Patent Publication Number: US-PP35182-P2

Title: Dianthus plant named ‘KLEDG22634’

Description:
Genus and species:  Dianthus caryophyllus  L. 
     Variety denomination: ‘KLEDG22634’. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT 
     The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of  Dianthus , botanically known as  Dianthus caryophyllus  L., and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘KLEDG22634’. ‘KLEDG22634’ originated from a naturally-occurring, whole plant mutation from the  Dianthus  parent ‘KLEDG12163’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,707) in a greenhouse in May 2018 in Stuttgart, Germany. 
     In August 2018, ‘KLEDG22634’ was first vegetatively propagated by vegetative stem cuttings in Stuttgart, Germany. ‘KLEDG22634’ was found to reproduce true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation in Stuttgart, Germany via vegetative cuttings. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of ‘KLEDG22634’ when grown under normal horticultural practices in Stuttgart, Germany.
         1. Semi-double pink flowers with purple centers; and   2. An upright habit.       

    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH 
       This new  Dianthus  plant is illustrated by the accompanying photograph of a 30-week-old plant taken in September 2021 and grown outdoors in Stuttgart, Germany. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photograph is a whole plant photo of ‘KLEDG22634’ and shows the foliage, buds, and flowers. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘KLEDG22634’. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Stuttgart, Germany. Data was collected in May 2019 from plants that were 7-months-old and grown in a plastic greenhouse. Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), 5 th  edition (2007).
     Classification:
             Family .—Caryophyllaceae.     Botanical.—Dianthus caryophyllus  L.     Designation .—‘KLEDG22634’.     Type .—Pot carnation.       
       Parentage: Naturally-occurring, whole plant mutation of  Dianthus  parent ‘KLEDG12163’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,707).   Plant:
             Propagation type .—Vegetative stem cuttings, terminal cuttings.     Time to produce a rooted young plant.— 10 to 14 days.     Root description .—Fine; young roots are RHS 161D (Greyed-Yellow) and mature roots are RHS 199C (Grey-Brown).     Rooting habit shape .—Lanceolate.     Plant form .—Upright.     Plant height.— 15.0 cm to 17.0 cm.     Plant diameter or spread.— 22.0 cm to 25.0 cm.     Hardiness .—Winter-hardy (tested under conditions in Germany, up to −10° C.).       
       Lateral branches/stems:
             Shape of the branch in cross - section .—Slightly angular.     Hollowness of the branch .—Absent.     Length.— 7.0 cm to 10.0 cm.     Diameter.— 4.0 cm to 7.0 cm.     Internode length.— 2.0 cm to 3.0 cm.     Node length.— 0.2 cm to 0.4 cm.     Node diameter.— 0.2 cm to 0.4 cm.     Texture .—Smooth.     Color .—RHS 146B (Yellow-Green).       
       Foliage:
             Arrangement .—Opposite.     Length.— 4.0 cm to 5.0 cm.     Width.— 0.3 cm to 0.5 cm.     Shape .—Lanceolate.     Apex .—Acute.     Base .—Obtuse.     Margin .—Entire.     Texture  ( both upper and lower surfaces ).—Smooth.     Cross - section of the leaf .—Moderately concave.     Curvature of the leaf .—Weakly recurved.     Glaucosity of the leaf .—Weak.     Leaf color, immature, both surfaces .—RHS 138A (Green).     Leaf color, mature, both surfaces .—RHS 137A (Green).     Venation pattern .—Absent.       
       Flowers:
             Flower type .—Semi-double.     Fragrance .—Present.     Position of the flowers compared to the foliage of the plant .—Moderately above.     Natural flowering season .—Spring to Autumn.     Flower longevity on the plant.— 14 to 18 days.       
       Buds:
             Length.— 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm.     Diameter.— 0.3 cm to 0.4 cm.     Shape .—Elliptic.     Color .—RHS 138A (Green).       
       Corolla:
             Quantity of petals and arrangement.— 7 to 13 and arranged in several whorls.     Corolla height.— 0.8 cm to 1.5 cm.     Petal length.— 1.8 cm to 2.5 cm.     Petal width.— 1.0 cm to 1.5 cm.     Petal shape .—Spoon-shaped.     Petal apex .—Obtuse.     Petal base .—Acute.     Petal margin .—Serrated.     Petal texture  ( both upper and lower surfaces ).—Smooth.     Petal color .—Immature: Upper surface: RHS 68B (Red-Purple) with RHS N79C (Purple). Mature: Upper surface: RHS 68B (Red-Purple) with RHS N79C (Purple).     Calyx .—Quantity of sepals: Composed of 5 sepals. Calyx height: 0.8 cm to 1.5 cm. Calyx diameter (at the apex): 0.4 cm to 0.6 cm. Sepal texture (both upper and lower surfaces): Smooth. Sepal color: Upper surface: RHS 137A (Green). Lower surface: RHS 137D (Green).       
       Peduncles:
             Length.— 5.0 cm to 8.0 cm.     Diameter.— 0.2 cm.     Strength .—Moderate.     Texture .—Smooth.     Color .—RHS 146B (Yellow-Green).       
       Reproductive organs:
             Stamens .—Quantity per flower: Moderate. Filament length: 0.5 cm to 0.8 cm. Anther length: 0.1 cm. Anther diameter: 0.05 cm. Anther color: RHS 155B (White).     Pistils .—Not observed.       
       Fruit and seed set: Observed but no information is available.   Disease and pest/insect resistance: No disease and pest/insect resistance observed.   

     COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINE AND KNOWN VARIETY 
     ‘KLEDG22634’ is distinguished from the parental line as described in Table 1. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Comparison with Parental Line 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                 Mutation Parent 
               
               
                 Characteristic 
                 ‘KLEDG22634’ 
                 ‘KLEDG12163’ 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Petal color, upper  
                 RHS 68B 
                 RHS N79B and RHS N74D 
               
               
                 surface 
                 (Red-Purple) 
                   
               
               
                   
                 with RHS N79C 
                   
               
               
                   
                 (Purple) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     ‘KLEDG22634’ can be compared to the commercial  Dianthus  variety ‘KLEDG18305’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 31,019). Differences between the varieties are described in Table 2. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Comparison with Similar Variety 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 Characteristic 
                 ‘KLEDG22634’ 
                 ‘KLEDG18305’ 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Flower type 
                 Semi-double 
                 Single 
               
               
                 Petal color, 
                 RHS 68B 
                 RHS 49A (Red); in the summer, 
               
               
                 upper surface 
                 (Red-Purple) with  
                 has red ring of RHS 42A (Red) 
               
               
                   
                 RHS N79C (Purple)