Zonadarolo

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Fisbravo' (Bravo) and 'Zolrolo' (Fidelity Vogue Rose with Blotch)

Summary: The upper side of the leaf blade is medium green for 'Zonadarolo' while it is dark green for 'Zolrolo'. 'Zonadarolo' has absent or very weak anthocyanin on the peduncle while the reference varieties have medium to strong anthocyanin. 'Zonadarolo' has a higher number of petals in the floret than 'Zolrolo'. 'Zonadarolo' differs from the reference varieties in the colour of the upper and lower petal. 'Zonadarolo' has a smaller white zone at the base of the lower petal than 'Fisbravo'. 'Zonadarolo' has a green pedicel while the reference varieties have dark red pedicels. 'Zonadarolo' has a green sepal while the reference varieties have green and red sepals.

Description:

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

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

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'Zonadarolo' originated from a controlled pollination made in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands in 2000. The female parent, identified as J2250-1 was crossed by the male parent, identified as T047. 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 'Zonadarolo' 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 'Zonadarolo' with reference varieties 'Fisbravo' and 'Zolrolo'

Colour upper petal (RHS)

Colour of lower petal (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Pelargonium: 'Zonadarolo' (left) with reference varieties 'Fisbravo' (centre) and 'Zolrolo' (right)