Gorgeous

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of African Violet named Gorgeous particularly characterized by its filantherless single, violet-shaped, bi-color purple flowers with a white center and occasional additional 1-3 small petals, upright flower stems that curve slightly toward the center to form a compact flower bouquet above the leaves; medium green, round to oval shaped leaves; vigorous and medium growth habit; flowering 9-10 weeks after potting, and very long-lasting and non-dropping flowers.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of African Violet named Gorgeous, as described and illustrated herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0017] FIGS. 1-3The accompanying color photographic drawings show a typical specimen plant of the new cultivar Gorgeous. The colors appearing in the photographic drawing are as true as possible with color illustrations of this type.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0018] In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), except where general colors of ordinary significance are referred to. Color values were taken under natural sunlight conditions at approximately 12 p.m. in Nashville, Tenn. [0019] Botanical classification: Saintpaulia ionantha, Ramat., c.v. Gorgeous. [0020] Parentage: [0021] Male parent.5027/hbl KS . [0022] Female parent.5027/20 Flied. [0023] Propagation: Leaf cuttings. [0024] Plant: 12 cm to 15 cm tall when grown in pots, and 24-30 cm in diameter when fully grown. [0025] Leaves.General form: round to oval. Diameter: 60-70 mm wide and 75-85 mm long. Texture: Leathery. Aspect: very slightly serrated, hairy, shiny. Veins: Upperside: visible; underside: well pronounced, light green, occasionally purplish red, shiny. Color (upperside): Yellow-green RHS 147A-147 B. Color (underside): Greyed-green RHS 194 B to 194 C. Petiole: Strong, light green with purplish brownish hue, hairy. [0026] Flowers.Buds: Round to bell-shaped, purplish blue, 5-7 mm just before opening. Sepals: Five (5); Color: purplish brown. Calyx: Shape: Funnel-shaped. Aspect: Spear-shaped, hairy. Peduncle: Character: Strong upright, hairy. Color: purplish brown. [0027] Individual flowers.Size: 30-36 mm. Shape: Single violet-shaped with additional occasional 1-3 very small petals. Color (upperside): White center with edge being Violet RHS 89 A and RHS 89 B. Under cooler temperatures and more intensive lighting, the purplish blue edge tends to intensify and be wider. Color (underside): Between Violet RHS 85 A to RHS 85 B and Purple Violet RHS 82 C. Borne: Each of the flower stem carries 10-13 and more flowers on strong, upright peduncles that are free standing above the leaves, thereby forming a compact bouquet. Flowering habit: Flowers 12-13 weeks after potting. [0028] Reproductive organs.Stamens: non existent. Filaments: non existent. Pollen Color: n/a. Styles: 6-7 mm long, purplish blue, base of ovary light green. [0029] Roots.Normally developed, white when young, turning slightly brownish when older. [0030] Disease resistance: gorgeous aka 5050 bl w KS 15 has shown very good resistance to all major violet diseases. Due to its filantherless blooms, it is free of botrytis and thrips. [0031] General observations: gorgeous is a very attractive cultivar due to its abundance of bi-color purple flowers with white center. The lack of the filament and yellow anthers makes gorgeous look different than standard African Violetsthe flowers look somewhat like a hydrangea. The filantherless characteristic as described in the Patent Application Filantherless African Violet and Methods of Breeding Thereof also has the advantage that Gorgeous blooms longer than standard African Violets and can not be affected by thrips or botrytis. Under ideal growing conditions, the flowers develop 9-10 weeks after planting an unrooted plantlet and create a nice flower bouquet which is free-standing above the leaves. Each of the 8-12, or more, strong flower stems carries 10-14, or more, single violet-shaped flowers with 1-3 additional small petals giving it a slightly wavy look. Gorgeous is a medium size cultivar, designed to be grown in 10 cm pot and will take 12-13 week time period from potting to finish. The profuse flower bouquet is surrounded by medium green round to oval leaves.