Variety of Geranium plant named `Peaches`

The cultivar is characterized by the distinctive clear salmon color of the bloom over medium green foliage. Its quick rooting time and continuous flowering provides for superb cuttings and for quick recovery of the bloom following wet weather conditions. The blooms are heat tolerant, and an abundant amount of cuttings may be obtained from a single plant.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT 
The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of 
Pelargonium.times.hortorum known by the varietal name Peaches (Oglevee No. 
1339, Bodger No. 1GM 172-10). The new variety was discovered in a seletive 
breeding program by David Lemon at Bodger Seeds, Ltd., Lompoc, Calif. The 
new variety is a selection from the crossing of Schone Helena (U.S. Plant 
Pat. No. 5,374) which is a salmon rose color having a semi-doubled flower 
crossed with Eclipse Light Salmon (unpatented) which can be distinguished 
from the claimed cultivar by its light salmon color and dark green leaves. 
The new cultivar was first asexually reproduced by cuttings at Oglevee 
Ltd., Connellsville, Pa. , and has been repeatedly asexually reproduced by 
cuttings at Oglevee Ltd. in Connellsville, Pa. It has been found to retain 
its distinctive characteristics through successive propagations. 
The new cultivar, when grown in a glass greenhouse in Connellsville, Pa., 
using full light, 60.degree. Fahrenheit night temperature, 68.degree. 
Fahrenheit day temperature, 72.degree. Fahrenheit vent temperature and 
grown in a soilless media of constant fertilizer 200-250 parts per million 
of nitrogen and potassium has a response time of six weeks from the rooted 
cutting to a flowering plant in a 10.0 cm pot.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT 
The following detailed description sets forth characteristics of the new 
cultivar. The data which defines each characteristic was collected form 
asexual reproduction carried out by Oglevee Ltd. in Connellsville, Pa. The 
plant histories were taken on rooted cuttings believed to have been potted 
on approximately Feb. 18, 1995 and flowering on approximately Apr. 1, 1995 
under full light and greenhouse, and colorings were taken indoors under 
200-220 foot candles of fluorescent cool white light using The R.H.S. 
Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London. 
The Plant 
Classification: 
Botanical.--Pelargonium.times.hortorum. 
Form: Semi-dwarf mound. 
Height.--17.0-19.0 cm above the media surface. 
Growth.--Free and easy flowering; free basal branching. 
Strength.--Free standing. Foliage: Stalked leaf attachment; no prominent 
zone present although some zoning having a similar hue to the rest of the 
leaf may occur, it is not readily apparent. 
Leaves: 
Size.--8.5-11.0 cm across; fully expanded leaf. 
Shape.--Reinform; cordare base. 
Margin.--Crenate. 
Texture.--Pubescent; slightly reflective. 
Color.--Top: Green group 137B; Zone: Not present. Bottom: Green group 137D. 
Ribs and veins.--Palmate venation: Color: Yellow/green group 146C. 
Petioles: 
Length.--6.0-7.5 cm. 
Color.--Yellow/green group 146C. 
Stem: 
Color.--Yellow/green group 146C. 
Internodes.--1.5-3.0 cm in length. 
The Bud 
Shape: Upright; hemispherical cluster. 
Size: 2.5-3.5 cm across. 
Inflorescence 
Blooming habit: Semi-double; continuous blooming; slow to shatter. 
Size: 8.5-10.0 cm across; fully open bloom. 
Borne: Umbel; florets on pedicel; pedicel on peduncle; 6.0-10.0 cm above 
foliage. 
Florets: 
Closed.--Bud size: 1.0-1.5 cm in length, 0.6-0.8 cm in width; elliptical. 
Open.--Form--Flat to slightly cupped; petaloids present; 22 florets per 
inflorescense. Color--Top: Red Group 38B; Bottom: Red Group 38C; Eye: not 
present. Petals--8-12 in number; single, not united; margin entire; 
obovate; smooth; flat to slightly cupped. Size--3.0-4.0 cm across when 
fully open. Texture and appearance.--Smooth and satiny. Appearance from a 
distance is a rich medium salmon peach bloom above medium green foliage. 
Petaloids: 
Quantity.--1-5 in number. 
Shape.--Flat, twisted; some with pollen attached (the structure may not 
change completely to a full petaloid form and may retain some anther 
characteristics). 
Color.--Top: Red Group 38C; Bottom: Red Group 38D. 
Pedicel: 
Length.--2.5-3.5 cm. 
Color.--Yellow-green group 146C. 
Peduncle: Arises from the node opposite the leaf petiole. 
Length.--14.5-16.5 cm in length. 
Color.--Yellow-green group 146C. 
Persistence: 
Disease resistance.--Not known. 
Lasting quality.--Slow to shatter. 
Reproductive organs 
Stamens: 
Anthers.--2.0-3.0 mm in length. 
Filaments.--7.0-9.0 mm in length; white. 
Pollen.--Golden brown. 
Pistils: 
Number.--One. 
Length.--7.0-8.0 mm. 
Stigma.--5-6 parted; Color: red-purple group 60C. 
Style.--3.0-4.0 mm in length; Color: Red-purple group 60C. 
Ovaries: Pubescent; light green in color; 4.0-5.0 mm in length. 
Fruit: None. 
General Characteristics 
Peaches presents an attractive new color to the Geranium market. The pure 
salmon peach color of the bloom above medium green foliage creates a 
distinctive, eye catching appearance. Peaches provides an abundant amount 
of cuttings which are quick to root. Finishing this variety as a pot plant 
can be done very quickly and economically with many plants fitting on one 
bench without sacrificing outdoor performance. Peaches is extremely heat 
tolerant and is quick to recover after wet weather with a speedy 
replacement of bloom. Given all these positive properties, this variety 
should please both the grower and the gardener.