Chrysanthemum plant named Momento

A Chrysanthemum plant named Momento particularly characterized by its flat capitulum form; decorative capitulum type; yellow ray floret color; diameter across face of capitulum of up to 7 cm at maturity; uniform eight week photoperiodic flowering response to short days; peduncle length ranging from 10 to 20 cm on open, terminal sprays; tall plant height when grown as a single stem spray cut mum; and excellent tolerance to low temperatures for bud initiation and flower development.

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Description

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum, botanically known as Dendranthema grandiflora, and referred to by the cultivar name Momento.

Momento, identified as 85-247003, was originated from a cross made by Cornelis P. VandenBerg in a controlled breeding program in Salinas, Calif. in 1984.

The female parent of Momento was an unnamed seedling identified as 81-651001, and described as a spray cut mum with yellow flower color, decorative capitulum type, medium height and nine week photoperiodic flowering response to short days. The male parent of Momento was an unnamed seedling, identified as 81-080001 and described as a spray cut mum with white flower color, decorative capitulum type, tall plant height and ten week photoperiodic flowering response to short days.

Momento was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross by Cornelis P. VandenBerg in March 1986, in a controlled environment in Salinas, Calif.

The first act of asexual reproduction of Momento was accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in May 1986, in a controlled environment in Salinas, Calif., by technicians working under formulations established and supervised by Cornelis P. VandenBerg.

Horticultural examination of controlled flowerings of successive plantings has shown that the unique combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for Momento are firmly fixed and are retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

Momento has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and daylength.

The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plants grown in Salinas, Calif. under greenhouse conditions which approximate those generally used in commercial greenhouse practice. The low temperature tolerance of the new variety as noted below was determined in repeated flowerings in Bogota, Colombia.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be basic characteristics of Momento, which, in combination, distinguish this Chrysanthemum as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Flat capitulum form.

2. Decorative capitulum type.

3. Yellow ray floret color.

4. Diameter across face of capitulum of up to 7 cm at maturity.

5. Uniform eight week photoperiodic flowering response to short days.

6. Peduncle length ranging from 10 to 20 cm on open, terminal sprays.

7. Tall plant height, requiring one long day week prior to short days to attain a flowered plant height of 90 to 100 cm for year-round flowerings.

8. Excellent tolerance to low temperatures for bud initiation and flower development.

The accompanying photographic drawings show typical inflorescence and leaf characteristics of Momento, with the colors being as nearly true as possible with illustrations of this type. Sheet 1 is a color photograph of Momento grown as a single stem cut spray mum. Sheet 2 is a black and white photograph of three views of the inflorescence of Momento. Sheet 3 is a black and white photograph showing the upper and under sides of the leaves of Momento at three stages of development (mature, intermediate and immature).

Of the commercial cultivars known to the inventor, the most similar in comparison to Momento is the unpatented cultivar identified as Golden Polaris. Reference is made to attached Chart A, which compares certain characteristics of Momento to the same characteristics of Golden Polaris.

Similar traits are capitulum form and type, spray formation, plant height and low temperature tolerance. The ray floret color of Momento is a deeper, more clear yellow than the ray floret color of Golden Polaris. The peduncle length of the top terminal of Momento is slightly shorter than that of Golden Polaris. In addition, Momento has a smaller diameter of capitulum and a faster photoperiodic flowering response than Golden Polaris.

In the following description color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Color Chart. The color values were determined on plant material grown in Salinas, Calif. on July 17, 1989.

Classification:

Botanical.--Dendranthema grandiflora cv Momento.

Commercial.--Decorative cut spray mum.

INFLORESCENCE

A. Capitulum:

Form.--Flat.

Type.--Decorative.

Diameter across face.--Up to 7 cm at maturity.

B. Corolla of ray florets:

Color (general tonality from a distance of three meters).--Yellow.

Color (upper surface).--Closest to 6A.

Color (under surface).--Closest to 6C.

Shape.--Straight, cross-section flat to slightly ribbed, apex convex.

C. Corolla of disc florets:

Color (mature).--Closest to 9A.

Color (immature).--Closest to 1A.

D. Reproductive organs:

Androecium.--Present on disc florets only; very few disc florets, not visible in the mature flower; scant pollen.

Gynoecium.--Present on both ray and disc florets.

PLANT

A. General Appearance:

Height.--Tall; 90 to 100 cm as a single stem cut mum with one long day week prior to short days.

B. Foliage:

Color (upper surface).--147A.

Color (under surface).--147B.

Shape.--Deeply lobed and serrated.

                CHART A                                                     
     ______________________________________                                    
     COMPARISON OF MOMENTO AND GOLDEN POLARIS                                  
                            GOLDEN                                             
                  MOMENTO   POLARIS                                            
     ______________________________________                                    
     Ray floret color                                                          
                    Yellow      Yellow                                         
     Capitulum form Flat decorative                                            
                                Flat decorative                                
     and type                                                                  
     Spray formation                                                           
                    Terminal    Terminal                                       
     Peduncle length                                                           
                    10 to 20 cm 15 to 20 cm                                    
     Diameter across face                                                      
                    Up to 7 cm  Up to 8 cm                                     
     of capitulum                                                              
     plant height   Tall        Tall                                           
     Flowering response period                                                 
                    8 weeks     9 weeks                                        
     Low temperature tolerance                                                 
                    Excellent   Excellent                                      
     ______________________________________                                    
     Comparisons Made of Plants Grown                                          
     As Single Stem Spray Cut Mums                                             
     in Salinas, California                                                    
     ______________________________________                                    

Claims

1. A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant named Momento, as described and illustrated.

Patent History
Patent number: PP7407
Type: Grant
Filed: Nov 14, 1989
Date of Patent: Dec 25, 1990
Assignee: Yoder Brothers, Inc. (Barberton, OH)
Inventor: Cornelis P. VandenBerg (Salinas, CA)
Primary Examiner: James R. Feyrer
Law Firm: Foley & Lardner, Schwartz, Jeffery, Schwaab, Mack, Blumenthal & Evans
Application Number: 7/435,816
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Plt/78
International Classification: A01H 500;