Calibrachoa plant named ‘KLECA07160’

Abstract

A new Calibrachoa plant particularly distinguished by its dark pink stable double flowers, healthy outdoor performance and a flat, trailing growth habit is disclosed.

Description

Genus and species: Calibrachoa hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘KLECA07160’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Calibrachoa, botanically known as Calibrachoa hybrid, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘KLECA07160’. The new cultivar originated from a hybridization made in summer of 2004 in Stuttgart, Germany. The female parent was the rose-flowered proprietary Calibrachoa plant ‘X 437’ (unpatented), while the male parent was the pink-flowered proprietary Calibrachoa plant ‘X 470’ (unpatented).

The new cultivar was first propagated in May 2005 in Stuttgart, Germany and has been asexually reproduced by vegetative cuttings and tissue culture in Stuttgart, Germany over 45 generations. The present invention has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in a greenhouse in Stuttgart, Germany.

• • 1. Dark pink stable double flowers;
  • 2. Healthy outdoor performance; and
  • 3. A flat, trailing growth habit.

DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPH

This new Calibrachoa plant is illustrated by the accompanying photograph which shows overall plant habit including blooms, buds, and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photograph is of a five-month-old Calibrachoa plant grown in a greenhouse in Stuttgart, Germany, between January and May 2007.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘KLECA07160’. The data which defines these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Stuttgart, Germany. The plant history was taken on five-month-old plants which were planted as rooted cuttings in 11-cm pots between January and May 2007 and then grown in a greenhouse. The plants had one terminal pinch one week after potting. Color readings were taken under natural light. Color references are primarily to the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2001).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

• Classification:
  • • Family.—Solanaceae.
    • Botanical.—Calibrachoa hybrid.
    • Common name.—Calibrachoa.
• Parents:
  • • Female.—Rose-flowered proprietary Calibrachoa plant ‘X 437’ (unpatented).
    • Male.—Pink-flowered proprietary Calibrachoa plant ‘X 470’ (unpatented).
• Growth:
  • • Form.—Flat.
    • Habit.—Trailing.
    • Height.—(measured from the top of the soil).—5.0 cm.
    • Width (horizontal plant diameter).—16.0 cm.
    • Time to produce a finished flowering plant.—12 weeks.
    • Outdoor plant performance.—Very healthy.
    • Time to initiate and develop roots.—18 days.
    • Root description.—Moderate density, freely branching, white roots.
• Stems:
  • • Length of basal branches.—7.0 cm.
    • Internode length.—0.6 cm to 1.5 cm.
    • Diameter of branches (from midpoint).—2.0 cm to 6.0 cm.
    • Stem color.—RHS 145A.
    • Texture.—Smooth.
    • Anthocyanin.—Absent.
    • Pedicel.—Color: RHS 144B. Length: 1.5 cm. Diameter: 0.2 cm. Texture: Smooth.
• Leaves:
  • • Arrangement.—Alternate.
    • Size.—Length: 1.0 cm to 3.0 cm. Width: 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm.
    • Shape.—Lanceolate to elliptic.
    • Apex.—Acute.
    • Base.—Attenuate.
    • Margin.—Entire.
    • Color, both immature and mature.—Upper surface: RHS 137A. Lower surface: RHS 137C.
    • Texture (both surfaces).—Smooth.
    • Venation.—Pinnate.
    • Venation color (both surfaces).—RHS 144A.
    • Petioles.—Absent.
• Flower bud:
  • • Shape.—Irregular to oblong.
    • Size.—Length: 2.1 cm. Diameter: 0.8 cm.
    • Color at tight bud.—RHS 87C.
• Inflorescence:
  • • Blooming habit.—Continuous flowering during summertime.
    • Inflorescence type.—Double.
    • Floret type.—Double flower that looks like a carnation flower.
    • Lastingness of individual blooms on the plant.—6 days.
    • Fragrance.—Absent.
• Flowers:
  • • Immature flower.—Diameter: Horizontal: 2.6 cm. Vertical: 1.9 cm. Color: Upper surface: RHS 74C. Lower surface: RHS 81D.
    • Mature flower.—Diameter: Horizontal: 2.8 cm. Vertical: 2.0 cm. Color: Upper surface: RHS 74B. Lower surface: RHS 81C.
    • Corolla tube.—Color inside: RHS 74B. Color outside: RHS 81C. Tube length: 0.3 cm. Outside texture: Smooth.
    • Petals.—Apex: Rounded to marginate. Base: Fused. Margin: Entire. Waviness of petals: Weak. Lobation: Weak. Texture (both surfaces): Smooth.
    • Sepals.—Calyx form: Rosette. Shape: Lanceolate to elliptic. Apex: Acute. Base: Fused. Margin: Entire. Length: 1.2 cm. Width: 0.3 cm. Color: Upper surface: RHS 138A. Lower surface: RHS 138B. Texture (both surfaces): Smooth.
• Reproductive organs:
  • • Stamens.—Number: Varies between 0 and 3. Filament color: RHS 154A. Filament length: 0.3 cm. Filament diameter: 0.1 cm. Pollen color: RHS 11A. Pollen quantity: Sparse.
    • Pistils.—Number: Varies between 0 and 1. Length: 0.3 cm. Diameter: 0.2 cm. Stigma color: RHS 149A. Style color: RHS 149A.
• Fruit and seed set: No seed set observed.
• Disease and insect resistance: No particular resistance or susceptibility has been observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS

‘KLECA07160’ differs from the female parent ‘X 437’ (unpatented) by having a dark pink flower color and an average flower size, while ‘X 437’ has a rose flower color and a small flower size.

‘KLECA07160’ differs from the male parent ‘X 470’ (unpatented) by having a dark pink flower color, double flowers and an average flower size, while ‘X 470’ has a pink flower color, single flowers and a large flower size.

‘KLECA07160’ differs from the commercial cultivar ‘MF Cluster Purple T 111’ (unpatented) by having double flowers, while ‘MF Cluster Purple T 111’ has single flowers.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Calibrachoa plant as shown and described herein.