G14161

Polka Dot Plant

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Splash Select Pink'

Summary: The plants of 'G14161' are upright-bushy and shorter and wider than those of 'Splash Select Pink', which are narrow upright. The plants of 'G14161' have a medium to high degree of branching while those of 'Splash Select Pink' have a very high degree of branching. The leaf of 'G14161' is larger than that of 'Splash Select Pink'. The inflorescence of 'G14161' has none to very few flowers while that of 'Splash Select Pink' has many flowers.

Description:

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

STEM: grey brown (RHS 199A) with reddish tones, medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration, very sparse pubescence, dense pubescence at nodes, medium to thick, edged shape

PETIOLE: medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium brown (closest to RHS 177A)
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
MATURE LEAF BLADE (UPPER SIDE): mainly brown green (RHS N137A, as dark as RHS 147A), margin is dark brown (closest to RHS 200A), secondary colour is blue pink to light blue pink (RHS 62A-B) fading to lighter blue pink (RHS 62C) distributed as irregularly shaped spots, medium to strong density pubescence along midrib
MATURE LEAF BLADE (LOWER SIDE): mainly grey (RHS 197A) and grey brown (RHS N199A) with brown green (closest to RHS 148A) tones, secondary colour is white (RHS NN155A), light blue pink (RHS 62D) and grey (RHS 157A) distributed as irregularly shaped spots, medium density pubescence along midrib

PEDICEL: green brown, medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration, no pubescence, medium density pubescence at nodes
INFLORESCENCE: absent to very few flowers
UPPER LOBE: violet (closest to RHS N81B)

Origin & Breeding History: 'G14161' 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 'G14161' 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 'G14161' was selected as a single plant on August 15, 2014 based on its vigorous plant growth, mounded growth habit, large thick leaves, predominantly pink leaf colour, late flowering time and improved sun tolerance. 'G14161' was first propagated by terminal cuttings on August 15, 2014 in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'G14161' 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 'G14161' and seed plugs of 'Splash Select Pink' 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 'G14161' with reference variety 'Splash Select Pink'

Plant height (cm)

Plant width (cm)

Leaf length (cm)

Leaf width (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Polka Dot Plant: 'G14161' (left) with reference variety 'Splash Select Pink' (right)

Click on image for larger view

Polka Dot Plant: 'G14161' (left) with reference variety 'Splash Select Pink' (right)

Click on image for larger view

Polka Dot Plant: 'G14161' (left) with reference variety 'Splash Select Pink' (right)