Zolcaros

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Fisblufort' (Blues) and 'Fisbravo' (Bravo)

Summary: 'Zolcaros' has a shorter, narrower leaf blade than 'Fisbravo'. The waviness of the leaf margin is weaker for 'Zolcaros' than for 'Fisblufort'. 'Zolcaros' has a smaller inflorescence diameter than the reference varieties. 'Zolcaros' has stronger anthocyanin colouration on the peduncle than 'Fisblufort'. The margin of the upper side of the upper petal is purple red for 'Zolcaros' while it is blue pink for 'Fisblufort' and light blue pink for 'Fisbravo'. 'Zolcaros' has a narrower lower petal width than the reference varieties. 'Zolcaros' has a medium red pedicel while it is green and light red for 'Fisblufort' and dark red for 'Fisbravo'.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit, short to medium height, narrow to medium width, low to medium number of branches
STEM: green, thin to medium thickness, dense pubescence

LEAF BLADE: short to medium length, narrow to medium width, open base, lobing present
MARGIN: bicrenate to biserrate, shallow to medium incisions, medium to strong waviness
UPPER SIDE: dense to very dense pubescence, medium to dark green, no variegation
LEAF ZONE: normal position, very weak conspicuousness, green
PETIOLE: short to medium length, dense pubescence

INFLORESCENCE: pink colour group, low to medium number per plant, medium diameter
PEDUNCLE: medium length, dense pubescence, strong anthocyanin colouration
FLORET: elliptic bud, single to semi-double, medium to large diameter, medium number of petals, margin entire
UPPER PETAL: medium width, upper side purple red with strong purple red macule and purple red striped markings with a large white zone at the base, lower side purple-red
LOWER PETAL: medium width, upper side purple red with strong macule markings and medium to large white zone at base, lower side is purple red
PEDICEL: medium length, dense pubescence, medium red on middle third, no swelling
SEPAL: dense pubescence, green and red at the base and in streaks

Origin & Breeding History: 'Zolcaros' originated from a controlled pollination conducted in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands in 2000. The female parent was designated H2152-7 and fertilized with pollen from J2225-1. A single seedling was selected in April 2001 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 'Zolcaros' 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 'Zolcaros' with reference varieties 'Fisblufort' and 'Fisbravo'

Leaf blade length (cm)

Leaf blade width (cm)

Inflorescence diameter (cm)

Colour of upper petal (RHS)

Lower petal width (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Pelargonium: 'Zolcaros' (left) with reference varieties 'Fisblufort' (centre) and 'Fisbravo' (right)