Miniature rose plant named `Ruijef`

Abstract

A distinctive cultivar of miniature rose plant named Ruijef, characterized by its large dark red flowers; numerous flowers per spray and plant; freely branching plant habit; long shelf-life; and strong rooting habit.

Description

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of the miniature rose class, botanically known as Rosa hybrida, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name Ruijef.

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor in Hazerswoude, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was to develop compact pot rose varieties with garden performance that can be asexually reproduced by cuttings. The new cultivar originated from a cross made by the inventor in 1991 of two unnamed proprietary seedlings. The cultivar Ruijef was discovered and selected by the inventor as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Hazerswoude, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by cuttings taken at Hazerswoude, The Netherlands, has shown that the unique features of this new miniature rose plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of Ruijef. These characteristics in combination distinguish the new miniature rose plant as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Large dark red flowers.

2. Numerous flowers per spray and per plant.

3. Freely branching plant habit.

4. Long shelf-life.

5. Strong rooting habit.

The new miniature rose plant has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature and light level, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate typical specimens of the vegetative growth and flowers of the new miniature rose plant, showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.

The first photograph comprises a top perspective view of a typical plant of the new miniature rose plant grown in Hazerswoude, The Netherlands.

The second photograph comprises details of the new miniature rose plant. In this photograph the top of a young shoot 1); a leaf with three leaflets (2); a leaf with five leaflets (3); a leaf with seven leaflets (4); a stem with prickles (5); a flower bud after sepals open (6); a flower bud after petals begin to unfurl (7); a flower one-third to one-half open (8); a flower fully open (9); a flower stem with sepals, stamens and pistils (10); a flower stem with sepals and pistils (11); a flower stem with pistils only (12); and a spray of seven flower buds (13) are shown. The flower color in both photographs appears lighter than the actual flower color due to light reflectance.

The following observations, measurements, values, and comparisons describe plants grown in Hazerswoude, The Netherlands, under glass covering with average day temperatures of 20.degree. C., average night temperatures of 16 to 18.degree. C., and an average light level of 2,000 J/cm.sup.2.

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

Classifications:

Botanical.--Rosa hybrida cultivar Ruijef.

Commercial.--Miniature pot rose.

Parentage:

Male or pollen parent.--Unnamed proprietary seedling.

female or seed parent.--Unnamed proprietary seedling.

Plant Description:

Form.--Rounded form, uniform, and spreading.

Growth habit.--Moderately vigorous, yet compact. Freely branching, dense growth. Suitable for 10-cm containers. Time to produce a finished plant in a 10-cm container 20 to 30 cm in height is generally 10 to 12 weeks depending on average temperature, light level, and cultural practices.

Stem and lateral branches.--Quantity of lateral branches from pinching: Generally three. Length of lateral branches: 1 to 5 cm. Color: 146C.

Foliage description.--Leaves arranged alternately, compound with three to seven leaflets per leaf, generally symmetrical, abundant, and flat in aspect. Stipules at leaf base. Quantity: Five to eight per lateral branch. Leaflet size: Length: 1.5 to 2.5 cm. Width: 1 to 2 cm. Shape: Ovate with acute tip and obtuse base. Texture: Smooth and leathery. Margin: Serrate. Petiole length: 2 to 2.5 cm. Color: Young foliage, upper side: 146B with overtones of 59A. Young foliage, under side: 146D with overtones of 59A. Mature foliage, upper side: 147A. Mature foliage, under side: 147B. Petiole: 146C. Stipule: 146C. Venation, upper side: 147D. Venation, under side: 147D.

Prickles.--Located on petioles and stems. Length: 0.4 to 0.6 cm. Color: 141D with 31B at base.

Flower description:

Flower type and habit.--Large dark red flowers. Consistently symmetrical rosette flowers that are flat in aspect. Freely and continuously flowering. The flowers are borne singly on peduncles and arranged in clusters of five to ten flowers each. There are numerous sprays per plant.

Flowering season.--Year-round under greenhouse conditions, optimal flowering during summer and autumn in the Northern hemisphere.

Flower diameter.--3 to 4 cm.

Flower depth (height).--1 to 1.5 cm.

Flower longevity on plant.--20 days.

Fragrance.--None.

Persistent.--Yes.

Flower buds.--Shape: Narrowly ovoid and pointed. Size: Length: 1 to 2 cm. Width: 0.5 to 1 cm. Color: 143C.

Petals.--Quantity: At least 35 to 45 per flower. Arrangement: Seven to nine rows of petals with five petals each. Size: Length: 1.5 to 2 cm. Width: 1 to 1.5 cm. Shape: Elliptical with obtuse tip. Texture: Smooth and velvety. Margin: Entire. Color: When opening: 46A. Upper side, mature: 59A. Under side, mature: 59B. Fade; Upper and under sides do not fade, but maintain dark red color.

Petaloids.--Quantity: At least 15 per flower. Arrangement: Three rows of petals with five petaloids each. Size: Length: 0.5 to 1 cm. Width: 0.5 to 1 cm. Shape: Elliptical with obtuse tip. Texture: Smooth and velvety. Margin: Entire. Color: Immature: 53B with 19C at base and margins. Mature: 53A with 10D at base and margins.

Sepals.--Quantity: Five per flower Arrangement: One row with five sepals. Shape: Ovate with acute tip. Color: Upper side: 143D and 143A. Under side; 143C.

Calyx.--Inconspicuous.

Peduncles.--Strong and erect, pubescent.

Peduncles.--Strong and erect, pubescent. Length: 4 to 5 cm Color: 144A.

Reproductive organs.--Stamens: Quantity: 20 to 40 per flower. Anther size: 0.1 to 0.2 cm. Anther shape: Oblong. Anther color: 24B. Pistils: Quantity: 20 to 40 per flower. Style length: 0.5 cm. Stigma color: 2 C.

Disease resistance: No resistance or susceptibility observed.

Seed Production: Seed production is rarely observed.

Claims

1. A new and distinct miniature rose plant named Ruijef, as illustrated and described.