Sil Linus

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Amrilight Pink Splatwo' (Americana Light Pink Splash II)

Summary: 'Sil Linus' has strong to very strong anthocyanin colouration on the peduncles, compared with the peduncles of the reference variety 'Amrilight Pink Splatwo' which have weak anthocyanin. The upper petal of the flowers of 'Sil Linus' are wider than 'Amrilight Pink Splatwo' and have a large to very large purple red spot, whereas the upper petals of the reference variety have a medium sized spot.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit, very short to short, narrow, few branches
STEM: green, medium thickness, dense pubescence

LEAF BLADE: short to medium, medium width, open base
LEAF MARGIN: bicrenate, moderate lobing, medium incisions, strong waviness
UPPER SIDE OF BLADE: dark green, dense pubescence, no variegation
LEAF ZONE: absent
PETIOLE: short, medium pubescence

INFLORESCENCE: pink colour group, small to medium diameter
PEDUNCLE: medium length, dense pubescence, strong to very strong anthocyanin colouration
FLORET: single, small to medium diameter, elliptic bud, entire petal margin
UPPER PETAL: medium width, upper side light blue violet with very strongly conspicuous purple red spot, medium sized white basal zone with purple red striped markings, lower side light blue violet and white
LOWER PETAL: narrow to medium width, upper side light blue violet with very strongly conspicuous purple red spot, small white basal zone, lower side light blue violet and white
PEDICEL: short to medium length, dense pubescence, light to medium red in middle third, no swelling
SEPAL: medium pubescence, green with red at base

Origin & Breeding History: 'Sil Linus' originated from a cross conducted during the summer of 2001 at Silze GmbH & Co. KG, Weener, Germany, as part of a controlled breeding program. The female parent was the variety 'Kitty', characterized by its light pink violet flower colour with small red coloured spots, dark green foliage colour with no zonation, and compact and upright growth habit. The male parent was the variety 'Lady', characterized by its light pink flower colour with medium red coloured spots, dark green foliage colour with no zonation, and compact and upright growth habit. The initial selection was made on June 2002. The selection criteria were flower form, flower colour and colour pattern.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Sil Linus' 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 19, 2008. All colour measurements were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Sil Linus' with reference variety 'Amrilight Pink Splatwo'

Upper petal width (cm)

Colour of upper petal (RHS)

Colour of lower petal (RHS)

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Pelargonium: 'Sil Linus' (left) with reference variety 'Amrilight Pink Splatwo' (right)

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Pelargonium: 'Sil Linus' (left) with reference variety 'Amrilight Pink Splatwo' (right)