NCRX1

Rhododendron

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'PKT2011'

Summary: The mature leaf of 'NCRX1' is larger and has more hairs on the upper side than the mature leaf of 'PKT2011'. The inflorescence of 'NCRX1' has a medium number of flowers whereas the inflorescence of 'PKT2011' has many flowers. The margin of the inner side of the corolla lobe of 'NCRX1' is medium blue pink whereas the margin of the corolla lobe of 'PKT2011' is dark blue pink. The colour of the middle of the inner side of the corolla lobe is light blue pink for 'NCRX1' whereas that of 'PKT2011' is light violet. The markings on the inner side of the corolla throat of 'NCRX1' are absent or weak whereas those of 'PKT2011' are red. The margin of the corolla lobe of 'NCRX1' has a strong to very strong degree of undulation while that of 'PKT2011' has a weak degree of undulation. The anther of 'NCRX1' is purple whereas the anther of 'PKT2011' is yellow.

Description:

PLANT: evergreen type, upright growth habit, begins flowering early

YOUNG LEAF: medium green
MATURE LEAF: upper side dark green, lower side light green, elliptic shape, medium density of hairs on upper side

INFLORESCENCE: medium number of flowers
FLOWER: medium funnel shape, single type, absent or weak intensity of fragrance
COROLLA LOBE: strong to very strong undulation of margin
COROLLA LOBE (INNER SIDE): margin medium blue pink (closest to RHS 70D), middle light blue pink (RHS 69C-D)
COROLLA LOBE (OUTER SIDE): margin medium blue pink (closest to RHS 63C) fading to light blue pink (RHS 73D) with age, middle medium purple red (closest to RHS 63A)
MARKINGS ON INNER SIDE OF COROLLA THROAT: absent or very weak conspicuousness
ANTHER: purple

Origin & Breeding History: 'NCRX1' originated from a controlled cross conducted in June 2007 in Mills River, North Carolina between the female parent variety 'Pride's Early Red' and the proprietary male parent variety designated '2006-029'. A single unique seedling was selected from the resulting progeny in 2010 based on growth habit, flowering intensity, attractiveness and flower colour. Asexual reproduction of 'NCRX1' was first conducted by cuttings in 2010 in Mills River, North Carolina U.S.A.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial of 'NCRX1' was conducted in a polyhouse during the winter of 2022 and spring of 2023 at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included a total of 10 plants each of the candidate variety and reference variety. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings transplanted into 7.5 litre containers in the summer of 2021. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants each of the candidate and reference variety on May 6, 2023. The mean differences were significant at the 5% probability level based on a paired Student's t-test. All colour determinations were made using the 2015 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) colour chart.

Comparison tables for 'NCRX1' with reference variety 'PKT2011'

Leaf length (cm)

Leaf width (cm)

Number of flowers

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Rhododendron: 'NCRX1' (left) with reference variety 'PKT2011' (right)

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Rhododendron: 'NCRX1' (left) with reference variety 'PKT2011' (right)

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Rhododendron: 'NCRX1' (left) with reference variety 'PKT2011' (right)