USPP3696P - Chrysanthemum plant - Google Patents

Description

March 25, 1975 B. J. MACHIN CHRYSAHTHEIUI PLANT Filed July 23, 1973 Plant- Pat. 3,696

United States Patent 3,696 CHRYSANTHEMUM PLANT Barrie John Machin, East Broyle Estate, Chichester, England, assignor to Frampton Nurseries Limited, Worthing, England Filed July 23, 1973, Ser. No. 381,669 Int. Cl. A01h /00 US. Cl. Plt.-77 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a new and distinctive variety of Chrysanthemum morifolium Bailey (pot type) known as White Popsie.

The new variety White Popsie is a sport from a variety known as Popsie which was originated by me from a cross made in 1966 between the unpatented variety Bluebell and the unpatented variety Apricot Princess Anne, the former being the seed parent, and the latter being the pollen parent. The new variety White Popsie was induced by irradiation from Popsie in July 1971.

The variety Popsie resulted from an extensive breeding program with the object of producing improved varieties for year round pot chrysanthemum production with particular emphasis on the need for improved varieties which can be used not only for the normal technique of production (4 or 5 cuttings in each pot), but also as single plant specimens in small pots. The variety Popsie has the following improved characteristics over the most similar existing varieties with which I am familiar:

J1. it has an improved Ibreaking action following a pinch so that a flowering shoot is produced from the majority of the leaf axils above the level of the compost.

2. It has good and uniform flowering whether or not the apical flower on each shoot is disbudded. This is not so with the large decorative varieties such as the Princess Anne family.

3. The lasting quality of the flowers is better than in varieties with longer, softer petals.

4. The small pompon-like flowers are hard and crisp and withstand adverse marketing conditions better than most existing varieties. The habit of the plant is more ideal (i.e. stocky and well branched) for the production of small pots using single plants.

The variety White Popsie is similar to the variety Popsie in the above characteristics and differs from it only in color of flower, which is white rather than purple.

The accompanying drawing shows a typical flower of my new variety depicted in color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in a color illustration of this character.

Asexual reproduction of this new variety White Pop'sie as performed in Sussex, England, by rooting vegetative shoots, shows that the above characteristics are fixed and come true to type through succeeding generations.

Plant Pat. 3,696 Patented Mar. 25, 1975 The following is a detailed description of the new variety White Popsie with color terminology in accordance with the Royal Horticultural Society color chart, hereinafter referred to as RHS.

Genus: Chrysanthemum.

Species: Morifolium Bailey.

Type: Pot.

Class: Pompon (or small incurving decorative).

Breeding: The original variety Popsie resulted from a cross between the variety BGA Bluebell and the variety Apricot Princess Anne, the former being the seed parent, the latter being the pollen parent. The cross was made in 1966 at Framptons Nurseries, Forbridge Nursery, Chichester, Sussex, England. The variety White Popsie was' induced by irradiation from the variety Popsie in July, 1971, in Sussex, England.

Propagation: Holds its distinguishing characteristics through succeeding generations by rooting vegetative shoots.

Flower: When grown and observed in Sussex, England as single plants in 3 /2 in. pots, pinching induces the formation of up to 10 flowering shoots. When produced as a 5 /2 in. pot plant using 5 cuttings per pot, each plant produces 3 to 6 flowering shoots following a pinch.

Size: Average diameter is 7 cms. when fully open.

Petallage: Approximately 350 ray petals and 10 disc petals.

Form: A small incurving decorative or pompon.

Petals: Short, board, boat-shaped, thick and of very firm texture.

Color of open bloom:

Inner face of fully expanded petalRHS A. Outer face of fully expanded petalRHS 115B. Inner face of young petal-RHS D. Outer face of young petal RHS-160C.

Response group: 10 weeks.

Temperature tolerance: 57 to 60 F. at night.

Plant: Short, stocky and free branching, very suitable for single plant types.

Foliage: Medium size and light green, color RHS 138A.

Stem: Thick and strong. Color RHS 139D at flowering.

I claim:

1. A new and distinct variety of Chrysanthemum morifolium Bailey, substantially as shown and described, characterized particularly as to novelty by the unique combination of a white color; small, hard and crisp pomponlike flowers, the production of a flowering shoot from a majority of the leaf axils above the compost level following a pinch; and good, uniform flowering regardless of whether the apical flower on each shoot is disbudded.

No reference cited.

ROBERT E. BAGWILL, Primary Examiner

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