Variety of Geranium named Grace

A new Geranium cultivar is distinguished by its lateral and procumbent mound and cascading growth habit, compactness, the presence of zoning, the pale pink inflorescence, the use of either hanging basket or ground bed, its heat tolerance, and a much better cutting producer.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT 
The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Pelargonium 
known by the varietal name Grace (Oglevee No. 1316, Bodger No. 6GM 129-7). 
The new variety was discovered in a selective breeding program to develop 
hybrid varieties for vegetative propagation by Mr. Douglas Holden and is a 
selection of a cross between the seed parent Salmon Floral Cascade and the 
pollen parent Pinto Red. 
Salmon Floral Cascade is a commercially available vegetatively propagated 
cutting variety from Australia and which includes strains of Pelargonium 
frutetorum and Pelargonium peltatum. Pinto is a commercially available 
salmon single flower zonal (Pelargonium.times.hortorum) F.sub.1 hybrid 
seed geranium. 
The new cultivar was discovered in August of 1986 at Bodger Seeds, Ltd. in 
El Monte, Calif., was first asexually reproduced by cuttings by Bodger 
Seeds, Ltd. at El Monte, Calif. 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 has a different color (pale-pink) and larger flowers than 
the closest comparative variety, Salmon Floral Cascade. 
The new cultivar, when grown in a glass greenhouse in Connellsville, Pa., 
using full light, 60.degree. F. night temperature, 68.degree. F. day 
temperature, 71.degree. F. vent temperature, and grown in a soilless media 
of constant fertilizer of 200-250 parts per million nitrogen and 
potassium, has a response time from a rooted cutting to a flowering plant 
in a four inch (10 cm) pot of six weeks.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT 
The following detailed description set forth the characteristics of the new 
cultivar. The data which define these characteristics were collected from 
asexual reproductions carried out by Oglevee Ltd. in Connellsville, 
Pennsylvania. The plant histories were taken on rooted cuttings potted on 
Aug. 1, 1988 and flowered Sept. 15, 1988. The plants were blossomed under 
full light in a greenhouse and color readings were taken indoors under 
200-220 foot candles of cool white fluorescent light. Color references are 
primarily to the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of 
London. 
THE PLANT 
Classification: 
Botanical.--Hybrid species. 
Form: Semi-dwarf; compact, free basal branching, lateraland cascading 
growth habit. 
Height: 16-17 cm from the media surface. 
Growth: Free basal branching, lateral and procumbent habit. 
Foliage: Zoning present, stalked leaf attachment. 
Leaves: 
Size.--4-8 cm across. 
Shape.--Reniform, cordate base. 
Margin.--Crenate. 
Texture.--Pubescent; dull (not reflective). 
Color.--Top: Outer margin: Green group 137B. Zone: Green groujp 139A. Inner 
margin: Green group 137C. Bottom: Yellow-green group 147B. 
Ribs and veins.--Palmate venatioln; Yellow-green group 147C. 
Petioles: 5-9 cm in length; Yellow-Green group 146C. 
Stem: 
Color.--Yellow-green group 146C. 
Internodes.--1-2 cm in length. 
THE BUD 
Shape: Upright;hemispherical cluster. 
Size: 1-1.5 cm across. 
INFLORESCENCE 
Blooming habit: Continuous; upright; very floriferous. 
Size: 7-8 cm across. 
Borne: 3-7 cm above foliage; florets on pedicel; pedicel on peduncle. 
Florets: 
Form.--Flat to slightly cupped. 
Color.--Outer petals shade from White group 155A to Red group 56B; Inner 
petals Red Purple group 62C. 
Petals.--10-12 in number; separate not united; margin entire obovate; 
smooth; flat to slightly cupped. 
Floret size.--1-1.5 cm across. 
Texture and appearance.--Smooth; multishades from white to pink. 
Petaloids: 
Quantity.--3-7. 
Shape.--Narrow, elongated, twisted. 
Color.--Red-purple group 62D. 
Pedicel: 2-3 cm in length; Red-purple group 60A. 
Peduncle: Arises from the node, opposite leaf petiole; 12-16.5 cm in 
length. 
Color.--Yellow-green group 146B. 
Disease resistance: None known. 
REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 
Stamens: 
Anthers.--2 mm in length. 
Filaments.--6-8 mm in length; white at bottom to light pink at top. 
Pollen.--Golden brown. 
Pistils: 
Number.--1 with 6 part stigma. 
Length.--5 mm. 
Stigma.--1; 6 parted at maturity; Red-purple group. 
Style.--4-5 mm; white to pale pink. 
Ovaries: 3-4 mm in length; 1-2 mm across; very pubescent, pale green; 
superior. 
Fruit: Occasional fruit noted; pale green in color. 
This unique variety adds a new dimension to the geranium family. The plant 
exhibits a neat mound habit that may be used in either hanging baskets or 
the traditional ground bed. The dark zone compliments the medium green 
foliage creating an eye catching novelty in the garden. Many small flower 
clusters create a large continuous bouquet of very pale pink color. In 
comparing this new variety with the current IVY varieties now on the 
market, it is more floriferous; a much fuller growth habit; better heat 
tolerance; and a much better cutting producer.