Zonalavite

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Fip 749' (Tango Lavender Pink)

Summary: 'Zonalavite' has a weak to medium, reddish brown leaf zone while 'Fip 749' has a very weak, green leaf zone. 'Zonalavite' has weaker anthocyanin on the peduncle than 'Fip 749'. 'Zonalavite' has a smaller floret diameter than 'Fip 749'. 'Zonalavite' differs in petal colour from 'Fip 749'. 'Zonalavite' has a green pedicel while 'Fip 749' has a medium to dark red pedicel.

Description:

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

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

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'Zonalavite' originated from a controlled pollination made in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands in 2001. The female parent, identified as 1054 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 'Zonalavite' 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 'Zonalavite' with reference variety 'Fip 749'

Floret diameter (cm)

Colour upper petal (RHS)

Colour of lower petal (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Pelargonium: 'Zonalavite' (left) with reference variety 'Fip 749' (right)