Zonabriscal

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'KLEP03111' (Moonlight Brilliant Red) and 'Tango'

Summary: 'Zonabriscal' has a shorter leaf blade than the reference varieties. The upper side of the leaf blade is a lighter green for 'Zonabriscal' than for 'KLEP03111'. 'Zonabriscal' has a medium to strong, reddish brown leaf zone while the reference varieties have a very weak, green leaf zone. 'Zonabriscal' produces a higher number of inflorescences per plant than the reference varieties. 'Zonabriscal' has a wider lower petal width than 'Tango'.

Description:

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

LEAF BLADE: short to medium, narrow to medium, 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: short to medium length, dense pubescence

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'Zonabriscal' originated from a controlled pollination made in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands in 2001. The female parent, identified as 1185 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 'Zonabriscal' 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 'Zonabriscal' with reference varieties 'KLEP03111' and 'Tango'

Leaf blade length (cm)

Colour upper petal (RHS)

Lower petal width (cm)

Colour of lower petal (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Pelargonium: 'Zonabriscal' (left) with reference varieties 'KLEP03111' (centre) and 'Tango' (right)