Zonascat

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'KLEP03111' (Moonlight Brilliant Red) and 'Zored' (Fidelity L Red)

Summary: 'Zonascat' differs from the reference varieties, 'KLEP03111' and 'Zored', mainly in the number of branches and inflorescences per plant, peduncle length, intensity of anthocyanin colouration on the peduncle, upper petal width, pedicel length and colour of the middle third. 'Zonascat' has many branches and inflorescences per plant whereas the plants of 'KLEP03111' have few to medium and 'Zored' has a medium amount. The peduncle of 'Zonascat' is long whereas it is short to medium in length in 'KLEP03111' and medium in length in 'Zored'. There is no anthocyanin colouration on the peduncle of 'Zonascat' whereas it is strong to very strong in 'KLEP03111'. The upper petals of 'Zonascat' are narrow whereas they are medium to broad in 'KLEP03111'. The pedicels of 'Zonascat' are green in the middle third and medium in length whereas they are green and medium red and medium to long in 'Zored'.

Description:

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

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

INFLORESCENCE: red colour group, many per plant, medium diameter
PEDUNCLE: long, dense pubescence, no anthocyanin colouration
FLORET: bud narrow elliptic, semi-double, medium diameter, medium number of petals, margin entire
UPPER PETAL: narrow, upper side more red than RHS 44B in middle and along the margins, weak red (RHS 42A) striped markings, red (RHS 43B) with small white zone at base of upper side, lower side red (RHS 43B)
LOWER PETAL: medium in width, upper side more red than RHS 44B in the middle and along the margins, no markings, small white zone at base of upper side, lower side red (RHS 43B)
PEDICEL: medium in length, dense pubescence, green on middle third, no swelling
SEPAL: medium to dense pubescence, green with red at base

Origin & Breeding History: 'Zonascat' originated from a controlled pollination made in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands in 2000. The female parent, identified as J2278-4 was crossed to the male parent, identified as J2295-2. 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 'Zonascat' 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 'Zonascat' with reference varieties 'KLEP03111' and 'Zored'

Leaf blade length (cm)

Peduncle length (cm)

Upper petal width (cm)

Pedicel length(cm)

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Pelargonium: 'Zonascat' (left) with reference varieties 'KLEP03111' (centre) and 'Zored' (right)

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Pelargonium: 'Zonascat' (left) with reference varieties 'KLEP03111' (centre) and 'Zored' (right)