Sil Hero

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Balshorozle' (Showcase Rose Sizzle)

Summary: The stems of 'Sil Hero' are a medium thickness while those of 'Balshorozle' are thin. 'Sil Hero' has leaf blades with a closed to partly overlapping base while 'Balshorozle' has leaf blades with an open to closed base. 'Sil Hero' is dark green on the upper side of the leaf blade while 'Balshorozle' is medium green. There is no zone present on the upper side of the leaf blade of 'Sil Hero' while there is a zone present on that of 'Balshorozle'. 'Sil Hero' differs from 'Balshorozle' in the colour of the margin and middle of the upper side of the upper and lower petals. The white zone at the base of the lower petals of 'Sil Hero' is small while that of 'Balshorozle' is medium sized. 'Sil Hero' has sepals which are green with red at the base while 'Balshorozle' has sepals which are red.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit
STEM: green, medium thickness, dense pubescence

LEAF BLADE: closed to partly overlapping base, weak degree of lobing
LEAF MARGIN: crenate, very shallow incisions, weak waviness
UPPER SIDE OF LEAF BLADE: medium pubescence, dark green, no variegation
LEAF ZONE: present, medium to strong conspicuousness, normal position on upper side, reddish brown
PETIOLE: dense pubescence

PEDUNCLE: dense pubescence, strong anthocyanin colouration
INFLORESCENCE: pink to red colour group
PEDICEL: dense pubescence, medium red middle third, no swelling
SEPAL: dense pubescence, green with red base
FLOWER BUD: elliptic
FLOWER: semi-double, overlapping of petals present, entire to slightly fringed margin
UPPER PETAL: red purple (RHS N74A) margin edge with red (RHS 45B) speckles on upper side, red (RHS 45A-B) middle on upper side, red (RHS 43B) with white at base on upper side, striped and macule markings present, medium conspicuousness of markings, purple (RHS 58A) striped markings, medium sized white zone at base, dark pink red (RHS 53C) with purple red (RHS N66B) margin edge on lower side
LOWER PETAL: red purple (RHS N74A) margin on upper side, red (RHS 45A-B) middle on upper side, macule markings present, medium conspicuousness of markings, small white zone at base present, blue pink (RHS 73A) with purple red (RHS 66B) margin on lower side

Origin & Breeding History: 'Sil Hero' originated from a cross between the female parent, proprietary breeding selection designated G414 and the male parent 'Sil Raiko'. The cross was conducted from July to December of 2001 at Silze GmbH & Co. KG, Germany as part of a controlled breeding program. The initial selection of 'Sil Hero' was made in June 2002 based on flower colour, flower shape, foliage colour and growth habit. The variety has been reproduced by vegetativve cuttings since its selection.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Sil Hero' were conducted in a polyhouse during the summer of 2009 in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included 15 plants each of the candidate and reference varieties. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings and transplanted into 15 cm pots on April 24, 2009. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety on June 25, 2009. All colour determinations were made using the 2007 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison table for 'Sil Hero' with reference variety 'Balshorozle'

Colour of upper side of petals (RHS)

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Pelargonium: 'Sil Hero' (left) with reference variety 'Balshorozle' (right)

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Pelargonium: 'Sil Hero' (left) with reference variety 'Balshorozle' (right)

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Pelargonium: 'Sil Hero' (left) with reference variety 'Balshorozle' (right)