Zonascarora

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Tango'

Summary: 'Zonascarora' differs from the reference variety, 'Tango' mainly in conspicuousness and colour of zone on the upper side of the leaf blade, upper and lower petal width and sepal colour. The reddish brown colour zone on the upper side of the leaf blade of 'Zonascarora' is medium to strong in conspicuousness whereas it is green and very weak in 'Tango'. The upper and lower petals of 'Zonascarora' are medium to broad whereas they are narrow to medium in width in 'Tango'. The sepals of 'Zonascarora' are green with stripes of red whereas they are red with green tips in 'Tango'.

Description:

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

LEAF: medium in length, narrow to medium in 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, reddish brown, normal position
PETIOLE: short to medium, dense pubescence

INFLORESCENCE: red colour group, medium to many per plant, medium diameter
PEDUNCLE: medium to long, dense pubescence, no anthocyanin colouration
FLORET: bud elliptic, semi-double, medium diameter, medium number of petals, margin entire
UPPER PETAL: medium to broad, upper side red (brighter than RHS 44B) in the middle and along the margins of the upper side with weak red striped markings, red at base (RHS 43B) with small white zone, lower side red (RHS 43B) in the middle and along the margins
LOWER PETAL: medium to broad, upper side red (brighter than RHS 44B) in the middle and along the margins, no markings, small white zone at base, lower side red (RHS 43B)
PEDICEL: medium in length, dense pubescence, green and medium red on middle third, no swelling
SEPAL: dense pubescence, green with red stripes

Origin & Breeding History: 'Zonascarora' originated from a controlled pollination made in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands in 2001. The female parent, identified as 1171 was crossed by 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 'Zonascarora' 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 'Zonascarora' with reference variety 'Tango'

Plant height (cm)

Upper petal width (cm)

Upper petal colour(RHS)

Lower petal width (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Pelargonium: 'Zonascarora' (left) with reference variety 'Tango' (right)