Cope Cher

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Amri Cherose Two' (Americana Cherry Rose II)

Summary: The leaves of 'Cope Cher' are longer and wider than those of 'Amri Cherose Two'. The upper and lower petals of 'Cope Cher' are narrower than those of 'Amri Cherose Two'. The middle third of the pedicel of 'Cope Cher' is dark red whereas it is medium red on 'Amri Cherose Two'.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit, medium to tall, narrow, 4 branches
STEM: green, thin to medium thickness, medium density of pubescence

LEAF BLADE: short to medium in length, narrow, open base,
LEAF MARGIN: bicrenate, weak to medium degree of lobing, medium depth of incisions, medium waviness of margin
UPPER SIDE OF BLADE: medium green, sparse to medium density of pubescence, no variegation
LEAF ZONE: absent to very weak, normal position, green
PETIOLE: medium to dense pubescence

INFLORESCENCE: red colour group, very small to small diameter
PEDUNCLE: short to medium length, medium to dense pubescence, weak anthocyanin colouration
FLORET: elliptic bud shape, small to medium diameter, semi-double, average of 9 petals, entire petal margin
UPPER PETAL: narrow, upper side purple red (more red than RHS N57A at margin; N57A with red veins in middle; 43B-C at base), weak red (RHS 44A) striped markings on upper side, small white basal zone, dark pink red (RHS 52A) on lower side
LOWER PETAL: narrow, upper side purple red (more red than RHS N57A at margin; N57A with red veins in middle), no markings on upper side, small white basal zone, dark pink red (RHS 52A) on lower side
INNER PETAL: upper side purple red (RHS N66B with red veins), no markings
PEDICEL: medium length, dense pubescence, middle third dark red, swelling present
SEPAL: medium to dense pubescence, green at tips with red throughout

Origin & Breeding History: 'Cope Cher' arose from a controlled cross between the variety, '9088-2', characterized by its bright red semi-double flowers, and '10330-2', characterized by its burgundy semi-double flowers. The cross was conducted in Gilroy, California in January, 2006. Seed from the resulting cross was sown in the greenhouse in June, 2006. Initial selection was made in August, 2006 based on flower colour and quality, and plant growth habit.

Tests & Trials: The comparative test and trial of 'Cope Cher' was conducted in a polyhouse during the summer of 2008 at Bioflora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included 20 plants of each variety. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings transplanted into 15 cm pots on June 24, 2008. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety on August 22, 2008. All colour determinations were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Cope Cher' with reference variety 'Amri Cherose Two'

Leaf length (cm)

Leaf width (cm)

Upper petal width (cm)

Lower petal width (cm)

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Pelargonium: 'Cope Cher' (left) with reference variety 'Amri Cherose Two' (right)

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Pelargonium: 'Cope Cher' (left) with reference variety 'Amri Cherose Two' (right)

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Pelargonium: 'Cope Cher' (left) with reference variety 'Amri Cherose Two' (right)