G14157

Polka Dot Plant

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Splash Select Red'

Summary: The plants of 'G14157' are upright-bushy and shorter and wider than those of 'Splash Select Red', which are narrow upright. The plants of 'G14157' have a medium degree of branching while those of 'Splash Select Red' have a high degree of branching. The leaf of 'G14157' is larger than that of 'Splash Select Red'. The inflorescence of 'G14157' has none to very few flowers while that of 'Splash Select Red' has many flowers.

Description:

PLANT: vegetatively propagated, annual type, upright bushy growth habit, medium degree of branching, begins flowering late season

STEM: brown purple (closest to RHS 187A), very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or very sparse pubescence, medium to thick, edged shape

PETIOLE: very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, dark brown (redder than RHS 200B)
LEAF: opposite arrangement along stem
LEAF BLADE: ovate, acute apex, truncate base, entire to broadly crenate margin, very shallow margin incisions, no pubescence on upper and lower sides, no variegation
YOUNG LEAF BLADE (UPPER SIDE): mainly dark green (RHS 144A) developing to darker green (RHS 143A) and brown green (RHS N137B)
MATURE LEAF BLADE (UPPER SIDE): mainly green grey (closest to RHS N189A), secondary colour is brown purple (RHS 185B) and dark purple red (closest to RHS 53A) distributed as irregularly shaped spots, medium density pubescence along midrib
MATURE LEAF BLADE (LOWER SIDE): mainly dark brown (RHS 200B), secondary colour is brown purple (RHS 183D/184C) distributed as irregularly shaped spots, sparse to medium density pubescence along midrib

INFLORESCENCE: absent to very few flowers

Origin & Breeding History: 'G14157' originated from an induced mutation conducted by the breeders, Michael S. Uchneat and Irene E. Palmer, while employed at Garden Genetics LLC, Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. An induced mutation of the Hypoestes variety 'G14157' was conducted on October 29, 2013 when pre-germinated seed of the variety 'Splash Select Mix' were soaked in a 5% colchicine solution. The treated seedlings were grown and propagated by cuttings on March 12, 2014 to help stabilize the mutations. The new variety 'G14157' was selected as a single plant on August 15, 2014 based on its vigorous plant growth, mounded growth habit, large thick leaves, predominantly red leaf colour, late flowering time and improved sun tolerance. 'G14157' was first propagated by terminal cuttings on August 15, 2014 in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'G14157' was conducted in a polyhouse during the summer of 2018 at BioFlora Inc., in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included 20 plants each of the candidate and reference variety. Rooted cuttings of 'G14157' and seed plugs of 'Splash Select Red' were transplanted into 10 cm pots on April 27, 2018. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants, or parts of plants, of each variety on August 15, 2018. All colour determinations were made using the 2007 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'G14157' with reference variety 'Splash Select Red'

Plant height (cm)

Plant width (cm)

Leaf length (cm)

Leaf width (cm)

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Polka Dot Plant: 'G14157' (left) with reference variety 'Splash Select Red' (right)

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Polka Dot Plant: 'G14157' (left) with reference variety 'Splash Select Red' (right)

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Polka Dot Plant: 'G14157' (left) with reference variety 'Splash Select Red' (right)