PEQZ0004

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Amri Trared' (Calliope Dark Red)

Summary: Conspicuousness of the leaf blade zone of 'PEQZ0004' is absent to very weak whereas it is weak for 'Amri Trared'. The largest flower within the inflorescence of 'PEQZ0004' is smaller than that of 'Amri Trared'. Anthocyanin colouration of the upper third of the pedicel is medium to strong for 'PEQZ0004' while it is weak to medium for 'Amri Trared'. The lower side of the upper petal is darker red for 'PEQZ0004' than it is for 'Amri Trared'. 'PEQZ0004' has no zone at the base of the lower petal whereas 'Amri Trared' has a very small zone.

Description:

PLANT: upright to semi-upright growth habit
STEM: green, absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration

LEAF BLADE: medium depth of sinus, medium to strong undulation of margin, slightly open and closed base, no variegation, medium green (zone excluded), absent or very weak conspicuousness of zone

PEDUNCLE: absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration of middle third
PEDICEL: medium to strong anthocyanin colouration of upper third, no swelling
SEPAL: moderate to strong reflexing, medium anthocyanin colouration of middle of broadest sepal
FLOWER: double, arrangement of upper petals in relation to lower petals is moderately overlapping, average of 9 petals per flower, cross-section in lateral view is concave, irregularly distributed stripes or blotches are absent
UPPER PETAL: obtriangular, entire margin, margin of upper side is dark purple red (closest to RHS 46A), middle of upper side is dark purple red (closest to RHS 46A), lower side is red (between RHS 45A and 45B), marking is stripes only, weak conspicuousness of marking, no zone at base
LOWER PETAL: margin of upper side is dark purple red (closest to RHS 46A), middle of upper side is dark purple red (closest to RHS 46A), lower side is red (RHS 45A-B), marking is stripes only, absent or very weak conspicuousness of marking, no zone at base
INNER PETAL: middle of upper side is dark purple red (closest to RHS 46A)

Origin & Breeding History: 'PEQZ0004' was bred and developed by the breeder, Mitchell Hanes, as part of a controlled breeding program. It originated from a cross pollination between variety 'Amri Trared' as the female parent, and a proprietary line with blush rose flower colour designated '10622-1' as the male parent. This cross was conducted in Gilroy, California, United States in November 2007. The resultant seed was collected and sown in a greenhouse in Gilroy in April 2008. In August 2008, a single plant was selected using flower colour and plant habit as the selection criteria. This selection was named 'PEQZ0004'.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'PEQZ0004' were conducted in a polyhouse during the spring and summer of 2012 at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. There were a total of 20 plants each of the candidate and reference varieties. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings and transplanted into 15 cm shallow pots on May 2, 2012. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety on June 19, 2012. All colour determinations were made using the 2007 Royal Horticulture Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'PEQZ0004' with reference variety 'Amri Trared'

Length of largest flower (cm)

Width of largest flower (cm)

Colour of upper petal (RHS)

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Pelargonium: 'PEQZ0004' (left) with reference variety 'Amri Trared' (right)

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Pelargonium: 'PEQZ0004' (left) with reference variety 'Amri Trared' (right)

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Pelargonium: 'PEQZ0004' (left) with reference variety 'Amri Trared' (right)