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Imperial

Pelargonium

Denomination: 'Imperial'
Botanical Name: Pelargonium ×domesticum
Applicant/Holder: Dummen Group B.V.
P.O. Box 26
Coldenhovelaan 6, 2678 PS
De Lier
Netherlands
Breeder: David Lemon, Lompoc, United States of America
Agent in Canada: BioFlora Inc.
38723 Fingal Line
R.R. #1
St. Thomas, Ontario
N5P 3S5
Canada
Tel: 519-317-7511
Application Date: 1998-09-29
Application Number: 99-1654
Grant of Rights Date: 2005-03-07
Certificate Number: 2097
Date rights surrendered: 2015-03-07

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Camelot'

Summary: 'Imperial' has a shorter plant height than 'Camelot'. 'Imperial' has an open leaf base while 'Camelot' has a wide open leaf base. 'Imperial' has shallower margin incisions than 'Camelot'. 'Imperial' has a smaller inflorescence and floret diameter than 'Camelot'. 'Imperial' has a white margin on the petals while 'Camelot' has a violet margin. 'Imperial' has weaker undulation on the petal margin than 'Camelot'. The sepals of 'Imperial' have no anthocyanin colouration while the sepals of 'Camelot' have medium anthocyanin.

Description:

'Imperial' is a regal pelargonim which has an upright growth habit and dense branching. The stems are thin to medium in thickness and have dense pubescence. The leaf blade is medium green in colour and has an open base. The leaf has medium to strong lobing. The leaf margin has medium waviness and shallow incisions. There is sparse pubescence on the leaf blade and medium pubescence on the petiole.

The inflorescence of 'Imperial' has medium to dense pubescence on the peduncle. The petals are purple in colour with a white margin. The petals have weak undulation present and no petal markings. The sepals are medium in length and width and have no anthocyanin colouration on the outer side.

Origin & Breeding History: 'Imperial' originated from a cross made between 'Baron' and a numbered breeding line at Oglevee Ltd. in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, USA. The variety was first reproduced by cuttings on August 14, 1995.

Tests & Trials: 'Imperial' was tested in a greenhouse during the winter of 2003/2004 in St. Catharines, Ontario. The trials included 15 plants per variety. All plants were grown from cuttings rooted into 6cm cells and grown for 9 weeks with one pinch at 5 weeks. Plants were cold treated and given 14 hours of daylight for 4 weeks following which plants were transplanted into 15cm pots. Plants were grown for a further 12 weeks until flowering. All colour determinations were made using the 2001 RHS colour chart and measured characteristics were based on ten measurements.


Comparison tables for 'Imperial' with reference variety 'Camelot'

Plant height (cm)

  'Imperial' 'Camelot'
mean 23.7 26.8
std. deviation 1.34 1.75

Inflorescence diameter (cm)

  'Imperial' 'Camelot'
mean 10.4 12.0
std. deviation 0.30 0.72

Floret diameter (cm)

  'Imperial' 'Camelot'
mean 5.8 7.1
std. deviation 0.34 0.47

Upper petal colour (RHS)

  'Imperial' 'Camelot'
margin white N78C-D
middle 187A with N74A close to margin 187A with N74A close to margin

Lower petal colour (RHS)

  'Imperial' 'Camelot'
margin white N78D
middle 187A 187A
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