Oglger609

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Regal Ballet'

Summary: 'Oglger609' has sparse branching density while 'Regal Ballet' has medium branching density. The depth of margin incisions on the leaves of 'Oglger609' are deep while those of 'Regal Ballet' are medium depth. The marking on the upper side of the petals of 'Oglger609' is large while that on 'Regal Ballet' is very large. 'Oglger609' has a red margin on the upper petals while 'Regal Ballet' has a blue pink margin. The marking on the lower petals of 'Oglger609' is absent while it is present on 'Regal Ballet'. The lower petal of 'Oglger609' is orange red with red veins in the middle part of the lower petals while 'Regal Ballet' is purple red.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit, sparse branching density
STEM: medium thickness, dense pubescence

LEAF BLADE: open base
LEAF MARGIN: medium degree of lobing, strong waviness on new leaves, medium waviness on mature leaves, deep incisions
UPPER SIDE OF BLADE: medium green, medium pubescence
PETIOLE: dense pubescence

INFLORESCENCE: very early flowering, coral colour group
PEDUNCLE: dense pubescence
FLORET: medium to strong petal undulation
UPPER PETAL: large dark purple red (RHS 53A) marking with brown purple (RHS 187A) veins, red (RHS 43B) margin, red (RHS 43B) between margin and marking
LOWER PETAL: no markings, red pink (RHS 52C) margin, orange red (RHS 41B) middle part with red (RHS 40B) veins
SEPAL: absent anthocyanin colouration

Origin & Breeding History: 'Oglger609' originated in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, USA in April, 2001. The variety was selected for its medium to compact growth habit, large flower size and coral-orange flower colour. Plants will be maintained in vegetative state and reproduced by vegetative cuttings in Encinitas, California, USA.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Oglger609' were conducted in a greenhouse during the spring of 2008 in St. Thomas, Ontario. Trials included a total of 15 plants each of the candidate and reference varieties. The plants were grown in St. Catharines, Ontario from cuttings rooted into 6 cm cells grown at 68 °F for 9 weeks and pinched once at 5 weeks. Plants were cold treated at 42 °F with 14 hours of daylight (HID) for 4 weeks, following which the plants were transplanted to 15 cm pots. Plants were grown in St. Thomas for a further 10 weeks until flowering. Measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety on May 15, 2008. All colour determinations were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison table for 'Oglger609' with reference variety 'Regal Ballet'

Colour of petals (RHS)

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Pelargonium: 'Oglger609' (left) with reference variety 'Regal Ballet' (right)

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Pelargonium: 'Oglger609' (left) with reference variety 'Regal Ballet' (right)