Petunia plant named `Kakegawa S58`

Abstract

A petunia plant particularly distinguished by its purple flower color and creeping, mounding habit.

Description

Genus and species: Petunia hybrida.

Variety denomination: `Kakegawa S58`.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Petunia, botanically known as Petunia hybrida, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name `Kakegawa S58`. `Kakegawa S58` originated from a hybridization made in 1995 in Kakegawa, Japan. The male parent was breeding line P-1a (not patented). The female parent of `Kakegawa S58` was a dwarf multiflora cherry breeding line named 88S-1318-1a-1a-1 (not patented). F₁ seed from this cross was obtained in 1996.

Two hundred F₁ plants were transplanted to the field in Salinas, Calif. during the summer of 1998. Two lines were selected for further evaluation and vegetatively propagated. The two lines were propagated again in 1999 and evaluated for fixed characteristics and ease of propagation. Final selection of one line was made in Salinas, Calif. during the summer of 1999. The line was established as `Kakegawa S58`, and determined to have its characteristics firmly fixed.

`Kakegawa S58` has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics after two years and four cycles of vegetative propagation and this novelty is firmly fixed. The variety has demonstrated stability during this time and has no inherent variation or off-types.

DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPH

This new Petunia plant is illustrated by the accompanying photograph which shows blooms, and foliage of the plant in full color, the colors shown being as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

FIG. 1 shows the mature inflorescence;

FIG. 2 shows the entire plant approximately eight weeks after transplanting a rooted cutting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of `Kakegawa S58`. The data which defines these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Salinas, Calif. Three plants from fully rooted 15 cm diameter pots were transplanted to one 50 cm diameter hanging baskets and grown in the same conditions. Data was collected on plants in 50 cm diameter pots eight weeks after rooted cuttings were transplanted. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.).

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

Classification:

Botanical.--Petunia hybrida.

Commercial.--Petunia.

Parentage:

Female parent.--Breeding line 88S-1318-1a-1a-1 (not patented).

Male parent.--Breeding line P-1a (not patented).

Environmental conditions for plant growth: Plants were propagated from vegetative cuttings, and grown individually in 15 cm diameter plastic pots in a glass greenhouse located in Salinas, Calif. Pots contained a peat moss-based growing medium. Soluble fertilizer containing 18% nitrogen, 8% phosphorus and 18% potassium was applied in four, daily irrigations. The fifth irrigation was made with non-fertilized water. Pots were top-dressed with a slow release fertilizer containing 18% nitrogen, 8% phosphorus and 18% potassium. The typical average air temperature was 24C.

Growth:

Habit.--Branching, creeping.

Form.--Descending.

Plant size.--45 cm total diameter and 25 cm total height.

Flowering habit.--Indeterminate.

Time to initiate root development.--7 days after sticking cuttings.

Time to bloom from propagation.--4-6 weeks after rooting when grown in 10-15 cm diameter plastic pots.

Life cycle.--Annual.

Stems:

Color.--Yellow-green(RHS 146B) with purple (RHS N79A) anthocyanin color in the side exposed to the sun.

Description.--Round.

Diameter.--4.0 mm.

Internode length.--4.0-4.5 cm.

Leaves:

Arrangement.--Opposite.

Apex.--Mucronate.

Base.--Oblique.

Color.--Upper surface is green (RHS 137B) and lower surface is green (RHS 138C).

Margin.--Entire.

Size.--Length is 8.0-9.0 cm and width is 4.6-5.2 cm.

Shape.--Ovate.

Texture.--Coarse.

Venation.--Pinnate.

Pubescence.--Present, clear.

Buds:

Bud color.--Yellow-green (RHS 144C).

Bud diameter.--5.0 mm.

Bud length.--1.8 cm.

Flowers:

Calyx.--5 sepals; 2.3 cm×0.5 cm (length×width).

Corolla.--5 petals, fused.

Flower diameter.--5.5-6.0 cm.

Fragrant.--No.

Inflorescence type.--Solitary.

Pistil.--Compound.

Ovary.--Superior, parietal placentation.

Stamens.--5 total with two long and three short; red-purple (RHS 72C).

Style.--Green (RHS 143C).

Peduncle.--2.0-2.5 cm×2 mm (length×width); pubescent.

Petal color.--Limbs: upper -- red-purple (RHS 74A) with purple (RHS 79B) veins; lower -- purple (RHS 77B) with purple (RHS N77A) veins. Tube: Inner -- violet (RHS 83D; Outside is purple (RHS 77B) with purple (RHS N77A) veins.

Petal margin.--Smooth.

Petal pubescence.--Absent.

Tube throat diameter.--1.0 cm.

Pollen color.--Blue (RHS 106C).

Produces seed.--Yes; grey-orange (RHS 172B); <1.0 mm diameter; seed coat has netted pattern, 8-10,000 seeds/gram.

Disease and Insect Resistance

No susceptibility to diseases or insects noted to date.

Comparison with Known Cultivars

`Kakegawa S58` is most similar to the variety `Cascadia Champagne` but differs in the following areas: The flowers on `Kakegawa S58` are smaller and a darker rose color than on `Cascadia Champagne`. Additionally, the sepals on `Kakegawa S58` are straight where the sepals of `Cascadia Champagne` are twisted.

Comparison with Parental Cultivars

Table 1 below lists some traits from the parental cultivars as compared to the present invention.

		88S-1318-1a-1a-1	P-1A
Characteristic	`Kakegawa S58`	(female)	(male)
Plant Habit	Creeping	Dwarf and	Creeping
		compact
Flower Size	Grandiflora	Grandiflora	Grandiflora
Flower Petal Color	Dark Rose	Cherry	Magenta

Claims

1. A new and distinct petunia plant as shown and described herein.