Zolirsca

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'KLEP03111' (Moonlight Brilliant Red)

Summary: 'Zolirsca' has weaker waviness of the leaf margin than 'KLEP03111'. 'Zolirsca' has a more conspicuous leaf zone than 'KLEP03111'. 'Zolirsca' produces a higher number of inflorescences per plant than 'KLEP03111'. 'Zolirsca' has a longer peduncle length than 'KLEP03111'. 'Zolirsca' has a small white zone at the base of the lower petal while 'KLEP03111' has no white zone.

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 to long, medium to broad, open base
MARGIN: crenate, lobing present, shallow incisions, weak to medium waviness
UPPER SIDE: dense pubescence, dark green, no variegation
LEAF ZONE: strong, normal position, reddish brown
PETIOLE: medium length, dense pubescence

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'Zolirsca' originated from a controlled pollination made in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands in 2000. The female parent, identified as J2286-2 was crossed by the male parent, identified as T016. 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 'Zolirsca' 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 'Zolirsca' with reference variety 'KLEP03111'

Peduncle length (cm)

Colour upper petal (RHS)

Colour of lower petal (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Pelargonium: 'Zolirsca' (left) with reference variety 'KLEP03111' (right)