Zolsali

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Fishelen' (Charmant) and 'Zolsamon' (Fidelity Vogue Salmon)

Summary: 'Zolsali' has a slightly more conspicuous leaf zone than 'Zolsamon'. 'Zolsali' has strong anthocyanin in the peduncle while 'Fishelen' has absent or very weak anthocyanin. 'Zolsali' has slightly lighter petal colour than the reference varieties. 'Zolsali' has dark red pedicels while 'Fishelen' has green pedicels.

Description:

PLANT: upright 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, open to partially closed base
MARGIN: bicrenate to biserrate, lobing present, shallow incisions, strong waviness
UPPER SIDE: dense to very dense pubescence, medium to dark green, no variegation
LEAF ZONE: medium to strong, normal position, reddish brown to dark green
PETIOLE: medium length, dense pubescence

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'Zolsali' originated from a controlled pollination made in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands in 2000. The female parent, identified as J2214-5 was crossed by the male parent, identified as F2362-2. 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 'Zolsali' 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 'Zolsali' with reference varieties 'Fishelen' and 'Zolsamon'

Colour upper petal (RHS)

Colour of lower petal (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Pelargonium: 'Zolsali' (left) with reference varieties 'Fishelen' (centre) and 'Zolsamon' (right)