Balsunplum

Petunia

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Balsundalav' (Suncatcher Dark Lavender Vein)

Summary: 'Balsunplum' is a petunia variety which has very narrow to narrow plants, whereas the reference variety 'Balsundalav' has medium to broad plants. The flowers of 'Balsunplum' are blue pink, compared with 'Balsundalav' which has violet coloured flowers. The veins on the upper and lower sides of the corolla of 'Balsunplum' are strongly conspicuous, whereas the veins on the corolla of 'Balsundalav' are only moderately conspicuous.

Description:

PLANT: semi-upright growth habit, short to medium height, very narrow to narrow width

SHOOT: very thin to thin, very short to short, very weak to weak anthocyanin colouration (on pedicels only)

LEAF: short to medium, narrow to medium width, elliptic, narrow acute apex, no variegation, medium green upper side, no blistering, petiole short to medium length

SEPAL: medium length, very narrow to narrow, linear, anthocyanin colouration at base only

FLOWER: long pedicel, single, medium to wide diameter, funnelform
COROLLA: moderate to strong lobing, blue pink upper side, blue pink lower side, veins purple red and strongly conspicuous, weak to medium undulation of margin
COROLLA TUBE: long to very long, veins dark brown and strongly conspicuous
ANTHER: light violet before pollen dehiscence, violet after dehiscence

Origin & Breeding History: 'Balsunplum' originated from a cross conducted during November, 2003, at Arroyo Grande, California, as part of a controlled breeding program. The female parent was the proprietary petunia breeding selection designated WH2130-3, characterized by its lavender flower colour with purple coloured veins, dark green leaf and semi-upright growth habit. The male parent of 'Balsunplum' was the proprietary petunia breeding selection designated 1553-1, characterized by its pink flower colour with rose coloured veins, dark green leaf and trailing growth habit. The initial selection was made on August 19, 2004. Asexual propagation since that time has been through the use of vegetative cuttings. 'Balsunplum' was selected for its large flower size and mounded trailing, growth habit.

Tests & Trials: The trials for 'Balsunplum' were conducted during the spring of 2007, in a polyhouse in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trials consisted of a total of 15 plants of the candidate and reference varieties. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings planted into 15cm pots on April 24, 2007. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety on June 5, 2007. All colour measurements were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour chart.

Comparison tables for 'Balsunplum' with reference variety 'Balsundalav'

Width of plant (cm)

Width of leaf (cm)

Main colour of corolla (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Petunia: 'Balsunplum' (left) with reference variety 'Balsundalav' (right)

Click on image for larger view

Petunia: 'Balsunplum' (left) with reference variety 'Balsundalav' (right)

Click on image for larger view

Petunia: 'Balsunplum' (left) with reference variety 'Balsundalav' (right)