Zomag

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Amri Cherose Two' (Americana Cherry Rose II)

Summary: 'Zomag' produces more branches than 'Amri Cherose Two'. 'Zomag' has a medium to strong, reddish brown leaf zone while 'Amri Cherose Two' has no leaf zone.

Description:

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

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

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'Zomag' originated from a controlled pollination made in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands in 2001. The female parent, identified as 156 was fertilized with a mixture of pollen from several selected male plants. A single seedling was selected in April 2002 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 'Zomag' 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 'Zomag' with reference variety 'Amri Cherose Two'

Colour upper petal (RHS)

Colour of lower petal (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Pelargonium: 'Zomag' (left) with reference variety 'Amri Cherose Two' (right)