Nakpen002

Pentas

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Nakpen004' and 'New Look Pink'

Summary: 'Nakpen002' has a taller wider plant growth habit than 'New Look Pink'. 'Nakpen002' has a larger leaf than 'New Look Pink'. The inflorescence of 'Nakpen002' is larger than in 'New Look Pink'. 'Nakpen002' has a longer inflorescence than 'Nakpen004'. 'Nakpen002' has a white corolla tube and lobe colour while they are blue-pink in 'New Look Pink' and light blue-pink in 'Nakpen004'. 'Nakpen002' has a smaller diameter corolla and shorter corolla tube than 'Nakpen004'. The corolla lobes of 'Nakpen002' are smaller than in 'Nakpen004'. The stigma lobe colour in 'Nalpen002' is white while it is pink in 'New Look Pink'.

Description:

'Nakpen002' is an annual pentas variety that has an upright growth habit. The light green stem has short internodes and has anthocyanin present. The medium green leaf is elliptic in shape has sparse pubescence and absent or very weak blistering.

The shape of the upper side of the inflorescence when viewed from the side is rounded. The corolla has a large diameter and long tube. The corolla tube is a white colour. The corolla lobe has a semi-erect to horizontal attitude, is medium in length and width with an ovate shape. The corolla lobe is white in colour. The anther pollen is whitish to yellowish in colour. The pistil is long. The stigma lobes are medium in size and white in colour.

Origin & Breeding History: 'Nakpen002' originated from a hybridization in Fujisawa, Japan in 1995 of the female parent Pentas 'New Look White' and the male parent Pentas 'New Look Salmon'. In 1996, F1 seed from the cross was sown in the greenhouse and later transplanted to an outdoor trial. F1 plants were evaluated and selected based on compact growth habit, branching growth habit and large flower clusters. The selections were intercrossed to produce F2 seed. In 1997, the F2 generation was sown evaluated, selected and intercrossed in the same manner. In 1998, the F3 generation was sown, evaluated, selected and intercrossed in the same manner. In 1999, F4 seed was sown in a greenhouse and later transplanted outdoors. The final selection was made during this trial. A single plant selection was made based on its white flower colour, branching and compact growth habit and large flower clusters. In 2001, the selection was evaluated in an indoor pot trial to confirm uniformity and stability of its characteristics. In 2003, another indoor pot trial and outdoor trial were performed to confirm uniqueness and that its unique characteristics reproduce true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation.

Tests & Trials: Test and trials were conducted in a polyhouse in Oxford Station, Ontario during the summer of 2005. 15 plants of each variety were individually grown in 10cm pots spaced about 15 cm apart.

Comparison tables for 'Nakpen002' with reference varieties 'Nakpen004' and 'New Look Pink'

Plant height (cm)

Plant width (cm)

Leaf length (cm)

Leaf width (cm)

Colour of corolla tube (RHS)

Colour of corolla lobe (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Pentas: 'Nakpen002' (left) with reference variety 'Nakpen004' (right)