Spray carnation named Stagigi

A new spray carnation variety particularly distinguished by its profuse production of small flowers the petals of which are white at the base and purple to the outer edge the flowers being carried on strong, upright stems and arranged in a cluster drawing from the upper end of the main stem of medium height; the plant itself being a vigorous, fast growing bush of medium height with a moderate amount of foliage.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT 
This new spray carnation cultivar originated as a hybrid seedling developed 
by me at our nursery in Aalsmeer, Holland, by crossing two carnation 
varieties, Dianthus superbus and Dianthus superbus (both unpatented) 
selected from my collection of carnation varieties maintained at our 
Aalsmeer nursery for breeding purposes. The female parent of Stagigi is a 
unnamed Dianthus superbus cultivar, and is characterized by a widely 
branched spray and white flowers with deep incisions. The male parent is a 
unnamed Dianthus barbatus cultivar, and is characterized by a more compact 
spray and small white flowers with straight margins. The cultivar Stagigi 
is a true hybrid between the two botanical species. This seedling was 
selected for propagation because of its very unusual flower coloring and 
its sturdy, fast growing growth habit. Under my direction, propagation was 
done by means of cuttings. The initial success of the propagation was 
continued through several successive generations which proved that the new 
variety retained all of the distinguishing characteristics of the original 
parent seedling and that these characteristics hold true from generation 
to generation and appear to be firmly fixed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT 
The following is a detailed description of my new carnation plant based 
upon observation of plants grown in greenhouses at Aalsmeer, Holland with 
color designations according to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal 
Horticultural Society of London, England. 
THE PLANT 
Origin: Seedling. 
Parentage: 
Seed parent.--Dianthus superbus (unpatented). 
Pollen parent.--Dianthus barbatus (unpatented). 
Classification: 
Botanic.--Dianthus Hybrid. 
Commercial.--Spray carnation. 
Form: Strong erect bush having at least four stems emitted near the ground. 
Height: About 60 cm. 
Cane length: About 60 cm. depending on season. 
Branching character: The main stem has 2-4 side branches each. The side 
branches have 1-2 side branches each. 
Growth: Vigorous, upright with moderate strength producing flowers within 
three to four months from planting. 
Foliage: 
Quantity.--Moderate. 
Number of leaves.--16-20. 
Size of leaf.--About 11 cm. long and 3 cm. wide. 
Shape.--Oval. 
Texture.--Leathery. 
Color.--Upper side -- RHS 137A. Under side -- RHS 137C. 
Ribs and veins.--Hardly noticeable. 
Rachis.--Hardly noticeable. 
THE BUD 
Size: 
Diameter.--Between approximately 0.4 and 0.5 cm. 
Length.--Between approximately 2 and 2.5 cm. 
Form: Cylindrical. 
Rate of opening: Normal. 
Color: 
When sepals first divide.--74-B. 
When petals begin to unfurl.--74-B. 
Sepals: 
Number.--Usually 5. 
Character.--The sepals are hooded over the bud before dividing and stand up 
as the flower petals unfurl. The sepals are joined together at the lower 
part and are sharply pointed at the apex. 
Calyx: 
Shape.--Cylindrical. 
Size.--About 0.5 cm. broad and 2.5 cm. long. 
Aspect.--Smooth. 
Splitting.--None color: RHS 139C. 
Flower stem: 
Length.--About 60 cm. 
Character.--Erect. 
Color.--Dark green. 
THE FLOWER 
Blooming habit: Recurrent and profuse. 
Flower size: Small. 
Diameter.--About 2.5 to 3 cm. 
Depth.--About 0.5 cm. 
Borne: In a tightly grouped cluster. 
Shape: 
When bloom first opens.--Flat. 
When bloom matures.--Flat. Number of flowers per main flower stem: 10-16. 
Petalage: 
Number of petals.--5. 
Arrangement.--Imbricated. 
Form.--Fan-shaped with deeply serrated edges. 
Texture.--Soft. 
Appearance.--Velvety. 
Color.--Outer petal -- 74-B. Base -- 77-D. Reverse side -- 75-A. Central 
Mottled Portion: The color of the central "mottled" portion of the petal 
is RHS 74-A and in this part there are 30-50 small spots with the color 
RHS 73-A. 
Fragrance: Slight. 
Discoloration after full bloom: Slight. 
Persistance: The petals hang on and dry. 
Disease resistance: Good resistance to Fusarium oxysporum as observed at 
the Horticultural Experimental Station of Aalsmeer, Holland. 
Lasting Quality: 
On plant.--About 21 days. 
As a cut flower.--About 15 days. 
THE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 
Stamens: 
Number.--Approximately 10. 
Anthers.--Size: Approximately 2 mm. Color: Pink. 
Filaments.--Length: About 2.5 cm. Color: White. 
Pistils: 
Number.--1. 
Styles.--Length: Approximately between 2 and 2.5 cm. Color: White. 
Stigmas.--Color: Purple.