Zolmono

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Americana Coral'

Summary: 'Zolmono' has no leaf zone while 'Americana Coral' has a weak leaf zone. 'Zolmono' has strong to very strong anthocyanin colouration on the peduncle while 'Americana Coral' has no anthocyanin. 'Zolmono' has green and red pedicels while 'Americana Coral' has green pedicels.

Description:

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

LEAF BLADE: medium length, medium width, wide open to open base
MARGIN: crenate, lobing present, shallow incisions, strong waviness
UPPER SIDE: dense pubescence, medium to dark green, no variegation, no leaf zone
PETIOLE: short to medium length, dense to very dense pubescence

INFLORESCENCE: orange colour group, high to very high number per plant, medium to 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: narrow to medium width, upper side bright red with weak striped markings and very small white zone at base, lower side orange red
LOWER PETAL: medium width, upper side bright red with no markings and no white zone at base, lower side orange red
PEDICEL: long, dense pubescence, medium red and green on middle third, no swelling
SEPAL: dense pubescence, green with red at base

Origin & Breeding History: 'Zolmono' originated from a controlled pollination made in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands in 1999. The female parent, identified as H2166-1 was crossed by the male parent, identified as T038. A single seedling was selected in April 2000 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 'Zolmono' 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 'Zolmono' with reference variety 'Americana Coral'

Colour upper petal (RHS)

Colour of lower petal (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Pelargonium: 'Zolmono' (left) with reference variety 'Americana Coral' (right)