Zoscala

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Tango' and 'Zobrisca' (Fidelity XL Bright Scarlet)

Summary: 'Zoscala' differs from the reference varieties, 'Tango' and 'Zobrisca' mainly in conspicuousness of the zone on the upper side of the leaf blade, leaf petiole pubescence, peduncle length, floret diameter, upper and lower petal width and sepal colour. There is no zone on the upper side of the leaf blade of 'Zoscala' whereas it is medium to strong in conspicuousness in 'Zobrisca' and very weak in 'Tango'. There is no pubescence on the petiole of 'Zoscala' whereas it is dense on both reference varieties. The peduncle of 'Zoscala' is long whereas it is medium to long in 'Zobrisca' and short to medium in 'Tango'. The diameter of the floret of 'Zoscala' is large whereas it is medium in both reference varieties. The upper and lower petals of 'Zoscala' are broader than they are in both reference varieties. The sepals of 'Zoscala' are green whereas they are green with red streaks in 'Zobrisca' and red with green at the tips in 'Tango'.

Description:

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

LEAF: long, broad, open base
MARGIN: bicrenate, lobing present, shallow incisions, weak waviness
UPPER SIDE: dense pubescence, medium green, no variegation
LEAF ZONE: absent
PETIOLE: medium length, no pubescence

INFLORESCENCE: red colour group, many per plant, medium to large diameter
PEDUNCLE: long, dense pubescence, very weak anthocyanin colouration
FLORET: bud elliptic, semi-double, large diameter, medium number of petals, margin entire and uneven
UPPER PETAL: broad, upper side red (brighter than RHS 44B) in middle and along margins, weak red (RHS 42A) striped markings, red pink (RHS 43B-C) with very small white zone at base, lower side red (RHS 41A)
LOWER PETAL: broad to very broad, upper side red (bright RHS 44B with orange tones) with no markings and very small white zone at base, lower side red (RHS 41A)
PEDICEL: medium to long, dense pubescence, light red on middle third, no swelling
SEPAL: dense pubescence, green

Origin & Breeding History: 'Zoscala' originated from a controlled pollination made in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands in 2001. The female parent, identified as 1142 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 'Zoscala' 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 'Zoscala' with reference varieties 'Tango' and 'Zobrisca'

Plant height (cm)

Plant width (cm)

Petiole length (cm)

Peduncle length (cm)

Floret diameter (cm)

Upper petal width (cm)

Lower petal width (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Pelargonium: 'Zoscala' (left) with reference varieties 'Tango' (centre) and 'Zobrisca' (right)

Click on image for larger view

Pelargonium: 'Zoscala' (left) with reference varieties 'Tango' (centre) and 'Zobrisca' (right)