Balplapink

Snapdragon

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Balumpink' (Luminaire Pink)

Summary: The plants of 'Balplapink' are more upright and taller with sparser branching and shorter leaves than those of 'Balumpink'. The shape of the leaf blade apex is broad acute for 'Balplapink' while it is acute for 'Balumpink'. 'Balplamag' has a semi-peloric floret type while 'Balumpink' has a normal floret type. The fully opened floret for 'Balplapink' has light blue pink lobes of the upper and lower lips while they are darker blue pink for 'Balumpink'. The lobes of the lower lip are strongly reflexed for 'Balplapink' while they are weakly incurved for 'Balumpink'.

Description:

'Balplapink' has an upright bushy plant growth habit with moderately dense branching. The stem has no anthocyanin colouration. Pubescence of the stem is dense on the upper part and sparse near the base. The leaf blade is lanceolate in shape with a broadly acute apex and attenuate base. Pubescence of the leaf blade is absent on the upper side and mostly absent on the lower side. The upper side of the leaf blade is dark green and dull. There is a very small petiole.

The inflorescence of 'Balplapink' is dense and the florets are semi-peloric type. The shape of the sepals is ovate. The lobes of the upper lip of the floret are moderately to strongly reflexed with moderate undulation of the margin. There are no stripes on the lobes of the upper lip. The lobes of the lower lip of the floret are large and strongly reflexed with moderate undulation of the margin. The sinuses between the lobes of the lower lip are deep. There are no stripes on the lobes of the lower lip. Upon opening, the upper and lower lobes of the floret are purple red to light blue pink and fade to lighter blue pink at maturity. The palate is purple red blended with yellow at the base and yellow on the upper part.

Origin & Breeding History: 'Balplapink' originated from a controlled breeding program which took place during December of 2001 in Arroyo Grande, California, USA. The female parent was a proprietary breeding selection designated 'BFP-0818' and characterized by its upright plant growth habit, semi-peloric, lavender flowers and silver green foliage. The male parent was another proprietary breeding selection designated 'BFP-459' and characterized by its semi-trailing plant growth habit, semi-peloric, yellow flowers and dark green foliage. The initial selection of 'Balplapink' took place in April of 2002.

Tests & Trials: The test and trial for 'Balplapink' was conducted in a polyhouse at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario during the summer of 2005. The trial included 15 plants of each variety. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings and transplanted into 4.5 inch pots on July 27, 2005. All colour characteristics were determined using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) colour chart and measured characteristics were based on ten measurements.

Comparison tables for 'Balplapink' with reference variety 'Balumpink'

Plant height (cm)

Leaf length (cm)

Colour of inner side of newly opened floret (RHS)

Colour of inner side of fully opened floret (RHS)

Colour of palate

Click on image for larger view

Snapdragon: 'Balplapink' (left) with reference variety 'Balumpink' (right)