plant named ‘FWURW18-0’

Abstract

A new and distinct Fuchsia cultivar named ‘FWURW18-0’ is disclosed, characterized a strong branching habit, floriferous plants, exceptional cold tolerance and flowering response is not dependent upon day length. Flowers have strong durable petals. The new variety is a Fuchsia, typically produced as a garden or container plant.

Description

Latin name of the genus and species: Fuchsia hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘FWURW18-0’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program. The new variety originated from a cross pollination of the seed parent, an unnamed, unpatented proprietary selection of Fuchsia hybrid with the pollen parent a different unnamed, unpatented Fuchsia hybrid. The crossing was made during July of 2010, at a research greenhouse in Foxley, United Kingdom. ‘FWURW18-0’ was discovered by the inventor, Marie Bradford, a citizen of the United Kingdom, at the same research greenhouse during May 2011.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘FWURW18-0’ was first performed in Foxley, United Kingdom at a research greenhouse by vegetative cuttings in September of 2011. ‘FWURW18-0’ has since produced several generations and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘FWURW18-0’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, 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 ‘FWURW18-0’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘FWURW18-0’ as a new and distinct Fuchsia cultivar:

• • 1. Strong branching habit.
  • 2. Floriferous plants.
  • 3. Flowering response not dependent upon day length.
  • 4. Thick, durable petals
  • 5. Hardy to −5° C., with foliage loss, but plants surviving.
  • 6. Strong stems
  • 7. Inflorescence colored very light pink with bright red-purple sepals.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘FWURW18-0’ are similar to plants of the seed parent, in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘FWURW18-0’ differ in the following:

• • 1. More vigorous plants
  • 2. Different flower color
  • 3. Flowering response not dependent upon day length, whereas the seed parent flowers under long day conditions.
  • 4. Stronger stems.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘FWURW18-0’ are similar to plants of the pollen parent in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘FWURW18-0’ differ in the following:

• • 1. New variety branches more easily without pinching.
  • 2. New variety has stronger stems.
  • 3. New variety has thicker petals.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Of the many Fuchsia varieties known to the inventor, the most similar is Fuchsia ‘Ernie’, unpatented. The new variety differs from plants of ‘Ernie’ in the following:

• • 1. New variety branches more easily without pinching.
  • 2. New variety has stronger stems.
  • 3. New variety has thicker petals.
  • 4. New variety has shorter internodes.
  • 5. New variety is more vigorous.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘FWURW18-0’ grown outdoors in Santa Paula, Calif. This plant is approximately 30 weeks old, shown in a 1 gallon pot. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Colour Chart, 2007, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘FWURW18-0’ plants in a commercial greenhouse in Santa Paula, Calif. Temperatures ranged from 10° C. to 29° C. night and day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Natural light conditions were approximately 2500 to 4000 fc of light. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

• Botanical classification: Fuchsia hybrid ‘FWURW18-0’.

PROPAGATION

• Propagation method: Vegetative Cuttings.
• Time to initiate roots: About 2 weeks at 15° C. to 22° C.
• Root description: Fine, densely fibrous.

PLANT

• Age of plant described: Approximately 17 weeks from 3 rooted cuttings.
• Pot size of plant described: 8 inch.
• Height: Approximately 28 cm from soil line of pot to top of foliar and uppermost flowering plane.
• Plant spread: Approximately 45 cm.
• Growth rate: Rapid.
• Growth habit: Upright, compact.
• Branching characteristics: Free branching.
• Length of primary lateral branches: Average 19 cm.
• Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 0.3 cm.
• Quantity of primary lateral branches: Approximately 22.
• Characteristics of primary lateral branches:
  • • Color.—Near RHS Greyed-Purple 185C.
    • Texture.—Glabrous.
    • Strength.—Strong, flexible.
• Internode length: Average range 1.9 cm to 4.8 cm.

FOLIAGE

• Leaf:
  • • Arrangement.—Opposite.
    • Quantity.—Approximately 8 to 14 fully expanded leaves per primary lateral branch.
    • Average length.—4.9 cm, including petiole.
    • Average width.—2.1 cm.
    • Shape of blade.—Ovate.
    • Apex.—Acute.
    • Base.—Oblique.
    • Margin.—Shallowly denate.
    • Texture of top surface.—Glabrous.
    • Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous.
    • Aspect.—Mostly flat.
    • Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Green 138A. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A, but darker. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137C.
    • Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS Greyed-Purple 185B. Venation color under side: Near RHS Greyed-Purple 185D.
    • Attachment.—Stalked.
    • Petiole.—Length: Average 1.1 cm. Diameter: Average 0.15 cm. Texture: Glabrous. Color: Upper surface: Near RHS Greyed-Purple 185A. Lower surface: Near RHS Greyed-Purple 185C.

FLOWER

• Natural flowering season: Year round under temperate conditions. Flowering is not dependent upon day length.
• Inflorescence and flower type and habit: At least 2 flowers emerge singly from each axil. Flowers emerge at different times, resulting in flowers of different maturity at each axil. Flowers are symmetrical and composed of a corolla surrounded by a decorative fused calyx. Flowers face outwardly.
• Flowers per plant: Approximately 65 fully open flower and 100 buds on a mature plant.
• Flower longevity on plant: Approximately 1 week for individual flowers.
• Persistent or self-cleaning: Self-cleaning.
• Flower size (petals and sepals only, not including protruding stamen and style):
  • • Length.—Approximately 2.5 cm.
    • Width.—Approximately 3.5 cm.
• Bud:
  • • Shape.—Oblong, with an inflated sphere at terminal end.
    • Length.—2.0 cm.
    • Diameter.—1.0 cm.
    • Color.—Near RHS Red 53C.
• Corolla:
  • • Petals (measured from separation at top of tube).—Number: Average 12. Length : Approximately 1.5 cm. Width: Approximately 1.1 cm. Shape: Obovate. Aspect: Slightly inwardly cupped or slightly undulating. Margin: Entire. Texture: Glabrous, all surfaces. Appearance: Matte. Apex: Obtuse. Color: When opening: Upper surface: Near RHS N155B, mid vein near Red-Purple 61B. Lower surface: Near RHS N155B, mid vein near Red-Purple 60B. Fully opened: Upper surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 65D, mid vein near Red-Purple 64A. Lower surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 65D, mid vein near Red-Purple 61B. Fading: Upper surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 65D, mid vein, and main laterals near Red-Purple 61B and 61C. Lower surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 65D, mid vein, and main laterals near Red-Purple 61C.
• Calyx:
  • • Form.—Funnelform base, separating approximately 25% from base, to flare out into 4 large decorative deltoid shaped sepals. Sepals reflexed back.
    • Fused section.—Length: Approximately 1.1 cm. Diameter: Approximately 0.9 cm.
    • Unfused section.—Length: Approximately 2.3 cm. Diameter: Approximately 0.9 cm.
    • Sepal texture.—Glabrous all surfaces.
    • Appearance.—Irridescent.
    • Apex.—Acute.
    • Color.—Upper Surface: Near RHS Red-Purple N57B. Lower Surface: Near RHS Red-Purple N57B.
    • Fragrance.—None.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

• • • Stamens.—Number (per flower): Typically 8. Filament length: Average 3.5 cm. Filament color: Near RHS Red-Purple N57B. Anthers: Shape: Globular. Length: Approximately 0.1 cm. Color: Near RHS Grey-Brown N199A. Pollen: Amount: Scarce, colored Orange-White 159C.
    • Pistils.—Quantity per flower: 1. Length: Approximately 5.8 cm. Style: Length: Approximately 5.3 cm. Color: Base near RHS N155B, upper section near Red-Purple N57A. Stigma: Shape: Globular. Color: Near Red-Purple N57A. Ovary: Length: Approximately 0.5 cm. Diameter: Approximately 0.4 cm. Color: Near RHS Green 143B.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

• Seeds and fruits: Not observed to date.
• Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to normal diseases and pests of Fuchsia has been observed.
• Temperature tolerance: Tolerates temperatures from approximately −5° C. to 38° C.
• Drought tolerance: No tolerance for drought.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Fuchsia plant named ‘FWURW18-0’ as herein illustrated and described.