Baldelhon

Dahlia

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Baldelstrem' (Delicious Strawberry Cream)

Summary: 'Baldelhon' is shorter in plant height than 'Baldelstrem'. The leaf of 'Baldelhon' is a simple type while in 'Baldelstrem' it is mainly a compound type. 'Baldelhon' has fewer leaf margin incisions than 'Baldelstrem'. The peduncle of 'Baldelhon' has a weaker intensity of anthocyanin colouration than 'Baldelstrem'. The upper side of the ray floret of 'Baldelhon' is mainly a yellow brown colour while in 'Baldelstrem' it is mainly a light blue pink. 'Baldelhon' has a red colour on the lower side of the ray floret while it is light blue pink in 'Baldelstrem'.

Description:

PLANT: upright habit
STEM: light green, no anthocyanin colouration
LEAF: simple type, medium green, no wings on petiole, medium number of moderate depth incisions, smooth to very weakly rugose texture to upper surface, veins on upper surface flat to raised

FLOWER: medium anthocyanin colouration on peduncle, located moderately above the foliage, right angle to moderately acute attitude relative to peduncle, decorative daisy-eyed double type, yellow-orange bicolour, moderate density of ray florets
RAY FLORET: mainly straight along the longitudinal axis, slight recurvature of the tip, moderately concave in u-shape in cross section at midpoint, mainly flat lateral margin at middle, rounded to pointed tip, blended colour pattern, yellow brown (RHS 167C) at apex and margin of upper side, bright yellow (RHS 5A) at middle and base of upper side, red (RHS 43A) at middle and apex of lower side, yellow (RHS 4A) at base of lower side
DISC: medium diameter in relation to flower head diameter, dark yellow colour before anther dehiscence, yellow orange colour at dehiscence

Origin & Breeding History: 'Baldelhon' originated in a controlled breeding program on May 1, 2002 at Rijsenhout, Noordholland, The Netherlands. The female parent was the proprietary dahlia selection '1151', characterized by its white flower colour and upright growth habit, with the male parent being 'Dapasuje' (Jenny) characterized by its orange-red flower colour and compact growth habit. Initial selection was made on May 1, 2003 based on flower colour, and branching growth habit.

Tests & Trials: Trials were conducted in a polyhouse in the spring/summer of 2006 in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included 15 plants of the candidate and reference varieties each individually grown in 15cm pots. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety. All colour measurements were made using the 2001 RHS colour chart.

Comparison tables for 'Baldelhon' with reference variety 'Baldelstrem'

Plant height: (cm)

Ray Floret colour: (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Dahlia: 'Baldelhon' (left) with reference variety 'Baldelstrem' (right)