Geranium plant named Fismanon

A new and distinct cultivar of Geranium plant named Fismanon, particularly characterized by the combined features of rose colored semi-double flowers, very early flowering, rich in flowers in summer, unique leaf shape, compact habit, and fast rooting.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Geranium, 
botanically known as Pelargonium peltatum, and commercially known as ivy 
Geranium. The new cultivar is known by the cultivar name Fismanon. 
Fismanon is a product of a planned breeding program which had the objective 
of creating new ivy Geranium cultivars with rose flower color, very fast 
rooting, compact habit for hanging baskets, and a unique type of leaf. 
Fismanon was originated from a hybridization made by the inventor in a 
controlled breeding program in Galdar, Gran Canaria, Spain in 1982. The 
female parent was Mad. Crousse, a cultivar having light red semi-double 
flowers and long internotes. The male parent of Fismanon was an inbred 
line of the cultivar Super Rose, having salmon rose semi-double flowers 
and short internodes. 
Fismanon was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within the 
progeny of the stated cross by Ingeborg Schumann in January 1983 in a 
controlled environment in Galdar, Gran Canaria, Spain. 
The first act of asexual reproduction of Fismanon was accomplished when 
vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in February 1985 
in a controlled environment in Gran Canaria by, or under the supervision 
of, Ingeborg Schumann. 
Horticultural examination of selected units initiated in the spring of 1985 
and continuing thereafter has demonstrated that the combination of 
characteristics as herein disclosed for Fismanon are firmly fixed and are 
retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. 
Fismanon 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 Hillscheid, Federal Republic of Germany, under greenhouse 
conditions which approximate those generally used in commercial practice. 
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be 
basic characteristics of Fismanon, which, in combination, distinguish this 
Geranium as a new and distinct cultivar: 
1. Rose colored semi-double flowers. 
2. New shape of leaf; as compared with other peltatum varieties, there is a 
stronger degree of lobing, deeper incisions, and pointed tips. 
3. Compact habit for hanging baskets. 
4. Very good rooting. 
5. Very early flowering. 
Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most 
similar in comparison to Fismanon is Pink Charme. Reference is made to 
attached Chart A which compares certain characteristics of Fismanon to 
those same characteristics of Pink Charme. In general comparison to Pink 
Charme, Fismanon has a darker flower color and shorter internodes, earlier 
commencement of flowering, more flowers during the summer, and different 
leaf shape.

In the following description color references are made to The Royal 
Horticultural Society Color Chart (RHS) and in certain instances to the 
Horticultural Color Chart (HCC). The color values were determined between 
8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. indoors on May 20, 1987 under 40,000 Lux light 
intensity at Hillscheid, Federal Republic of German. 
Classification: 
Botanical.--Pelargonium peltatum l'hert. cv Fismanon. 
Commercial.--Ivy geranium. 
INFLORESCENCE 
A. Umbel: 
Average diameter.--Indoor, 8.3 cm; outdoor, 8.5 cm. 
Average depth.--Indoor, 4.9 cm; outdoor, 5.1 cm. 
Peduncle length.--Indoor, 12.2 cm; outdoor, 10.4 cm. 
Pedical length.--Indoor, 2.7 cm; outdoor, 2.3 cm. 
Pedicels.--Formed partly with "spurs" (swellings). 
B. Corolla: 
Average diameter.--Indoor, 5.4 cm; outdoor, 5.1 cm. 
Form.--Semi-double. 
Color (general tonality from a distance of three meters).--Pink, 62B-C. 
Color (upper surface, main color).--RHS 67D; HCC 625/1. 
Color (upper surface, near margin).--RHS 62B; HCC 625/2; lower surface not 
noticeably different; the upper petal has purple stripes and a white spot 
at the base. 
C. Bud: 
Shape.--narrow, elliptic. 
Color.--light green. 
D. Reproductive organs: 
Androecium.--8 anthers. 
Gynoecium.--5 lobed stigma. 
E. Spring flowering response period: In Hillscheid, Federal Republic of 
Germany in 1988, 75% of plants with at least 1 flower opened 10 weeks 
after planting of unrooted cuttings in week 7. 
F. Outdoor flower production: The flower count in 1988 in Hillscheid, 
Federal Republic of Germany indicated between 53 and 58 flowers per plant 
for June through October observation period. 
G. Durability: Rain resistance is not very good; shattering medium. 
PLANT 
A. Foliage: 
Form.--Ivy shaped. 
Margin.--Entire; but certain leaf segments notched at periphery. 
Color.--Medium green, approximately RHS 147B. 
Zonation.--None. 
Tolerance to botrytis.--Medium. 
B. General appearance and form: 
Internode length.--Very short. 
Branching pattern.--5.9 branches per plant 13 weeks after planting of 
unrooted cuttings. 
Height.--Compact, small. 
CHART A 
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COMISON OF FISMANON AND PINK CHARME 
FISMANON PINK CHARM 
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Color of leaves 
light-medium green 
medium green 
Zonation absent medium 
Color of flower petals 
rose, RHS 62B-67D 
light rose, 
RHS 62B-C 
Markings on petal 
medium medium-strong 
Markings on lower side 
stripes hardly 
marked stripes 
of petal visible 
Pedicel swelling 
present absent 
Sepals and pedicels 
green green, partly 
red 
Internode length 
3.0 cm 6.1 cm 
Beginning of flowering 
early medium-late 
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