Dianthus plant named ‘DCAPE04-0’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Dianthus plant named DCAPE04-0 is disclosed, characterized by continuous flowering on floriferous plants hardy to USDA Zone 3. Flowers are semi-double and light to medium red-purple and purple. The new variety is a Dianthus, typically produced as a garden or container plant.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dianthus plant named DCAPE04-0 as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

(1) The accompanying photograph illustrates in full color a typical plant of DCAPE04-0 grown outdoors in Santa Paula, Calif. This plant is approximately 17 weeks old, shown in a 6 inch pot. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(2) In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Colour Chart, 2007, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe DCAPE04-0 plants in a commercial greenhouse in Santa Paula, Calif. Temperatures ranged from 10 C. to 29 C. night and day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Natural light conditions were approximately 2500 to 4000 fc of light. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Dianthus hybrida DCAPE04-0.

PROPAGATION

(3) Time to initiate roots: About 10 days at approximately 24 C. Time to produce a rooted cutting: About 18 days at 24 C. Root description: Fibrous roots, approximately 1 to 3 mm in diameter, colored near Orange-White 159C.

PLANT

(4) Age of plant described: Approximately 17 weeks from rooted cutting. Pot size: 5 inch. Plant type: Compact upright perennial. Plant habit: Upright growing stems emerge basally. Plant spread: Approximately 23 cm. Height: Approximately 15 cm to top of flowering plane. Approximately 12 cm to top of foliar plane. Length plant stem: Average range 8 to 11 cm. Diameter of plant stem: Approximately 0.4 cm. Quantity of stems: Approximately 20. Stem: Color.Near RHS Yellow-Green 145B. Texture.Smooth.

FOLIAGE

(5) Leaf: Arrangement.Opposite (in pairs). Quantity.Approximately 18 to 22 fully expanded leaves per stem. Average length.Approximately 3.5 to 4.5 cm. Average width.Approximately 0.8 cm. Shape of blade.Linear. Apex.Acute. Base.Clasping. Attachment.Sessile. Margin.Entire. Texture of top surface.Smooth. Texture of bottom surface.Smooth. Pubescence.None. Color.Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137B. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Green 138A. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137A. Venation.Type: Linear with a prominent mid vein. Venation color upper side: Indistinguishable from foliage. Venation color under side: Indistinguishable from foliage.

FLOWER

(6) Natural flowering season: Perpetual flowering. Inflorescence type and habit: Umbel of 2 to 4 flowers, or single occurring flowers. Flower longevity on plant: 2-3 weeks. Quantity of flowers: Approximately 30 to 35 flowers on a 17 week old plant. Flowers persistent or self cleaning: Persistent. Fragrance: Moderately noticeable sweet scent. Inflorescence size: Diameter.Approximately 7.0 cm. Height.Approximately 6.0 cm. Individual flower size: Diameter.Approximately 3.0 cm. Length.Approximately 3.2 cm. Petals, excluding tube: Petal arrangement.Whorled, multiple whorl. Shape.Spatulate, with an elongated narrow base and orbicular distal section. Base.Attenuate. Margin.Serrated. Apex.Sharply serrated or notched. Length.2.8 cm. Width.1.8 cm. Petal quantity.Average range 14 to 20. Texture.Smooth all surfaces. Aspect.Flat to slightly undulating. Color: When opening.Upper surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 62B, center streak near 62D. Base near White N155A. Lower surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 65C. Base near White N155A. Fully opened.Upper surface: Between Red-Purple 70D. Base near White N155A. Lower surface: Near RHS Purple 75D. Base near White N155A. Fading.Upper surface: Near RHS Red 56C. Base near White N155A. Lower surface: Near RHS Red 56C. Base near White N155A. Tube: General description.Tube consists of the elongated, unfused base of the petals. Tube shape caused by a fused calyx. Length.1.7 cm. Width.0.8 cm. Texture.Smooth. Color: Fully opened.Inner surface: Near RHS Green 137C. Outer surface: Near RHS Green 138A. Bud: Shape.Elongated cylinder. Length.Average 1.8 cm. Diameter.Average 1.1 cm. Color.Near RHS Green-White 157C. Sepals: Quantity.5. Arrangement.Fused tube. Shape.Cynlindric. Length.1.8 cm. Width.0.4 cm. Margin.Entire. Apex.Acute. Texture.Smooth upper and lower surfaces. Color.Near RHS Green 137C. Bracteoles: Shape.Deltate. Quantity per flower.4. Length.Approximately 0.7 cm. Width.Approximately 0.4 cm. Margin.Smooth. Texture.Smooth. Color.Near RHS Green 137C. Peduncle: Length.Average 1.5 cm. Diameter.0.2 cm. Color.Near RHS Green 137C. Orientation.Upright. Strength.Flexible. Texture.Smooth. Pedicel: Length.Average 0.9 cm. Diameter.0.15 cm. Color.Near RHS Green 137C. Orientation.Upright. Strength.Flexible, elastic.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(7) Stamens: Number.Most commonly 6. Filament length.Approximately 1.2 cm. Anthers: Shape.Oblong. Length.Approximately 0.2 cm. Color.Near RHS Yellow 4D. Pollen.Not observed. Pistil: Number.3. Length.Approximately 3.1 cm. Style.Length: Approximately 2.1 cm. Color: Near RHS White N155B. Stigma: Shape.Linear, arching. Color.Near RHS White N155B. Ovary shape.Oblong. Ovary diameter.0.5 cm. Ovary length.0.8 cm. Ovary color.Near RHS Yellow-Green 150D.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(8) Seeds and fruits: Not observed to date. Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to the normal diseases and pests of Dianthus has been observed. Typical diseases of Dianthus include: Alternaria dianthicola, Botrytis cinerea, Erwinia chrysanthemi, Pseudomonas caryophylli, Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium avenaceum, Fusarium culmorum and Rhizoctonia solani, Typical pests include; various species of Thysanopthera, various Aphis species, and various species of Tetranychus. Temperature tolerance: USDA zones 3 through 10 tolerant.