Dahlia plant named ‘Dahlgr50’

A new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant named ‘Dahlgr50’, characterized by its relatively compact, mounding and dense plant habit; freely basal branching habit; dark brown-colored leaves; early and freely flowering habit; single-type inflorescence form; large inflorescences with bright red-colored ray florets; and good postproduction longevity and garden performance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofDahliaplant, botanically known asDahlia hybrida, and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘Dahlgr50’.

The newDahliaplant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Lisse, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program is to create new compact container and gardenDahliaplants with dark-colored leaves, large single-type inflorescences and good postproduction longevity.

The newDahliaplant originated from an open-pollination during the summer of 2012 of a proprietary seedling selection ofDahlia hybridaidentified as code number C 100, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with an unknown selection ofDahlia hybridaas the male, or pollen, parent. The newDahliaplant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated open-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in Lisse, The Netherlands during the summer of 2013.

Asexual reproduction of the newDahliaplant by terminal cuttings since February, 2014 in a controlled greenhouse environment in Lisse, The Netherlands, has shown that the unique features of this newDahliaplant are 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 ‘Dahlgr50’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Dahlgr50’ as a new and distinctDahliaplant:1. Relatively compact, mounding and dense plant habit.2. Freely basal branching habit.3. Dark brown-colored leaves.4. Early and freely flowering habit.5. Single-type inflorescence form.6. Large inflorescences with bright red-colored ray florets.7. Good postproduction longevity and garden performance.

Plants of the newDahliadiffer primarily from plants of the female parent selection in the following characteristics:1. Plants of the newDahliaare more compact than plants of the female parent selection.2. Plants of the newDahliahave larger inflorescences than plants of the female parent selection.3. Plants of the newDahliaare suitable as container and garden plants whereas plants of the female parent selection are suitable as garden plants.

Plants of the newDahliacan be compared to plants of theDahlia hybrida‘HDSC18’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,962. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the newDahliadiffer from plants of ‘HDSC18’ in the following characteristics:1. Plants of the newDahliaare taller and broader than plants of ‘HDSC18’.2. Leaves and leaflets of plants of the newDahliaare more incised than leaves and leaflets of plants of ‘HDSC18’.3. Plants of the newDahliastart flowering about five days later than plants of ‘HDSC18’.4. Plants of the newDahliahave larger inflorescences than plants of ‘HDSC18’.

Plants of the newDahliacan also be compared to plants of theDahlia hybrida‘HS Romeo’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,961. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the newDahliadiffer from plants of ‘HS Romeo’ in the following characteristics:1. Plants of the newDahliaare shorter and narrower than plants of ‘HS Romeo’.2. Leaves and leaflets of plants of the newDahliaare more incised than leaves and leaflets of plants of ‘HS Romeo’.3. Plants of the newDahliastart flowering about five days earlier than plants of ‘HS Romeo’.4. Plants of the newDahliahave larger inflorescences than plants of ‘HS Romeo’.5. Plants of the newDahliaand ‘HS Romeo’ differ in ray floret color as plants of ‘HS Romeo’ have dark red purple-colored ray florets.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The photographs and following observations and measurements describe plants grown during the late summer and early autumn in ground beds in an outdoor nursery in Lisse, The Netherlands and under cultural practices typical of commercialDahliaproduction. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 15° C. to 30° C. and night temperatures ranged from 10° C. to 20° C. Plants were pinched one time about two to three weeks after planting. Plants were three months old when the photographs were taken and four months old when the description was taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 1995 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.Botanical classification:Dahlia hybrida‘Dahlgr50’.Parentage:Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary seedling selection ofDahlia hybridaidentified as code number C 100, not patented.Male, or pollen, parent.—Unknown selection ofDahlia hybrida, not patented.Propagation:Type.—By vegetative cuttings.Time to initiate roots, summer.—About 12 days at soil temperatures about 15° C. and air temperatures ranging from about 15° C. to 25° C.Time to initiate roots, winter.—About 13 to 14 days at soil temperatures about 15° C. and air temperatures ranging from about 15° C. to 25° C.Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About 20 days at soil temperatures about 15° C. and air temperatures ranging from about 20° C. to 25° C.Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About 21 days at soil temperatures about 15° C. and air temperatures ranging from about 20° C. to 25° C.Root description.—Fine, fleshy.Rooting habit.—Moderately freely branching; dense.Tubers.—Length: About 18 cm. Diameter: About 15 cm. Texture: Corky. Color: Typically white to brown in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer type and formulation, substrate temperature and physiological age of roots.Plant description:Plant and growth habit.—Relatively compact and mounding plant habit; suitable as container and garden plants; inverted triangular plant form; freely basal branching with about six primary lateral branches developing per plant each with about four secondary lateral branches; dense and bushy appearance; inflorescences held above the foliar plane on strong peduncles; vigorous growth habit.Plant height, soil level to top of foliar plane.—About 55 cm.Plant height, soil level to top of floral plane.—About 55 cm.Plant diameter or spread.—About 30 cm.Lateral branches.—Length: About 30 cm. Diameter: About 4 mm. Internode length: About 3 cm to 12 cm. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Strength: Strong. Aspect: Erect to outwardly. Color: Close to 146A; distally tinged with close to 200A; at the internodes, slightly tinged with close to 137B.Leaf description:Arrangement.—Opposite, simple or compound with three or five leaflets per leaf.Leaf length, simple leaves.—About 7 cm.Leaf width, simple leaves.—About 8.4 cm.Leaf length, compound leaves with three leaflets.—About 13 cm.Leaf width, compound leaves with three leaflets.—About 2.9 cm.Leaf length, compound leaves with five leaflets.—About 18 cm.Leaf width, compound leaves with five leaflets.—About 2.9 cm.Shape, simple leaves or leaflets.—Ovate.Apex, simple leaves or leaflets.—Acuminate.Base, simple leaves or leaflets.—Attenuate.Margin, simple leaves or leaflets.—Serrate; sinuses medium in depth and divergent.Venation pattern, simple leaves or leaflets.—Pinnate, reticulate.Texture and luster, upper surface, simple leaves or leaflets.—Smooth, glabrous; semi-glossy.Texture and luster, lower surface, simple leaves or leaflets.—Smooth, glabrous; matte.Color.—Developing leaves or leaflets, upper surface: Somewhat darker than 200A. Developing leaves or leaflets, lower surface: Close to 191A. Fully expanded leaves or leaflets, upper surface: Somewhat darker than 200A; venation, close to 187B. Fully expanded leaves or leaflets, lower surface: Close to 191B; venation, close to 187A.Petioles.—Length, simple leaves or leaflets: About 1.8 cm. Diameter, simple leaves or leaflets: About 1.2 mm. Strength: Moderately strong. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces, simple leaves or leaflets: Smooth, glabrous; semi-glossy. Color, simple leaves or leaflets, upper surface: Close to 146A tinged with close to 200B. Color, simple leaves or leaflets, lower surface: Close to 146A.Inflorescence description:Appearance and flowering habit.—Single-type inflorescences with ray and disc florets developing acropetally on a receptacle; inflorescences positioned above and beyond the foliar plane on strong peduncles; inflorescences face upright to outwardly; freely flowering habit with typically more than 50 inflorescences developing per plant during the flowering season.Fragrance.—None detected.Time to flower.—Early flowering habit; plants begin flowering about 65 days after planting; flowering continuous during the late summer and autumn in The Netherlands.Post-production longevity.—Good postproduction longevity; inflorescences maintain good substance for about twelve days on the plant and for about four days as a cut flower; inflorescences persistent.Inflorescence buds.—Height: About 1.6 cm. Diameter: About 1.3 cm. Shape: Oblate to close to globular. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; semi-glossy. Color: Close to 187B.Inflorescence diameter.—Large, about 9.5 cm.Inflorescence depth(height).—About 1.7 cm.Disc diameter.—About 1.5 cm.Receptacle height.—About 7 mm.Receptacle diameter.—About 1.4 cm.Receptacle color.—Close to 144B tinged slightly with close to 187A.Ray florets.—Number of ray florets per inflorescence: About eight arranged in a single whorl. Length: About 3.8 cm. Width: About 2.6 cm. Shape: Ovate, flat. Apex: Obtuse or occasionally mucronulate. Base: Attenuate. Margin: Entire. Aspect: Initially upright to roughly perpendicular to the peduncle. Texture and luster, upper surface: Smooth, glabrous; shiny to velvety. Texture and luster, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: When opening, upper surface: Close to 46A; at the base, slightly lighter than 46A. When opening, lower surface: Close to 46A. Fully opened, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 46A; venation, close to 46A; color does not change with development.Disc florets.—Number of disc florets per inflorescence: About 85 arranged in about 17 whorls. Length: About 7 mm. Diameter: About 0.8 mm. Shape: Tubular; apex dentate, pentafid. Aspect: Mostly upright. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Color: When opening, inner surface: Close to 200A. When opening, outer surface: Close to 21A. Fully opened, inner surface: Close to 23A; venation, close to 23A. Fully opened, outer surface: Close to 21A; venation, close to 177B.Phyllaries.—Quantity per inflorescence: About five arranged in a single whorl. Length: About 1.4 cm. Width: About 5 mm. Shape: Ovate to lanceolate. Apex: Acuminate. Base: Attenuate. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Color, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 200A.Peduncles.—Length, terminal peduncle: About 12 cm. Diameter, terminal peduncle: About 3 mm. Length, third peduncle: About 13 cm. Diameter, third peduncle: About 3 mm. Strength: Strong. Aspect: Mostly erect to 40° from vertical. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; semi-glossy. Color: Close to 200A.Reproductive organs.—Androecium, present on disc florets only: Quantity per disc floret: Five. Filament length: About 4 mm. Filament color: Close to 3A. Anther size: About 4 mm by 0.7 mm. Anther shape: Lanceolate. Anther color: Close to 16A. Pollen amount: Moderate. Pollen color: Close to 20A. Gynoecium, present on disc florets only: Quantity per floret: One. Stigma diameter: About 6 mm. Stigma shape: Lanceolate. Stigma color: Close to 12B. Style length: About 5.4 mm. Style color: Close to 150B. Ovary color: Close to 175A. Seeds: Seed development has not been observed on plants of the newDahliato date.Disease & pest resistance: Plants of the newDahliahave not been shown to be resistant to pathogens and pests common toDahliaplants to date.Garden performance: Plants of the newDahliahave exhibited good tolerance to rain and wind and have been observed to tolerate temperatures from about 0° C. to about 35° C.