Balfanimvio

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Fistangoli' (Tango Violet)

Summary: 'Balfanimvio' has longer peduncles than the reference variety 'Fistangoli'. The florets of 'Balfanimvio' have a medium number of petals, whereas the florets of 'Fistangoli' have many petals. There are slight differences in the colour of the lower petals between the two varieties.

Description:

PLANT: intermediate growth habit, short to medium height, medium width, few branches
STEM: green, thick, dense pubescence

LEAF BLADE: medium length and width, open to closed base
LEAF MARGIN: bicrenate, moderate lobing, medium to deep incisions, moderate waviness
UPPER SIDE OF BLADE: medium green, medium to dense pubescence, no variegation
LEAF ZONE: weakly to moderately conspicuous, normal position, reddish brown
PETIOLE: short, dense pubescence

INFLORESCENCE: violet colour group, medium diameter
PEDUNCLE: long, dense to very dense pubescence, strong to very strong anthocyanin colouration
FLORET: semi-double, medium number of petals, elliptic bud, entire petal margin
UPPER PETAL: medium width, upper side purple red with red at base and no markings, no white basal zone, lower side purple red
LOWER PETAL: narrow to medium width, upper side purple red with no markings, no white basal zone, lower side blue pink with purple red at margin
PEDICEL: short to medium length, medium to dense pubescence, dark red in middle third, no swelling
SEPAL: dense pubescence, green with red at base

Origin & Breeding History: 'Balfanimvio' originated from a cross conducted during February 2003 at Arroyo Grande, California, as part of a controlled breeding program. The female parent of 'Balfanimvio' is the proprietary Pelargonium breeding selection designated 3040-2, characterized by its dark violet flower colour, dark green leaf with zonation, and upright growth habit. The male parent of 'Balfanimvio' is the proprietary Pelargonium breeding selection designated BFP-3658, characterized by its dark purple-violet flower colour with orange freckles, medium green leaf colour and upright growth habit. The initial selection was made on May 19, 2004. The selection criteria were flower colour, dark green leaf colour and vigourous growth habit.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Balfanimvio' were conducted in a polyhouse in St. Thomas, Ontario, during the summer of 2008. The trials consisted of 15 plants of each variety. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings, transplanted into 15 cm pots on May 20, 2008. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety on July 18, 2008. All colour measurements were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Balfanimvio' with reference variety 'Fistangoli'

Length of peduncle (cm)

Colour of upper petal (RHS)

Colour of lower petal (RHS)

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Pelargonium: 'Balfanimvio' (left) with reference variety 'Fistangoli' (right)

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Pelargonium: 'Balfanimvio' (left) with reference variety 'Fistangoli' (right)