Zoanro

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Balsholila' (Showcase Light Lavender) and 'Fip 749' (Tango Lavender Pink)

Summary: 'Zoanro' has a more conspicuous leaf zone than the reference varieties. 'Zoanro' has a reddish brown zone while the reference varieties have green zones. 'Zoanro' has a shorter peduncle than 'Balsholila'. The upper and lower petals of 'Zoanro' are broader than those of 'Balsholila'. The middle of the upper side of the upper petal is violet with blue pink tones for 'Zoanro' while it is blue pink for 'FIP 749' and light blue pink for 'Balsholila'. The white zone at the base of the upper petal is medium in size for 'Zoanro' while it is large for the reference varieties.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit, medium height, medium to broad, medium number of branches
STEM: green, thick, dense pubescence

LEAF BLADE: medium to long, medium to broad, open base, lobing present
MARGIN: bicrenate, shallow to medium incisions, medium to strong waviness
UPPER SIDE: dense pubescence, medium green, no variegation
LEAF ZONE: normal position, medium to strong conspicuousness, reddish brown
PETIOLE: medium length, dense pubescence

INFLORESCENCE: pink colour group, few to medium number per plant, medium to large diameter
PEDUNCLE: medium length, dense pubescence, weak to medium anthocyanin colouration
FLORET: elliptic bud, semi-double, medium diameter, medium number of petals, margin entire
UPPER PETAL: medium to broad, upper side violet with blue pink tones, moderately conspicuous purple red striped markings and medium white zone at base, lower side pink violet
LOWER PETAL: broad, upper side blue pink with no markings and very small white zone at base, lower side blue pink
PEDICEL: medium to long, dense pubescence, medium red on middle third, no swelling
SEPAL: dense pubescence, green with red at base

Origin & Breeding History: 'Zoanro' originated from a controlled pollination conducted in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands in 2001. The female parent, identified as 2082 was fertilized with a mixture of pollen from several selected male plants. A single seedling was selected in April 2002 and propagated by cuttings. The new pelargonium was tested one year later at greenhouse and field performance trials in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands and evaluated for criteria including earliness, good branching, good and stable flower colour, flower size, rich and continuous flowering and resistance against Botrytis. In the same year it was tested in Sarrians, Southern France for heat resistance and resistance to drought stress.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Zoanro' were conducted in a polyhouse during the summer of 2006 at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included 15 plants per variety. Rooted cuttings were planted into 10 cm pots on May 1, 2006 and were transplanted into 20 cm pots on June 26, 2006. Measured characteristics were based on 10 measurements. All colour determinations were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Zoanro' with reference varieties 'Balsholila' and 'Fip 749'

Peduncle length (cm)

Upper petal width (cm)

Colour of upper petal (RHS)

Lower petal width (cm)

Colour of lower petal (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Pelargonium: 'Zoanro' (left) with reference varieties 'Fip 749' (centre) and 'Balsholila' (right)