plant named ‘HIQ 1603’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plant named ‘HIQ 1603’, characterized by its upright, mounding and bushy plant habit; dark green-colored leaves; uniform and freely flowering habit; large double, bright red-colored flowers; and good flower longevity.

Description

Botanical designation: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis.

Cultivar denomination: ‘HIQ 1603’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plant, botanically known as Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘HIQ 1603’.

The new Hibiscus plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Sabro, Denmark. The objective of the breeding program is to create new strong Hibiscus plants with attractive and long-lasting flowers.

The new Hibiscus plant originated from a cross-pollination in August, 2009 in Sabro, Denmark of a proprietary selection of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis identified as code designation GB 2007-1511, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis identified as code designation GB 2007-1958, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Hibiscus plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in Sabro, Denmark in May, 2010.

Asexual reproduction of the new Hibiscus plant by vegetative terminal cuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in Sabro, Denmark since September, 2010 has shown that the unique features of this new Hibiscus plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Hibiscus have not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature 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 ‘HIQ 1603’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘HIQ 1603’ as a new and distinct Hibiscus plant:

• • 1. Upright, mounding and bushy plant habit.
  • 2. Dark green-colored leaves.
  • 3. Uniform and freely flowering habit.
  • 4. Large double, bright red-colored flowers.
  • 5. Good flower longevity.

Plants of the new Hibiscus can be compared to plants of the female parent selection. Plants of the new Hibiscus differ primarily from plants of the female parent selection in the following characteristics:

• • 1. Plants of the new Hibiscus are more freely flowering than plants of the female parent selection.
  • 2. Flowers of plants of the new Hibiscus are longer-lasting than flowers of plants of the female parent selection.

Plants of the new Hibiscus can be compared to plants of the male parent selection. Plants of the new Hibiscus differ primarily from plants of the male parent selection in the following characteristics:

• • 1. Plants of the new Hibiscus are more freely branching than plants of the male parent selection.
  • 2. Flowers of plants of the new Hibiscus are longer-lasting than flowers of plants of the male parent selection.

Plants of the new Hibiscus can be compared to plants of the Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Adonicus Red’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,836. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Hibiscus differ from plants of ‘Adonicus Red’ in the following characteristics:

• • 1. Flowers of plants of the new Hibiscus are double in form whereas flowers of plants of ‘Adonicus Red’ are single in form.
  • 2. Plants of the new Hibiscus and ‘Adonicus Red’ differ slightly in flower color as plants of ‘Adonicus Red’ have darker red-colored flowers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Hibiscus plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Hibiscus plant.

The photograph on the first sheet is a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘HIQ 1603’ grown in a container.

The photograph on the second sheet is a close-up view of typical developing flower buds and a typical open flower of ‘HIQ 1603’.

The photograph on the third sheet is a close-up view of a typical dissected flower of ‘HIQ 1603’ showing the upper surfaces of the petals.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations, measurements and values describe plants grown during the autumn in 13-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Sabro, Denmark and under cultural practices typical of commercial Hibiscus production. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 20° C. to 25° C., night temperatures ranged from 19° C. to 21° C. and light levels ranged from 40 to 50 klux. Plants were pinched one time nine weeks after planting and plants were 26 weeks old when the photographs and the description were taken. In the description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2001 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

• Botanical classification: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘HIQ 1603’.
• Parentage:
  • • Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis identified as code number GB 2007-1511, not patented.
    • Male or pollen parent.—Proprietary selection of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis identified as code number GB 2007-1958, not patented.
• Propagation:
  • • Type.—By vegetative terminal cuttings.
    • Time to initiate roots, summer.—About three weeks at ambient and soil temperatures about 24° C.
    • Time to initiate roots, winter.—About four weeks at ambient and soil temperatures about 24° C.
    • Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About eight weeks at ambient and soil temperatures about 24° C.
    • Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About ten weeks at ambient and soil temperatures about 24° C.
    • Root description.—Medium in thickness, fleshy; color, close to 158A, actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer type and formulation, substrate temperature and physiological age of roots.
    • Rooting habit.—Freely branching; dense.
• Plant description:
  • • Plant and growth habit.—Container plant; upright, mounding and bushy plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit.
    • Branching habit.—Freely branching habit with usually about four to seven primary branches each with about five to seven secondary branches developing per plant; pinching enhances lateral branch development.
    • Plant height, soil level to top of foliar plane.—About 23 cm to 43 cm.
    • Plant height, soil level to top of floral plane.—About 25 cm to 45 cm.
    • Plant diameter (area of spread).—About 30 cm to 50 cm.
• Lateral branch description:
  • • Length.—About 15 cm to 25 cm.
    • Diameter.—About 3 mm to 6 mm.
    • Internode length.—About 1 cm to 5 cm.
    • Strength.—Strong.
    • Texture.—Smooth, glabrous; becoming woody with development.
    • Luster.—Semi-glossy.
    • Color, developing.—Close to 137A; color becoming closer to 139A with development; at the internodes, close to 137B.
    • Color, developed.—Close to 197A.
• Leaf description:
  • • Arrangement.—Alternate, single; numerous.
    • Length.—About 10 cm to 12 cm.
    • Width.—About 7 cm to 9 cm.
    • Shape.—Ovate.
    • Apex.—Acuminate.
    • Base.—Obtuse.
    • Margin.—Irregularly serrate.
    • Texture, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous.
    • Texture, lower surface.—Scattered pubescence; venation prominent.
    • Luster, upper and lower surfaces.—Moderately glossy.
    • Venation pattern.—Pinnate; arcuate.
    • Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 137A. Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 138A. Fully expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to N189A; venation, close to 137A. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close to 137A; venation, close to 138B.
    • Petioles.—Length: About 5 cm to 7 cm. Diameter: About 1 mm to 2 mm. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Sparsely pubescent. Luster, upper and lower surfaces: Slightly glossy. Color, upper surface: Close to N138B. Color, lower surface: Close to 137C.
    • Leaf stipules.—Quantity and arrangement: Two at the base of the petiole, opposite. Length: About 1.2 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm. Shape: Lanceolate. Color, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 137B.
• Flower description:
  • • Flower arrangement.—Double type flowers arranged singly at terminal leaf axils; uniform, continuous and freely flowering habit with numerous flowers developing per plant; flowers face mostly upright to slightly outwardly.
    • Fragrance.—None detected.
    • Natural flowering season.—Plants flower in the garden during the spring and summer or during periods of warm weather; in the greenhouse, plants can be flowered year-round; plants begin flowering about ten to twelve weeks after pinching.
    • Flower longevity.—Good flower longevity, flowers last for about three days; flowers persistent.
    • Flower diameter.—About 13 cm to 16 cm.
    • Flower length (height).—About 8 cm to 10 cm.
    • Flower buds.—Rate of opening: Flowers buds open in about three days. Length: About 5 cm to 7 cm. Diameter: About 4 cm to 5 cm. Shape: Rounded. Color: Close to N34B.
    • Petals.—Arrangement: Five petals in a single whorl; petals slightly imbricate. Length: About 5 cm to 10 cm. Width: About 4 cm to 5 cm. Shape: Roughly spatulate. Apex: Rounded. Base: Attenuate. Margin: Entire; slightly undulate. Texture, upper surface: Glabrous; rough with a velvety appearance. Texture, lower surface: Glabrous, rough with a satiny appearance. Luster, upper surface: Matte. Luster, lower surface: Moderately glossy. Color: When opening, upper surface: Close to 41A; towards the base, close to 45A. When opening, lower surface: Close to 44C. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 40A; towards the base, close to 46B; with development, main color becoming closer to 40C and towards the base, close to 46C; venation, close to 37C. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to 44C; with development, color becoming closer to 44D; venation, close to 43D.
    • Petaloids.—Arrangement: About 20 to 40 in numerous whorls; petaloids imbricate. Length: About 4 cm to 6 cm, Width: About 2 cm to 4 cm. Shape: Roughly spatulate. Apex: Rounded. Base: Attenuate. Margin: Entire; slightly undulate. Texture, upper surface: Glabrous; rough with a velvety appearance. Texture, lower surface: Glabrous, rough with a satiny appearance. Luster, upper surface: Matte. Luster, lower surface: Moderately glossy. Color: When opening, upper surface: Close to 41A; towards the base, close to 45A. When opening, lower surface: Close to 40C. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 40A; towards the base, close to 46A; with development, main color becoming closer to 40C and towards the base, close to 46C; venation, close to 37C. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to 44C; with development, color becoming closer to 44D; venation, close to 43D.
    • Sepals.—Appearance: Five sepals fused into a campanulate-shaped calyx. Length: About 2.5 cm to 3 cm. Width: About 1.5 cm to 2 cm. Shape: Lanceolate. Apex: Acuminate. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper surface: Glabrous, rough. Texture, lower surface: Glabrous, smooth. Luster, upper and lower surfaces: Matte. Color: When opening, upper surface: Close to 138C. When opening, lower surface: Close to 139D. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 138B. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to 139C.
    • Involucral bracts.—Quantity and arrangement: About six in a single whorl subtending the calyx and forming a star-shaped epicalyx. Length: About 1 cm to 1.5 cm. Diameter: About 2 mm to 5 mm. Shape: Lanceolate. Apex: Acute. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Rough, glabrous. Color, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 141A.
    • Peduncles.—Length: About 1 cm to 2 cm. Diameter: About 2 mm to 4 mm. Strength: Strong. Aspect: Mostly upright. Texture: Sparsely pubescent. Luster: Slightly glossy. Color: Close to 138B.
    • Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Stamen number: Numerous, more than 100. Filament length: About 2 mm to 5 mm. Filament color: Close to 43C. Anther shape: Round to ovate. Anther length: About 1 mm. Anther color: Close to 19A. Amount of pollen: Abundant. Pollen color: Close to 20A. Gynoecium: Pistil length: About 5.5 cm. Staminal column texture: Smooth, waxy. Staminal column color: Close to 4D; towards the base, overlain with close to N34A; mid-section, overlain with close to N35A; towards the apex, overlain with close to 34A. Style length: Five-parted, about 4 mm to 5 mm. Style color: Close to 4D. Stigma appearance: Five rounded stigma pads. Stigma pad color: Close to 40A. Ovary color: Close to 4D.
    • Seeds.—Quantity per fruit: Typically about 1 to 15 develop. Length: About 5 mm. Diameter: About 5 mm. Texture: Rough. Color: Close to 202A.
    • Fruits.—Quantity per flower: One. Length: About 2 cm to 3 cm. Diameter: About 1 cm to 2 cm. Texture: Smooth, leathery. Color: Close to 138A or 145A.
• Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Hibiscus have been observed to have tolerate temperatures from about 10° C. to about 40° C.
• Pathogen & pest resistance: Plants of the new Hibiscus not been observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to Hibiscus plants.

Claims

1. A new and distinct Hibiscus plant named ‘HIQ 1603’ as illustrated and described.