A Petunia plant particularly distinguished by its white flower color and creeping, mounding habit.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Petunia, botanically known as Petunia hybrida, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name Kakegawa S60 . Kakegawa S60 originated from a hybridization made in 1997 in Kakegawa, Japan. The female parent originated from a cross made in 1994 between an F 4 multiflora selection from the variety Dream White and a dwarf multiflora pink breeding line. From several F 1 plants produced, three were selected for intercrossing. In 1995 the mass produced F 2 seed was sown and several dwarf multiflora white lines were selected for intercrossing to produce F 3 seed. Selection and intercrossing continued until the F 5 generation was produced, which was designated line 4-96b-1a-1 (not patented). The male parent originated from a cross made in 1994 between a dwarf multiflora white breeding line and a white flowered, creeping habit breeding line named 4UK-1 (not patented). Three F 1 plants were selected and intercrossed to produce F 3 seed. Selection and intercrossing continued until the F 5 generation was produced, which was designated line 4-197G-1a-14 (not patented).

Two hundred F 1 plants were transplanted to the field in Salinas, Calif. during the summer of 1998. Five lines were selected for further evaluation and vegetatively propagated. The five lines were propagated again in 1999 and evaluated for fixed characteristics and ease of propagation. Final selection of one line was made in Salinas, Calif. during the summer of 1999. The line was established as Kakegawa S60 , and determined to have its characteristics firmly fixed.

Kakegawa S60 has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics after two years and four cycles of vegetative propagation and this novelty is firmly fixed. The variety has demonstrated stability during this time and has no inherent variation or off-types.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of Kakegawa S60 . The data which defines these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Salinas, Calif. Three plants from fully rooted 15 cm diameter pots were transplanted to one 50 cm diameter hanging baskets and grown in the same conditions. Data was collected on plants in 50 cm diameter pots eight weeks after rooted cuttings were transplanted. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.).

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

Environmental conditions for plant growth:

Plants were propagated from vegetative cuttings, and grown individually in 15 cm diameter plastic pots in a glass greenhouse located in Salinas, Calif. Pots contained a peat moss-based growing medium. Soluble fertilizer containing 18% nitrogen, 8% phosphorus and 18% potassium was applied in four, daily irrigations. The fifth irrigation was made with non-fertilized water. Pots were top-dressed with a slow release fertilizer containing 18% nitrogen, 8% phosphorus and 18% potassium. The typical average air temperature was 24C.

Plant size. 45 cm total diameter and 25 cm total height.

Time to initiate root development. 7 days after sticking cuttings.

Time to bloom from propagation. 4-6 weeks after rooting when grown in 10-15 cm diameter plastic pots.

Color. Upper surface is green (RHS 139A) and lower surface is green (RHS 138C).

Size. Length is 6.0-6.5 cm and width is 4.0-4.2 cm.

Stamens. 5 total with two long and three short; yellow-green (RHS 150D).

Disease and Insect Resistance

No susceptibility to diseases or insects noted to date.

Comparison with Known Cultivars

Kakegawa S60 is most similar to the variety Cascadia Choice but differs in the following areas: Kakegawa S60 flowers are larger in diameter when fully expanded than Cascadia Choice . The width of the corolla tube at the throat is narrower for Kakegawa S60 than for Cascadia Choice . Cascadia Choice has a purple or reddish ring at the corolla throat where Kakegawa S60 simply transitions from white petals to a greenish yellow tube.

Comparison with Parental Cultivars

Table 1 below lists some traits from the parental cultivars as compared to the present invention.

TABLE 1 4-96b-1a-1 4-197G-1a-14 Characteristic Kakegawa S57 (female) (male) Plant Habit Creeping Dwarf and compact Creeping Flower Size Medium Grandiflora Medium Flower Petal White White White Color