Geranium plant named `Miro`

A new and distinct cultivar of geranium known by the cultivar name `Miro` is characterized by a salmon flower color, a semi-double flower form, dark foliage, medium zonation and a compact habit.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT 
The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of geranium 
botanically known as Pelargonium zonale, and hereinafter referred to by 
the cultivar name `Miro`. 
`Miro` is a product of planned breeding program which had the objective of 
creating new geranium cultivars with salmon flower color, semi-double 
flower form, dark foliage, early flower response. 
`Miro` was originiated from a hybridization made in a controlled breeding 
program in Hagenbach, Germany, in 1991. The female parent was `Hagenbacher 
Lachs`, characterized by its salmon-pink flower color, semi-double flower 
form and medium green foliage. The male parent of `Miro` was 
`Hoennefruhling`, characterized by its light salmon-pink flower color, 
single flower form, strong zonation and very early flower response. 
Neither of the parent plants is patented or presently available on a 
commercial basis. Its semi-double flower distinguishes `Miro` from 
`Hoennefruhling` and its dark foliage distinguishes `Miro` from the medium 
green foliage of `Hagenbacher Lachs`. 
`Miro` was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within the 
progeny of the stated cross by the inventors in September 1992 in a 
controlled environment in Hagenbach, Germany. 
BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT 
The first act of asexual reproduction of miro was accomplished when 
vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in January 1993 
in a controlled environment in Hagenbach, Germany, by a technician working 
under formulations established and supervised by Gerd Endisch. 
Horticultural examination of selected units initiated in May 1983 had 
demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed 
for `Miro` are firmly fixed and are retained through successive 
generations of asexual reproduction. 
`Miro` 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 comparisons describe plants grown in 
Hagenbach, Germany, under field conditions which approximate those 
generally used in commercial practice. The dimensions and measurements 
given below are approximate. 
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be 
basic characteristics of `Miro` to distinguish this geranium as a new and 
distinct cultivar: 
1. salmon flower color 
2. semi-double flower form 
3. dark Foliage 
4. medium zonation 
5. compact habit 
Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most 
similar in comparison to `Miro` is `Unica.`. Reference is made to Chart A 
below which compares certain characteristics of `Micro` to those same 
characteristics of `Unica`. In comparison to `Unica`, `Miro` exhibits leaf 
zonation, earlier flowers response and better salmon color.