Begonia plant named `Julie`
A distinct cultivar of Begonia plant named `Julie`, characterized by its attractive bright yellow and red bi-colored fully double flowers that are about 5 cm in diameter; resistance to Powdery Mildew under commercial greenhouse conditions; and excellent postproduction longevity.
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The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Begonia plant, botanically known asBegonia X hiemalis, commercially known as Elatior Begonia, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name `Julie`.
The new cultivar was discovered by the inventor in a controlled environment in Amstelveen, The Netherlands, in 1996, as a naturally-occurring mutation of the nonpatented Elatior Begonia cultivar `Yutta`. The new cultivar was observed as a single plant in a group of 13-cm flowering plants of the parent cultivar. The selection of this plant was based on its yellow and red bi-colored flowers and more fully double flowers. A detailed comparison of plants of the new Begonia and the cultivar `Yutta` appears in Chart A at the end of the specification.
Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal cuttings taken in a controlled environment in Amstelveen, The Netherlands, has shown that the unique features of this new Begonia are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.
The cultivar `Julie` has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, daylength and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of `Julie`. These characteristics in combination distinguish `Julie` as a new and distinct cultivar:
1. Attractive bright yellow and red bi-colored fully double flowers that are about 5 cm in diameter.
2. Resistance to Powdery Mildew under commercial greenhouse conditions.
3. Excellent postproduction longevity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHThe accompanying colored photograph illustrates the overall appearance of the new cultivar, showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. The photograph comprises a top perspective view of a typical flowering plant of `Julie`. Flower and foliage colors in the photograph may differ from the actual colors due to light reflectance.
DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTIONIn the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. the following observations and measurements describe plants grown in Amstelveen, the Netherlands, that were flowered in June/July under commercial practice in a glass-covered greenhouse. Average day temperatures were 20.degree. C. and average night temperatures were 18.degree. C. The maximum light level was 18,000 lux. Measurements and numerical values represent averages for six typical flowering plants.
Botanical classification: Begonia X heimalis cultivar `Julie`.
Commercial classification: Elatior Begonia.
Parentage: Naturally-occurring mutation of Begonia X hiemalis cultivar `Yutta`.
Propagation:
Type.--Terminal cuttings.
Time to rooting.--About 14 days with soil temperatures of 23.degree. C.
Rooting habit.--Fine, fibrous and well-branched.
Plant description:
Plant form.--Upright and rounded potted plant, freely branching with good stem and stem base strength. Flowers are fully double and abundant. Plants flower continuously.
Growth habit.--Moderate growth rate and moderately vigorous. Suitabe for 13-cm containers. Under optimal environmental and cultural conditions, usually 10 weeks are required to produce proportional 13-cm potted plants from terminal cuttings. Vegetative shoots are formed at basal nodes and flowering shoots are formed at upper nodes.
Plant height.--About 30 cm.
Plant width.--About 25 cm.
Leaves.--Arrangement: Simple, alternate. Length: About 13 cm. Width: About 11 cm. Shape: Asymmetrically ovate. Apex: Acute. Base: Cordate, overlapping. Margin: Slightly doubly serrate. Texture: Smooth, shiny, leathery. Color: Young foliage: Upper surface: 139A. Lower surface: 138B. Fully expanded foliage: Upper surface: 131A. Lower surface: 138B.
Flower description:
Flowering habit.--Fully double flowers arranged in axillary cymes. Many cymes in flower simultaneously. Flowering continuous.
Natural flowering season.--Plant will flower year around regardless of daylength, however plant will flower earlier and more abundantly if daylength is 12 hours or less. Usually plant starts flowering after about 7 weeks of start of short day/long night treatments.
Flowers.--Shape: Rounded, cupped. Diameter: About 5 cm. Depth (height): About 1 cm.
Tepals.--Arrangement: Rosette. Shape: Flat to cupped, rounded with entire margin. Quantity per flower: Usually 14 to 20 per flower. Color: When Opening: Upper surface: Yellow, 5B, at center with red, 44B, at margin. Lower Surface: Yellow, 3D, at center with red, 44B, at margin. Fully opened: Upper surface: Yellow, 5B/6A, at center with red, 44B, at margin. Red margin is 1 to 4 mm in width. Lower surface: Yellow, 3D, at center with red, 44B, at margin. Texture: Smooth, velvety, glabrous.
Sepals.--Arrangement: Two, opposite. Color: 144A.
Reproductive organs.--Stamens: None. Pistils: None.
Postproduction longevity:
Individual flowers.--Generally 2 to 3 weeks.
Whole plants.--About 6 weeks under interior conditions.
Disease resistance: Plants of the cultivar Julie are resistant to Powdery Mildew under greenhouse conditions.
Seed production: Seed production has not been observed as reproductive organs are not formed.
______________________________________ CHART A CHARACTERISTIC `JULIE` `YUTTA` ______________________________________ YOUNG LEAF COLOR, 139A 147A UPPER SURFACE YOUNG LEAF COLOR, 138B 138B LOWER SURFACE FULLY EXPANDED LEAF 131A 147A COLOR, UPPER SURFACE FULLY EXPANDED LEAF 138B 138B COLOR, LOWER SURFACE FLOWER FORM Double Semi-double FLOWER DIAMETER About 5 cm About 5.5 cm NUMBER OF TEPALS 14 to 20 per 6 to 8 per flower flower TEPAL COLOR, WHEN Center: 5B Center: 2C OPENING, UPPER SURFACE Margin: 44B Margin: 33B TEPAL COLOR, WHEN Center: 3D Center: 1D OPENING, LOWER SURFACE Margin: 44B Margin: 33B TEPAL COLOR, FULLY Center: 5B/6A Center: 2C/4B OPENED, UPPER SURFACE Margin: 44B Margin: 33B TEPAL COLOR, FULLY Center: 3D Center: 1D OPENED, LOWER SURFACE Margin: 44B Margin: 33B WIDTH OF TEPAL MARGIN, 1 to 4 mm 0.5 to 2 mm FULLY OPENED, UPPER SURFACE ______________________________________
Claims
1. A new and distinct culivar of Begonia plant named `Julie`, as illustrated and described.
Type: Grant
Filed: Sep 4, 1997
Date of Patent: Feb 23, 1999
Assignee: Begonia Breeders Assoc., B.V. (Aalsmeer)
Inventor: Jan Man (Amstelveen)
Primary Examiner: Howard J. Locker
Assistant Examiner: Kent L. Bell
Attorney: C. A. Whealy
Application Number: 8/923,729
International Classification: A01H 500;