Zonaroma

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Americana Dark Red'

Summary: 'Zonaroma' differs from the reference variety, 'Americana Dark Red', mainly in flower colour and colour of the middle third of the pedicel. The flowers of 'Zonaroma' are slightly darker red than those of 'Americana Dark Red'. The middle third of the pedicel of 'Zonaroma' is light red whereas it is medium to dark red on 'Americana Dark Red'.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit, medium to tall, medium to broad in width, few to medium number of branches
STEM: green, medium thickness, dense pubescence

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

INFLORESCENCE: red colour group, medium number per plant, medium diameter
PEDUNCLE: medium length, dense pubescence, very weak anthocyanin colouration
FLORET: bud elliptic, semi-double, small to medium diameter, medium number of petals, margin entire
UPPER PETAL: medium width, upper side red with weak red striped markings and small white zone at base, lower side red
LOWER PETAL: broad, red on upper and lower sides, no markings, small white zone at base
PEDICEL: medium in length, dense pubescence, light red on middle third, no swelling
SEPAL: dense pubescence, green with some red streaks

Origin & Breeding History: 'Zonaroma' originated from a controlled pollination made in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands in 2001. The female parent, identified as number 2060 was crossed 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 'Zonaroma' were conducted in a polyhouse during the summer of 2006 at St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included 15 plants of the candidate and reference varieties. Rooted cuttings were planted into 10 cm pots on May 1, 2006 and then 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 'Zonaroma' with reference variety 'Americana Dark Red'

Colour of upper petal (RHS)

Colour of lower petal (RHS)

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Pelargonium: 'Zonaroma' (left) with reference variety 'Americana Dark Red' (right)

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Pelargonium: 'Zonaroma' (left) with reference variety 'Americana Dark Red' (right)