Zolisa

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Fisvita' (Dolce Vita) and 'Zonalisalo' (Fidelity L Light Salmon)

Summary: 'Zolisa' has darker colour on the upper side of the petals than 'Fisvita'. 'Zolisa' has more conspicuous striped markings on the upper petal than 'Zonalisalo'. 'Zolisa' has a shorter pedicel than 'Zonalisalo'.

Description:

PLANT: upright to intermediate growth habit, medium height, medium width, low to medium number of branches
STEM: green, medium thickness, dense pubescence

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

INFLORESCENCE: salmon colour group, medium number per plant, medium diameter
PEDUNCLE: medium to long, dense pubescence, absent to medium anthocyanin colouration
FLORET: bud elliptic, single to semi-double, small to medium diameter, low to medium number of petals, margin entire
UPPER PETAL: narrow to medium width, upper side red pink with white at margin, weak to medium striped markings and medium sized white zone at base, lower side white with speckles and streaks of red pink and purple red
LOWER PETAL: medium width, upper side red pink with white at margin, no markings and medium sized white zone at base, lower side white blended with purple red
PEDICEL: short to medium length, dense pubescence, green to light red on middle third, no swelling
SEPAL: dense pubescence, green

Origin & Breeding History: 'Zolisa' originated from a controlled pollination made in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands in 1998. The female parent, identified as T010 was crossed by the male parent, identified as T013. A single seedling was selected in April 1999 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 'Zolisa' 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 'Zolisa' with reference varieties 'Fisvita' and 'Zonalisalo'

Colour upper petal (RHS)

Colour of lower petal (RHS)

Pedicel length (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Pelargonium: 'Zolisa' (left) with reference varieties 'Fisvita' (centre) and 'Zonalisalo' (right)