Zosa

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Fishelus' (Schoene Helena '06) and 'Zonalisalo' (Fidelity L Light Salmon)

Summary: 'Zosa' differs from the reference varieties, 'Fishelus' and 'Zonalisalo', mainly in conspicuousness of the zone on the upper side of the leaf, conspicuousness and colour of upper petal markings, size of the white zone at the base of the upper petal and colour of the middle third of the pedicel. The zone on the upper side of the leaf of 'Zosa' is medium to strong in conspicuousness whereas it is weak to medium on the leaves of 'Fishelus' (strong on new leaves). The upper petal markings of 'Zosa' are weak to medium in conspicuousness whereas they are weak in 'Fishelus' and very weak in 'Zonalisalo'. The petal markings are darker red in 'Zosa' than they are in both reference varieties. The zone at the base of the upper petal of 'Zosa' is medium in size whereas it is very small in 'Zonalisalo'. The middle third of the pedicel of 'Zosa' is green to light red whereas it is medium red in 'Fishelus' and green in 'Zonalisalo'.

Description:

PLANT: upright to intermediate growth habit, medium in height, broad, few branches
STEM: green, thin to medium in thickness, dense pubescence

LEAF: medium to long, medium to broad in width, wide open to open base
MARGIN: bicrenate, lobing present, shallow to medium depth of incisions, strong waviness
UPPER SIDE: dense to very dense pubescence, light to medium green, no variegation
LEAF ZONE: medium to strong conspicuousness, reddish brown, normal position
PETIOLE: short to medium, dense pubescence

INFLORESCENCE: salmon colour group, medium number per plant, medium in diameter
PEDUNCLE: medium to long, dense pubescence, very weak anthocyanin colouration
FLORET: bud elliptic, single to semi-double, small to medium in diameter, medium number of petals, margin entire
UPPER PETAL: narrow to medium width, upper side red pink (RHS 52C to 43C) with weak to medium red pink (RHS 43A) striped markings and medium sized white zone at base of upper side, lower side pale purple red (white to RHS 55B)
LOWER PETAL: medium to broad, upper side red pink (RHS 52C to 43C) with no markings and small to medium sized white zone at base, lower side pale purple red (RHS white to 55B)
PEDICEL: medium in length, dense pubescence, green to light red on middle third, no swelling
SEPAL: dense pubescence, mostly green with some red at base

Origin & Breeding History: 'Zosa' originated from a controlled pollination made in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands in 2000. The female parent, identified as J2218-2 was crossed by the male parent, identified as H2167-2. 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 'Zosa' 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 'Zosa' with reference varieties 'Fishelus' and 'Zonalisalo'

Plant height (cm)

Plant width (cm)

Colour of upper petal (RHS)

Colour of lower petal (RHS)

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Pelargonium: 'Zosa' (left) with reference varieties 'Fishelus' (centre) and 'Zonalisalo' (right)

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Pelargonium: 'Zosa' (left) with reference varieties 'Fishelus' (centre) and 'Zonalisalo' (right)