm pots on May 1, 2006 and then 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 'Zoldarkred' with reference variety 'Fip 553'

Plant width (cm)

Lower petal width (cm)

Colour upper petal (RHS)

Colour of lower petal (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Pelargonium: 'Zoldarkred' (left) with reference variety 'Fip 553' (right)