plant named ‘Balfiespor’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Impatiens plant named ‘Balfiespor’, characterized by its double-type, orange and white bicolored flowers, dark green-colored foliage, and moderately vigorous, compact-mounded growth habit, is disclosed.

Description

Latin name of genus and species of plant claimed: Impatiens walleriana.

Variety denomination: ‘Balfiespor’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Impatiens plant botanically known as Impatiens walleriana and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Balfiespor’.

The new cultivar originated in a controlled breeding program in Rijsenhout, The Netherlands during April 2005. The objective of the breeding program was the development of Impatiens cultivars with fully double-type flowers, attractive flower and foliage coloration, and a freely branching, compact growth habit.

The new Impatiens cultivar is the result of cross-pollination. The female (seed) parent of the new cultivar is Accent Violet Star, not patented, characterized by its single-type, violet and white bicolored flowers, dark green-colored foliage, and vigorous, prostrate growth habit. The male (pollen) parent of the new cultivar is the proprietary Impatiens walleriana breeding selection designated 3286-2-2-2, not patented, characterized by its semi-double, orange and white bicolored flowers, dark green-colored foliage, and moderately vigorous, compact-mounded growth habit. The new cultivar was discovered and selected as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the above stated cross-pollination during May 2006 in a controlled environment at Rijsenhout, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal stem cuttings since May 2006 at Rijsenhout, The Netherlands has demonstrated that the new cultivar reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of such asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics of the new cultivar have been repeatedly observed and can be used to distinguish ‘Balfiespor’ as a new and distinct cultivar of Impatiens plant:

• • 1. Double-type, orange and white bicolored flowers;
  • 2. Dark green-colored foliage; and
  • 3. Moderately vigorous, compact-mounded growth habit.

Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the female parent primarily in flower form, flower color, and growth vigor and from plants of the male parent primarily in flower form. The new cultivar has a full-double flower type.

Of the many commercially available Impatiens cultivars, the most similar in comparison to the new cultivar is Fiesta Sparkler Cherry ‘Balfiespray’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,675. However, in side by side comparisons, plants of the new cultivar have a flower color different from plants of ‘Balfiespray’.

In addition, plants of the new cultivar can be compared to plants of SILHOUETTE Orange Star ‘Silte Oransar’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,029. However, in side by side comparisons, plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of ‘Silte Oransar’ in the following characteristics:

• • 1. Plants of the new cultivar have a flower color different from plants of ‘Silte Oransar’; and
  • 2. Plants of the new cultivar have smaller leaves, as measured by leaf length and leaf width, than plants of ‘Silte Oransar’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, typical flower and foliage characteristics of the new cultivar. Colors in the photographs differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed description, which accurately describes the colors of ‘Balfiespor’. The plants were grown in 4-inch pots for 6 weeks in a greenhouse at West Chicago, Ill. Plants were given one pinch at transplant.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of the overall growth and flowering habit of ‘Balfiespor’.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of an individual flower of ‘Balfiespor’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new cultivar has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that the phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in the environment, such as temperature, light intensity, and day length, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, 2001 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary significance are used. The color values were determined in April 2010 under natural light conditions in West Chicago, Ill.

The following descriptions and measurements describe plants produced from cuttings from stock plants and grown in a glass-covered greenhouse under conditions comparable to those used in commercial practice. The plants were grown in West Chicago, Ill. in 4-inch pots for 6 weeks utilizing a soilless growth medium. Plants were given one pinch at transplant. Greenhouse temperatures were maintained at approximately 70° F. to 77° F. (21° C. to 25° C.) during the day and approximately 65° F. to 68° F. (18° C. to 20° C.) during the night. Greenhouse light levels of 2,500 footcandles to 6,000 footcandles were maintained during the day. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plants.

• Botanical classification: Impatiens walleriana cultivar Balfiespor.
• Parentage:
  • • Female parent.—Accent Violet Star, not patented.
    • Male parent.—Proprietary Impatiens walleriana breeding selection designated 3286-2-2-2, not patented.
• Propagation:
  • • Type cutting.—Terminal stem.
    • Time to initiate roots.—Approximately 7 to 8 days.
    • Time to produce a rooted cutting.—Approximately 21 to 24 days.
    • Root description.—Fibrous.
    • Rooting habit.—Freely branching.
• Plant description:
  • • Commercial crop time.—Approximately 5 to 7 weeks from a rooted cutting to finish in a 10 cm pot.
    • Growth habit and general appearance.—Moderately vigorous, compact-mounded growth habit.
    • Size.—Height from soil level to top of plant plane: Approximately 6.2 cm. Width: Approximately 18.8 cm.
    • Branching habit.—Freely branching, pinching improves basal branching. Quantity of main branches per plant: Approximately 4.
    • Branch.—Strength: Moderately strong. Length: Approximately 6.5 cm. Diameter at central internode: Approximately 5.0 mm. Length of central internode: Approximately 1.4 cm. Texture: Glabrous. Color of young and mature stems: 145C with streaks of 187B. Streaks are wider at the node regions.
• Foliage description:
  • • General description.—Quantity of leaves per main branch: Approximately 8. Fragrance: None. Form: Simple. Arrangement: Alternate.
    • Leaves.—Aspect: Acute angle to stem, becoming perpendicular with age. Shape: Ovate. Margin: Crenate, ciliate. Apex: Acute. Base: Attenuate. Venation pattern: Pinnate. Length of mature leaf at center of stem: Approximately 3.7 cm. Width of mature leaf at center of stem: Approximately 2.6 cm. Texture of upper surface: Sparsely pubescent. Texture of lower surface: Glabrous. Color of upper surface of young foliage: Closest to 139A with venation of 137. Color of lower surface of young and mature foliage: 191B and irregular areas of 187B with venation of 191A. Color of upper surface of mature foliage: Closest to 137A with venation of 137C with a faint overlay of 187B on midvein.
    • Petiole.—Length: Approximately 1.5 cm. Diameter: Approximately 2.0 mm. Texture: Glabrous. Color: 145D with streaks of 187B.
• Flowering description:
  • • Flowering habit.—‘Balfiespor’ is freely flowering under outdoor growing conditions with substantially continuous blooming from spring through autumn and year-round in greenhouse environment.
    • Lastingness of individual flower on the plant.—Approximately 6 to 7 days.
• Flower description:
  • • General description.—Type: Double. Quantity per plant: Approximately 6. Fragrance: None.
    • Bud.—Rate of opening: Generally takes 2 to 3 days for bud to progress from first color to fully open flower. Quantity showing color per plant: Approximately 3.
    • Bud just before opening.—Shape: Ovoid. Length: Approximately 1.3 cm. Diameter: Approximately 1.1 cm. Color: 39C.
    • Corolla.—Shape: Hemispherical. Width: Approximately 4.3 cm. Depth: Approximately 2.2 cm. Borne: Above and below foliage.
    • Petals.—Quantity: 37. Shape: Obovate; innermost are irregular. Aspect: Flat. Appearance: Iridescent. Margin: Entire. Apex: Obtuse; some are emarginate. Base: Attenuate. Length of outermost petals: Approximately 2.1 cm. Width of outermost petals: Approximately 2.0 cm. Length of innermost petals: Approximately 5.0 mm. Width of innermost petals: Approximately 3.0 mm. Texture of upper and lower surfaces: Glabrous. Color of upper surface when first and fully open: Outer edges of 44B bordered with 65A adjacent to pure white centers. Color of lower surface when first and fully open: 44D with centers of 155D.
    • Spur.—Quantity: 1 per flower. Length: Approximately 2.1 cm. Diameter at proximal end: Approximately 1.0 mm. Diameter at distal end: Less than 1.0 mm. Texture: Glabrous. Color: 145C, transparent.
    • Peduncle.—Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: Acute angle to stem. Length: Approximately 2.5 cm. Diameter: Approximately 2.0 mm. Texture: Glabrous. Color: 144B with a faint overlay of 187B.
    • Sepals.—Quantity per flower: 4, with one fused to base of upper petal. Shape of lateral sepals: Lanceolate. Shape of lower sepal: Ovate. Apex of all sepals: Acute. Length of lateral sepals: Approximately 3.0 mm. Width of lateral sepals: Approximately 1.0 mm. Length of lower sepal: Approximately 1.0 cm. Width of lower sepal: Approximately 8.0 mm. Texture of upper surface of all sepals: Glabrous. Texture of lower surface of all sepals: Glabrous. Color of upper and lower surfaces of lateral sepals: 144A. Color of upper and lower surfaces of lower sepal: N155D with center of 145D.
    • Reproductive organs.—None observed.
• Seed and fruit production: Neither seed nor fruit production has been observed.
• Disease and pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens and pests common to Impatiens has not been observed.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Impatiens plant named ‘Balfiespor’, substantially as herein shown and described.