NCRX2

Rhododendron

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Amy Cotta'

Summary: The mature leaf of 'NCRX2' is larger than that of 'Amy Cotta'. 'NCRX2' begins flowering mid-season whereas 'Amy Cotta' flowers very early. The inflorescence of 'NCRX2' has a medium number of flowers whereas that of 'Amy Cotta' has many flowers. The flower of 'NCRX2' is shorter than that of 'Amy Cotta'. When newly opened, the margin on the inner side of the corolla lobe of 'NCRX2' is dark blue pink whereas that of 'Amy Cotta' is light violet. When newly opened, the middle of the inner side of the corolla lobe of 'NCRX2' is dark blue pink whereas that of 'Amy Cotta' is light violet. The conspicuousness of the markings on the inner side of the corolla throat of 'NCRX2' are medium to strong whereas those of 'Amy Cotta' are absent or very weak. The margin of the corolla lobe of 'NCRX2' has a weak degree of undulation whereas that of 'Amy Cotta' has a medium to strong degree of undulation.

Description:

PLANT: evergreen type, upright growth habit, begins flowering mid-season

YOUNG LEAF: light green
MATURE LEAF: upper side dark green, lower side light to medium green, elliptic, absent or very sparse hairiness of upper side

INFLORESCENCE: medium number of flowers
FLOWER: open funnel shape, single type, absent or weak intensity of fragrance
COROLLA LOBE: medium degree of undulation of margin
COROLLA LOBE (INNER SIDE): margin dark blue pink (RHS N74C) with medium purple (RHS N74B) veins when newly opened, margin light violet (RHS 75A and N75A) when mature, middle dark blue pink (RHS N74C) when newly opened, middle light violet (RHS 75A and N75A) with dark blue pink (RHS N74C) tones when mature
COROLLA LOBE (OUTER SIDE): margin dark blue pink (RHS N74C) when newly opened, margin light violet (RHS 75A) with some dark blue pink (RHS N74C) when mature, middle light violet (RHS 75A) and dark blue pink (RHS N74C) with medium purple (RHS N74B) along veins when mature
COROLLA THROAT (MARKINGS ON INNER SIDE): medium to strong conspicuousness, red pink (RHS 53C) spots, spots not touching

Origin & Breeding History: 'NCRX2' originated from a controlled cross conducted in 2007 in Mills River, North Carolina, U.S.A. between the female parent variety 'Elite' and the male parent variety 'Bubblegum'. A single unique seedling was selected from the resulting progeny in June 2009 based on plant growth habit, flowering intensity, flower colour and winter foliage colour. Asexual reproduction of 'NCRX2' was first conducted by cuttings in June 2009 in Mills River, North Carolina U.S.A.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial of 'NCRX2' was conducted in a polyhouse during the winter of 2021 and spring of 2022 at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included a total of 8 plants of the candidate variety and 6 plants of the reference variety. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings transplanted into 7.5 litre containers in the spring of 2021. Observations and measurements were taken from 8 plants or 10 parts of plants of the candidate variety, and from 6 plants or 10 parts of plants of the reference variety on March 17, 2022 (for flowers), and on August 16, 2022 for all other characteristics. The mean differences were significant at the 5% probability level based on a paired Student's t-test. All colour determinations were made using the 2015 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) colour chart.

Comparison tables for 'NCRX2' with reference variety 'Amy Cotta'

Leaf length (cm)

Leaf width (cm)

Flower length (cm)

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Rhododendron: 'NCRX2' (left) with reference variety 'Amy Cotta' (right)

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Rhododendron: 'NCRX2' (left) with reference variety 'Amy Cotta' (right)

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Rhododendron: 'NCRX2'