African violet plant

An African violet plant known by the cultivar name Vermont having strong upright stems, with 10-12 flowers per stem, with the flowers being clear and deep blue, the cultivar flowers profusely, has a uniform growth habit, and lush medium green leaves.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of African 
violet plant, botanically known as Saintpaulia ionantha, and hereinafter 
referred to by the cultivar name Vermont. 
The new cultivar was referred to during the breeding and selection process 
by the designation E 18/1, and is a product of a planned breeding program. 
The basic objective of the breeding program was to create a new African 
violet cultivar having single flower form, blue in color, and upright 
stems with a profuse flower head. 
The new cultivar was originated from a cross made in a controlled breeding 
program in Isselburg, West Germany. The female, or seed parent was a 
cultivar designated b 296 SAM blue. The male, or pollen parent was a 
cultivar designated FEDA blue upright. 
The new cultivar Vermont was discovered and selected by me as a flowering 
plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment 
in Isselburg, West Germany. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by 
leaf cuttings and by division of shoots, as performed by me at Isselburg, 
West Germany, has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as 
herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and are retained 
through successive generations of asexual reproduction. 
Vermont has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. 
The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such 
as temperature, light intensity and day length. The following 
observations, measurements and values describe the new cultivar as grown 
in Isselburg, West Germany, under greenhouse conditions which closely 
approximate those generally used in commercial practice. 
The following traits have been repeated observed and are determined to be 
basic characteristics of Vermont, which in combination distinguish this 
African violet as a new and distinct cultivar: 
1. Vigorous growth habit. 
2. Nine to fifteen strong upright flower stems. 
3. Ten to twelve or more flowers per stem. 
4. Clear and deep blue blossom color. 
5. Profuse flowering. 
6. Uniform in growth. 
7. Lush medium green leaves. 
8. Attractive saleable plant within 8-9 weeks after potting.

In the following description, color references are made to the 
Horticultural Colour Chart (HCC) issued by Wilson Colour Ltd., except 
where general colors of ordinary significance are referred to. Color 
values were taken under natural light conditions approximately mid-day in 
Isselburg, West Germany. 
Botanical classification: Saintpaulia ionantha, Ramat. cv. Vermont. 
Parentage: 
Male parent.--FEDA blue upright. 
Female parent.--b 296 SAM blue. 
Propagation: The new cultivar holds its distinguishing characteristics 
through successive propagations by leaf cuttings and by division of 
shoots. 
Plant: From 9 cm. to 11 cm. tall when grown in pots, and approximately 25 
cm. in diameter when fully grown. 
Leaves: 
General form.--Heart-shaped. 
Diameter.--65 mm. 
Texture.--Soft and slightly hairy. 
Aspect.--Shiny. 
Veins.--Upperside visible; underside well-pronounced and purplish brown, 
more mature leaves light green. 
Color (upperside).--HCC parsley green 00962. 
Color (underside).--HCC willow green 000862/2; older ones sage green 
00861/3. 
Petiole.--Young petiole purplish brown; old petiole brownish green. 
Flowers: 
Buds.--Bell-shaped; 7 mm. just before opening; 10-12 or more per stem. 
Sepals.--Color: Greenish brown. Calyx: Funneled. Aspect: Spear-shaped, 
hairy. Peduncle: Short and sturdy, upright, brownish. 
Individual flowers: 
Size.--40-45 mm. 
Color.--Upperside: Victoria violet 738, center slightly darker, velvety. 
Underside: Victoria violet 738/2. 
Borne.--Flower stem carries up to 12 or more flowers on short strong 
peduncles; flowers normally display an additional sixth small petal in 
center of blossom. 
Shape.--Conventional (2 small and 3 large petals), except for additional 
petal in center. 
Flowering time: First flowers appear 7-8 weeks after potting; after 10 
weeks full flowering saleable plant. 
Reproductive organs: 
Stamens.--Four anthers (in star-flowers occasionally up to 6), composed of 
2 cells, with seed capsule pushed slightly through. 
Anthers.--HCC empire yellow 603. 
Filaments.--4 mm. long; light yellowish green. 
Styles.--7 mm., mineral violet 635; base of ovary light green and hairy. 
Pollen color.--HCC canary yellow 2/3. 
Roots: White when young and active; greenish brown when older; normally 
developed. 
Disease resistance: Good as experienced to date. 
General observations: Vermont is a very vigorous grower with lush medium 
green leaves and deep blue flower color. It is very rich in blossoms and 
flowers continuously. Its flowers do not fade and are non-dropping. They 
are long-lasting and dry off on stem after full maturity.