Zonacarol

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Fisblufort' (Blues)

Summary: 'Zonacarol' has a larger leaf blade than 'Fisblufort'. 'Zonacarol' has a longer peduncle and smaller floret diameter than 'Fisblufort'. 'Zonacarol' has a narrower lower petal width than 'Fisblufort'. 'Zonacarol' differs from 'Fisblufort' in the colour of the upper and lower petals.

Description:

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

LEAF BLADE: long, broad, wide open to open base
MARGIN: bicrenate, lobing present, shallow incisions, strong waviness
UPPER SIDE: dense pubescence, medium green, no variegation
LEAF ZONE: very weak, normal position, green
PETIOLE: medium to long, dense pubescence

INFLORESCENCE: pink colour group, medium to high number per plant, medium to large diameter
PEDUNCLE: long, dense pubescence, absent or weak anthocyanin colouration
FLORET: bud elliptic, single to semi-double, small to medium diameter, low to medium number of petals, margin entire
UPPER PETAL: medium width, upper side light purple red with medium to strong macule (spot) and striped markings and large white zone at base, lower side light blue pink fading to white
LOWER PETAL: medium to broad, upper side light purple red with strong macule marking and medium sized white zone at base, lower side light blue pink fading to white
PEDICEL: medium length, dense pubescence, green on middle third, no swelling
SEPAL: dense pubescence, green

Origin & Breeding History: 'Zonacarol' originated from a controlled pollination made in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands in 1998. The female parent, identified as F2357-2 was crossed by the male parent, identified as T035. A single seedling was selected in April 1999 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 'Zonacarol' 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 'Zonacarol' with reference variety 'Fisblufort'

Leaf blade length (cm)

Leaf blade width (cm)

Peduncle length (cm)

Floret diameter (cm)

Colour upper petal (RHS)

Lower petal width (cm)

Colour of lower petal (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Pelargonium: 'Zonacarol' (left) with reference variety 'Fisblufort' (right)