Zolsamon

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Fishelen' (Charmant)

Summary: 'Zolsamon' produces a lower number of inflorescences per plant than 'Fishelen'. 'Zolsamon' has strong anthocyanin on the peduncle while 'Fishelen' has absent or very weak anthocyanin. 'Zolsamon' has a smaller white zone at the base of the upper and lower petal than 'Fishelen'. 'Zolsamon' has a dark red pedicel while 'Fishelen' has a green pedicel.

Description:

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

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

INFLORESCENCE: salmon colour group, low number per plant, medium to large 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: medium width, upper side red pink with weak striped markings and small white zone at base, lower side white with red pink along margin
LOWER PETAL: medium to broad, upper side red pink with no markings and small white zone at base, lower side white with red pink along margin
PEDICEL: medium to long, dense pubescence, dark red on middle third, no swelling
SEPAL: dense pubescence, green with red at base

Origin & Breeding History: 'Zolsamon' originated from a controlled pollination made in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands in 2000. The female parent, identified as J2216-1 was crossed by the male parent, identified as T050. 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 'Zolsamon' 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 'Zolsamon' with reference variety 'Fishelen'

Colour upper petal (RHS)

Colour of lower petal (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Pelargonium: 'Zolsamon' (left) with reference variety 'Fishelen' (right)