Earth and Space News: Ecke Ranch poinsettias

Showing posts with label Ecke Ranch poinsettias. Show all posts

Saturday, January 7, 2017

Poinsettia Named 'Variegated-Leaf Success' Has Variegated Leaves

Summary: A poinsettia named 'Variegated-Leaf Success,' by Ecke Ranch's chief hydridizer, Franz Fruehwirth, has variegated leaves and bright red flower bracts.

side view of poinsettia 'Variegated-Leaf Success' in images included in Franz Fruehwirth's patent application, filed Friday, March 22, 1996, as application number 08/621002, with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO); United States Plant Patent No. US PP9,990; Date of Patent Aug. 5, 1997; color scans via Plant Patents Image Database, Digital Collections @ University of Maryland Libraries

A poinsettia named 'Variegated-Leaf Success,' cultivated as a natural sport of Euphorbia pulcherrima by Franz Fruehwirth, Ecke Ranch's chief hybridizer, has variegated leaves and bright red flower bracts.

On March 22, 1996, Franz Fruehwirth filed an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a patent for a poinsettia named 'Variegated-Leaf Success.' The inventor named Paul Ecke Ranch Inc., in Encinitias, southern California, as assignee. Howard J. Locker was the application's primary examiner. On Aug. 5, 1997, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office assigned plant patent number 9,990 to a poinsettia named 'Variegated-Leaf Success.'

A poinsettia named 'Variegated-Leaf Success' originated as a natural sport of poinsettia plant '559.' Poinsettia '559' was an induced, self-branching sport of seedling 'H-18,' a proprietary, unpatented plant in the Ecke Ranch greenhouse in Encinitas.

Fruethwirth selected 'Variegated-Leaf Success' from among several thousand '559' poinsettias in 1994. The inventor based his selection upon the sport's strikingly variegated leaves and bright red flower bracts. Vegetative propagation via stem cuttings confirmed the retention and true reproduction of the sport's desirable traits over successive generations.

Fruehwirth's patent application describes poinsettia 'Variegated-Leaf Success' in December 1995. Flowering plants were grown as one branched plant in a pot with a diameter of 14 centimeters (5.51 inches) and a height of 11 centimeters (4.33 inches).

The short shrub reached an overall height of 38 centimeters (14.96 inches). Its spread, or overall width, measured 33 centimeters (12.99 inches).

The upright, single-stemmed plant exhibits self-branching side shoots. Axillary branches do not require pinching in order to develop their terminal inflorescences. Fruehwirth, though, recommends pinching for fast, uniform develoment of axillary branches.

The poinsettia named 'Variegated-Leaf Success' logs a response period of about 10 weeks. The flowering response period is triggered by continuous long night conditions and night temperatures of 16 to 18 degrees Celsius (60.8 to 64.4 degrees Fahrenheit).

Medium-sized leaves typically measure 15 to 16 centimeters (5.90 to 6.29 inches) in length. Blade width typically is 10 to 11 centimeters (3.93 to 4.33 inches).

Leaf shape is usually ovate, or egg-shaped. The blade's margins are described as mostly entire, with smooth, untoothed edges.

A leaf's variegation may comprise sometimes two, but mostly three, different colors. Blade colors generally appear as dark green, light green and light yellow. The yellow color tends to occur at the blade's periphery.

Upper surfaces have a dark greenness (darker than Royal Horticultural Society color chart color 147A). Other color zones are light green, nearly brown green (RHS 148B), and yellow, lighter than brown green (RHS 153D).

Foliage displays good retention. The low light intensities characteristic of consumers' homes do not interfere with leaf longevity.

Variously sized bracts, numbering about 12 to 15, subtend, or underlie, the 'Variegated-Leaf Success' poinsettia's cuplike floral structure, known as a cyathium. Medium- to large-sized primary bracts typically are 18 centimeters (7.08 inches) in length. Their typical width is 12 centimeters (4.72 inches).

Primary bracts are ovate, or egg-shaped. One indentation, on either side of the bract, lobes each primary bract.

Secondary bracts have shapes that are ovate to elliptical. Their smooth, untoothed margins are described as entire.

Upper surfaces of bracts have a bright red coloring (near RHS 45B). Lower surfaces are red (near RHS 46C).

In full bloom, 'Variegated-Leaf Success' poinsettia generally features 10 to 12 cyathia. Each cyathium measures about 6 millimeters (0.236 inches) in length by 5 millimeters (0.196 inches) in width.

Cyathias are green, with red fringes at the distal, or outer, ends. Protruding from the side of each cyathium is a yellow nectar cup. Nectar exudate, or secretion, is abundantly present.

The takeaway for a poinsettia named 'Variegated-Leaf Success' is its good flowering response period, its distinctive palette of variegated leaves and bright red bracts, its attractive self-branching habit and its good retention of bracts and leaves.

A poinsettia named 'Variegated-Leaf Success,' which has variegated leaves, shows that unusual leaf color zones are interesting contributors to the poinsettia palette.

top view of poinsettia 'Variegated-Leaf Success' in images included in Franz Fruehwirth's patent application, filed Friday, March 22, 1996, as application number 08/621002, with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO); United States Plant Patent No. US PP9,990; Date of Patent Aug. 5, 1997; color scans via Plant Patents Image Database, Digital Collections @ University of Maryland Libraries

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants. “Document TGP/14: Glossary of Technical, Botanical and Statistical Terms Used in UPOV Documents. Section 2: Botanical Terms: Subsection 3: Color: (2): Color Names for the RHS Colour Chart.” UPOV (Union Internationale Pour la Protection des Obtentions Végétales). Dec. 9, 2006.
Available @ http://www.upov.int/edocs/mdocs/upov/en/tc_edc/2007/tgp_14_draft_1_section_2_3_2.pdf

Marriner, Derdriu. “American Green Poinsettia Gardens for America's Toothed Spurge.” Earth and Space News. Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2016/12/american-green-poinsettia-gardens-for.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “American Wild Poinsettia Gardens for America's Other Poinsettia.” Earth and Space News. Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2016/12/american-wild-poinsettia-gardens-for.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “From Unnamed Patented Poinsettia to 'Flaming Sphere' to 'Winter Rose'™.” Earth and Space News. Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2016/12/from-unnamed-patented-poinsettia-to.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “New Poinsettia Plant Named 'Snowcap' Has Creamy White Flower Bracts.” Earth and Space News. Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2016/12/new-poinsettia-plant-named-snowcap-has.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “Poinsettia '3-91' With Blushed Red Bracts Is Sold as Monet Twilight™.” Earth and Space News. Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2016/12/poinsettia-3-91-with-blushed-red-bracts.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “Poinsettia 'Ice Punch' Has Cherry Red and Pink Bicolored Flower Bracts.” Earth and Space News. Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2016/12/poinsettia-ice-punch-has-cherry-red-and.html

“Poinsettia Plant '559.'” United States Patent and Trademark Office > Program in Word (PIW). June 7, 1994.
Available @ http://pdfpiw.uspto.gov/.piw?PageNum=0&docid=PP008773

“Poinsettia Plant Named 'Variegated-Leaf Success.'” United States Patent and Trademark Office > Program in Word (PIW). Aug. 5, 1997.
Available @ http://pdfpiw.uspto.gov/.piw?PageNum=0&docid=PP009990

“PP09990 -- Poinsettia Plant Named 'Variegated Leaf Success.'” University of Maryland Plant Patent Image Database.
Available @ http://www.lib.umd.edu/plantpatents/id/977

Saturday, December 31, 2016

New Poinsettia Plant Named 'Snowcap' Has Creamy White Flower Bracts

Summary: A new poinsettia plant named 'Snowcap,' cultivated by Ecke Ranch's chief hydridizer, Franz Fruehwirth, has creamy white flower bracts.

side view of poinsettia 'Snowcap' in images included in Franz Fruehwirth's patent application, filed Wednesday, Jan. 7, 1998, as application number 09/004042, with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO); United States Plant Patent No. US PP11,100; Date of Patent Oct. 19, 1999; color scans via Plant Patents Image Database, Digital Collections @ University of Maryland Libraries

A new poinsettia named 'Snowcap,' a self-branching sport cultivated by Ecke Ranch's chief hybridizer, Franz Fruehwirth, has creamy white flower bracts framed by medium dark green leaves.

On Oct. 19, 1999, Fruehwirth filed an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a patent for his new poinsettia named 'Snowcap.' He listed Paul Ecke Ranch Inc. in Encinitas, southern California, as assignee. Howard J. Locker reviewed the application as primary examiner. Kent L. Bell served as assistant examiner. On Oct. 19, 1999, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office assigned plant patent number 11,100 to a new poinsettia named 'Snowcap.'

'Snowcap' originated as naturally occurring genetic mutation, known as a sport, of a Euphorbia pulcherrima seedling. Designated as “L-16,” the seedling is a proprietary, unpatented plant in an Ecke Ranch greenhouse in Encinitas.

Fruehwirth selected 'Snowcap' for its creamy white flower bracts and medium dark green leaves. Other distinctive traits capturing Fruehwirth's attention included large flower clusters, self branching and a nine-week flowering response time.

Vegetative propagation via stem cuttings demonstrated the firm retention and true reproduction of the sport's distinctive traits over successive generations.

The inventor's descriptions in his application concern flowering poinsettias in December 1996. Plants were grown as one branch plant in a pot with a diameter of 14 centimeters (5.51 inches) and a height of 11 centimeters (4.33 inches). The short- to medium-sized, potted shrub reached an overall height of 41 centimeters (16.14 inches). Its spread, or overall width, measured 26 centimeters (10.236 inches).

Axillary branches do not require pinching in order to develop a terminal inflorescence. Fruehwirth, however, recommends pinching to encourage fast, uniform development of axillary branches.

Flowering occurs in about nine weeks as a response to continuous long night conditions. The desirable night temperature range is about 16 to 18 degrees Celsius (60.8 to 64.4 degrees Fahrenheit).

Medium-sized leaves have typical lengths of 14 centimeters (5.51 inches). The blade width typically measures 9 centimeters (3.54 inches).

Leaf shape is generally ovate, or egg-shaped. Leaf blade margins may be lobed with one indentation on each side.

Leaves display uniform medium dark greenness. Upper surfaces are a dark medium green that is darker than dark green (Royal Horticultural Society color chart color 137A; nearly RHS 147A dark green). Lower surfaces have a greenness that nears dark green (RHS 147A).

'Snowcap' poinsettia's foliage lasts very well. The low light intensities that characterize consumers' homes do not interfere with leaf retention.

Usually, 20 to 22 variously-sized bracts subtend, or underlie, 'Snowcap' poinsettia's cuplike floral heads, known as cyathia (Ancient Greek: κύαθος. kyathos, "drinking cup"). Primary bracts typically have lengths of 12 to 13 centimeters (4.72 to 5.11 inches) and widths of 7 to 8 centimeters (2.75 to 3.14 inches).

Primary bracts have ovate shapes, with margins that are entire, or smooth and untoothed. The variously sized secondary bracts have broadly elliptical shapes.

Fruehwirth finds that 'Snowcap' poinsettia's creamy white flower bracts are far whiter than most “white” commercial poinsettias. Upper surfaces are whiter than yellow green (RHS 2D). The whiteness of lower surfaces nears yellow green (RHS 2D). Veins are greenish.

At full bloom, 'Snowcap' poinsettia bears about 21 to 24 cyathia per inflorescence. Cyathia are green-colored. The distal end, farthest from the point of attachment, has creamy white fringes. Protruding from the side of each cyathium are one or two yellow nectar cups. Nectar exudate, or secretion, is abundant.

'Snowcap' poinsettia exhibits a better than average retention of cyathia. Cyathia may last three weeks beyond full floral maturity.

The takeaway for the poinsettia plant named 'Snowcap' that has creamy white flower bracts framed by medium dark green leaves is the sport's desirable self branching, good flowering response time, attractive color contrasts and good bract, cyathia and leaf retention.

A poinsettia plant named 'Snowcap' lives up to its desirable description as a cap of creamy white bracts, whiter than most commercial “white” poinsettias, dramatized by medium dark green leaves and desirable branching.

top view of poinsettia 'Snowcap' in images included in Franz Fruehwirth's patent application, filed Wednesday, Jan. 7, 1998, as application number 09/004042, with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO); United States Plant Patent No. US PP11,100; Date of Patent Oct. 19, 1999; color scans via Plant Patents Image Database, Digital Collections @ University of Maryland Libraries

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

“Mutations: Plant.” Royal Horticultural Society > Advice.
Available @ https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=259

“Poinsettia Named Angelika.” United States Patent and Trademark Office > Program in Word (PIW). June 11, 1985.
Available @ http://pdfpiw.uspto.gov/.piw?PageNum=0&docid=PP005492

“Poinsettia Plant Named 'Snowcap.'” United States Patent and Trademark Office > Program in Word (PIW). Oct. 19, 1999.
Available @ http://pdfpiw.uspto.gov/.piw?PageNum=0&docid=PP011100

“Poinsettia V-14.” United States Patent and Trademark Office > Program in Word (PIW). Feb. 20, 1979.
Available @ http://pdfpiw.uspto.gov/.piw?PageNum=0&docid=PP004384

“PP11100 Poinsettia Plant Named 'Snowcap.'” University of Maryland Plant Patent Image Database.
Available @ http://www.lib.umd.edu/plantpatents/id/7085