A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Dektanga Pink’, characterized by its single-type inflorescences with elongated oblong-shaped, pink-colored ray florets; strong and upright flowering stems; freely flowering habit; early and uniform flowering response; plants flower about 45 days after the start of photoinductive treatments; and good postproduction longevity; plants maintain good substance for about 23 days in an interior environment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemumplant, botanically known asChrysanthemum×morifolium,commercially grown as a cut flower and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘Dektanga Pink’.

The newChrysanthemumis a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Hensbroek, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program is to create new single-typeChrysanthemumcultivars with unique ray florets coloration and excellent postproduction longevity.

The newChrysanthemumoriginated from a cross-pollination made by the Inventor in Hensbroek, The Netherlands on Feb. 26, 2004 of a proprietary selection ofChrysanthemum×morifoliumidentified as code number 02.6428.03, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection ofChrysanthemum×morifoliumidentified as code number 41225, not patented. The cultivar Dektanga Pink was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a flowering plant from within the progeny of the state cross-pollination in a controlled environment in Hensbroek, The Netherlands on Oct. 17, 2004.

Asexual reproduction of the newChrysanthemumby terminal cuttings in a controlled environment in Hensbroek, The Netherlands since Nov. 2, 2004, has shown that the unique features of this newChrysanthemumare stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Deksi2nclair’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Dektanga Pink’ as a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemum:1. Single-type inflorescences with elongated oblong-shaped, pink-colored ray florets.2. Strong and upright flowering stems.3. Freely flowering habit.4. Early and uniform flowering response; plants flower about 45 days after the start of photoinductive treatments.5. Good postproduction longevity; plants maintain good substance for about 23 days in an interior environment.

Plants of the newChrysanthemumdiffer from plants of the female parent selection in the following characteristics:1. Plants of the newChrysanthemumflower earlier than plants of the female parent selection.2. Plants of the newChrysanthemumare most freely flowering than plants of the female parent selection.

Plants of the newChrysanthemumdiffer from plants of the male parent selection in the following characteristics:1. Plants of the newChrysanthemumflower earlier than plants of the male parent selection.2. Plants of the newChrysanthemumhave smaller inflorescences than plants of the male parent selection.3. Inflorescences of plants of the newChrysanthemumhave fewer ray florets than inflorescences of plants of the male parent selection.4. Plants of the newChrysanthemumand the male parent selection differ in ray floret color as plants of the male parent selection have darker pink-colored ray florets.

Plants of the newChrysanthemumcan be compared to plants of theChrysanthemumcultivar Deklindi White, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,815. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Hensbroek, The Netherlands, plants of the newChrysanthemumdiffered from plants of the cultivar Deklindi White in the following characteristics:1. Inflorescences of plants of the newChrysanthemumhad larger discs than inflorescences of plants of the cultivar Deklindi White.2. Inflorescences of plants of the newChrysanthemumhad fewer and shorter ray florets than inflorescences of plants of the cultivar Deklindi White.3. Plants of the newChrysanthemumand the cultivar Deklindi White differed in ray floret coloration as plants of the cultivar Deklindi White had white-colored ray florets.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2001 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The aforementioned photographs and following observations and measurements describe plants grown during the winter in Hensbroek, The Netherlands, under commercial practice in a glass-covered greenhouse. Plants were initially given long day/short night treatments followed by short day/long night treatments to induce flower initiation and development. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 17.5° C. to 30° C., night temperatures ranged from 18.5° C. to 24° C. and light levels were about five kilolux. Plants were about eight weeks from planting when the photographs and the description were taken.Botanical classification:Chrysanthemum×morifoliumcultivar Dektanga Pink.Parentage:Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection ofChrysanthemum×morifoliumidentified as code number 02.6428.03, not patented.Male, or pollen, parent.—Proprietary selection ofChrysanthemum×morifoliumidentified as code number 41225, not patented.Propagation:Type.—Terminal vegetative cuttings.Time to initiate roots.—About six to seven days at 20° C.Time to produce a rooted young plant.—About 14 to 16 days at 20° C.Root description/habit.—Fine; light brown in color; freely branching.Plant description:Appearance/growth habit.—Herbaceous single-type cut flower that is typically grown as a spray-type. Moderately vigorous growth habit.Flowering stem description.—Aspect: Erect. Length: About 65 cm. Spray diameter: About 10 cm to 15 cm. Diameter: About 5 mm. Number of lateral branches: About five or six. Internode length: About 1 cm. Texture: Pubescent; longitudinally ridged. Color: Close to 146A.Foliage description.—Arrangement: Alternate; simple. Length: About 3.5 cm to 7 cm. Width: About 1.5 cm to 3 cm. Apex: Cuspidate. Base: Attenuate. Margin: Palmately lobed; sinuses parallel to convergent. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Pubescent, slightly rough; veins prominent on lower surface. Color: Developing foliage, upper surface: Close to 147A. Developing foliage, lower surface: Close to 137C. Fully expanded foliage, upper surface: Close to 147A; venation, close to 147B. Fully expanded foliage, lower surface: Close to 147B; venation, 147B. Petiole: Length: About 5 mm to 1.5 cm. Diameter: About 1 mm to 2 mm. Texture, upper surface: Smooth. Texture, lower surface: Slightly rough. Color, upper surface: Close to 146A. Color, lower surface: Close to 147B.Inflorescence description:Appearance.—Single-type inflorescence form with elongated oblong-shaped ray florets. Inflorescences borne on terminals, arising from leaf axils. Ray and disc florets develop acropetally on a capitulum. Inflorescences slightly fragrant.Flower response.—Under natural conditions, plant flower in the autumn/winter in the Northern Hemisphere. At other times of the year, inflorescence initiation and development can be induced under short day/long night conditions (at least 13.5 hours of darkness). Early and uniform flowering response; plants exposed to two weeks of long day/short night conditions after planting followed by photoinductive short day/long night conditions flower about 45 days later when grown as a spray-type.Postproduction longevity.—In an interior environment, inflorescences and foliage will maintain good color and substance for about 23 days.Quantity of inflorescences.—When grown as a spray type, freely flowering habit, about twelve inflorescences per flowering stem develop.Inflorescence size.—Diameter: About 2 cm to 2.2 cm. Depth (height): About 7 mm. Disc diameter: About 8 mm. Receptacle height: About 3 mm. Receptacle diameter: About 3 mm.Inflorescence buds.—Shape: Oblate. Height: About 2 mm to 3 mm. Diameter: About 3 mm to 4 mm. Color: Close to 144A.Ray florets.—Length: About 6 mm to 8 mm. Width: About 3 mm to 5 mm. Shape: Oval to oblong. Angle: Initially upright to about 30° from vertical. Apex: Rounded to tridentate. Base: Attenuate. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Number of ray florets per inflorescence: About 15 to 18 arranged in a single whorl. Color: When opening, upper surface: Close to 77B. When opening, lower surface: Close to 75B. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 77C. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to 76C.Disc florets.—Shape: Tubular, elongated. Length: About 4 mm. Diameter: About 1 mm. Number of disc florets per inflorescence: About 150. Color: Immature: Apex: Close to 144B. Mid-section: Close to 154B. Base: Close to 145D. Mature: Apex: Close to 3B. Mid-section and base: Close to 145C.Involucral bracts.—Length: About 5 mm. Width: About 3 mm. Shape: Oval. Apex: Rounded. Base: Rounded to truncate. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Number of ray florets per inflorescence: About 20 arranged in about two whorls. Color, upper surface: Close to 137A. Color, lower surface: Close to 137C.Peduncles.—Length, first peduncle: About 2.5 cm to 3 cm. Length, fourth peduncle: About 3 cm. Diameter: About 1 mm to 1.5 mm. Angle: About 30° from vertical. Strength: Moderately strong. Texture: Pubescent; longitudinally ridged. Color: Close to 137B.Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Not observed. Gynoecium: Present on both ray and disc florets. Style length: About 3 mm to 4 mm. Style color: Close to 145D.Seed/fruit.—Seed and fruit production has not been observed.Disease/pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens and pests common toChrysanthemumshas not been observed on plants grown under commercial conditions.