Chrysanthemum plant named Dare

A Chrysanthemum plant named Dare particularly characterized by its flat capitulum form; spooned anemone capitulum type; white ray floret color; diameter across face of capitulum of up to 14 cm at maturity when grown as a pinched disbudded pot mum, with diameter of anemone cushion of up to 6 cm; uniform eight week photoperiodic flowering response to short days; tall plant height when grown as a pinched pot mum; excellent tolerance to high temperatures; recommended both as disbudded and spray pot mum; and upright and prolific branching pattern.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of 
Chrysanthemum, botanically known as Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat, and 
referred to by the cultivar name Dare. 
Dare, identified as 83815001, was originated from a cross made by Cornelis 
P. VandenBerg in a controlled breeding program in Salinas, Calif. in 1983. 
The female parent of Dare was the cultivar Quills, disclosed in U.S. Plant 
Pat. No. 4,401. The male parent of Dare was the cultivar Echo, disclosed 
in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,973. 
Dare was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within the progeny 
of the stated cross by Cornelis P. VandenBerg in January of 1984, in a 
controlled environment in Salinas, Calif. 
The first act of asexual reproduction of Dare was accomplished when 
vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in March of 1984 
in a controlled environment in Salinas, Calif., by technicians working 
under formulations established and supervised by Cornelis P. VandenBerg. 
Horticultural examination of controlled flowerings of successive plantings 
has shown that the unique combination of characteristics as herein 
disclosed for Dare are firmly fixed and are retained through successive 
generations of asexual reproduction. 
Dare has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The 
phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as 
temperature, light intensity, and daylength. 
The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plants 
grown in Salinas, Calif. and Leamington, Canada, under greenhouse 
conditions which approximate those generally used in commercial greenhouse 
practice. 
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be 
basic characteristics of Dare, which, in combination, distinguish this 
Chrysanthemum as a new and distinct cultivar: 
1. Flat capitulum form. 
2. Spooned anemone capitulum type. 
3. White ray floret color. 
4. Diameter across face of capitulum of up to 14 cm at maturity when grown 
as a pinched disbudded pot mum, with diameter of anemone cushion of up to 
6 cm. 
5. Uniform eight week photoperiodic flowering response to short days. 
6. Tall plant height, requiring 0 to 7 long days after pinch prior to short 
days and 1 to 2 applications of 2500 ppm B-9 SP to attain a flowered plant 
height of 25 to 35 cm for year-round flowerings when grown as a pinched 
pot mum. 
7. Excellent tolerance to high temperatures. 
8. Recommended both as disbudded and spray pot mum. 
9. Upright and prolific branching pattern.

Of the commercial cultivars known to the inventor, the most similar in 
comparison to Dare is the male parent Echo. Reference is made to attached 
Chart A, which compares certain characteristics of Dare to the same 
characteristics of Echo. 
Similar traits are capitulum form and type. Dare is clear white, has a more 
prolific branching pattern, a much larger diameter of capitulum, taller 
plant height and a faster flowering response to short days than Echo. Dare 
is recommended as both disbud and spray pot mum, whereas Echo is 
recommended only as a spray pot mum. 
In the following description, color references are made to The Royal 
Horticultural Society Colour Chart. The clear white color of the ray 
florets is not represented in the R.H.S. Colour Chart. The color values 
were determined on plant material grown as a pinched disbudded pot mum in 
Salinas, Calif. on June 11, 1987. 
Classification: 
Botanical.--Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., cv. Dare. 
Commercial.--Spooned anemone disbud and spray pot mum. 
INFLORESCENCE 
A. Capitulum: 
Form.--Flat. 
Type.--Spooned anemone. 
Diameter across face.--Up to 14 cm at maturity. Diameter of anemone cushion 
up to 7 cm at maturity. 
B. Corolla of ray florets: 
Color (general tonality from a distance of three meters).--White. 
Color (upper surface) (spoon tips).--White. 
Color (under surface) (tubes).--White. 
Shape.--Base tubular, Distal portion open, flattened and spoon like. Spoons 
are narrow, flat and straight. Spoon length varies from 30% to 60% of the 
length of the ray floret. 
C. Corolla of disc florets (Anemone Cushion): 
Color (mature).--Closest to 155A with tips closest to 3B. 
Color (immature).--Closest to 1A to 2B. 
D. Reproductive organs: 
Androecium.--Present on disc florets only; no pollen. 
Gynoecium.--Present on both ray and disc florets. 
PLANT 
A. General appearance: 
Height.--Tall; 25 to 35 cm as a pinched pot mum with 0 to 7 long days after 
pinch prior to short days and 1 to 2 applications of 2500 ppm B-9 SP. 
Branching pattern.--Upright and prolific. 
B. Foliage: 
Color (upper surface).--147A to 147B. 
Color (under surface).--147B to 147C. 
Shape.--Deeply lobed and slightly serrated. 
CHART A 
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Comparison of Dare and Echo 
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Ray Floret Capitulum Branching 
Cultivar 
Color Form and Type 
Pattern 
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Dare White Flat Upright and 
Spooned prolific 
Anemone 
Echo Ivory White Flat Upright 
Spooned 
Anemone 
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Diameter Flowering 
across face response 
Cultivar 
of capitulum 
Plant height period 
______________________________________ 
Dare Up to 14 cm Tall 8 weeks 
as disbud 
Echo 70-75 mm Medium 9 weeks 
as spray 
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Cultivar Recommended Use 
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Dare Disbud and spray 
Echo Spray only 
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Comparisons made of plants grown as pinched pot mums (Dare as disbud, Ech 
as spray) in Salinas, California