Patent Publication Number: US-PP21753-P2

Title: New Guinea Impatiens plant named ‘SAKIMP017’

Description:
Genus and species:  Impatiens×hybrida.    
     Variety denomination: ‘SAKIMP017’. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT 
     The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of New Guinea  Impatiens , botanically known as  Impatiens×hybrida , and referred to by the variety name ‘SAKIMP017’. ‘SAKIMP017’ originated from an interspecific hybridization between the female  Impatiens  plant ‘NC-177 ’, an unpatented proprietary  Impatiens  breeding line with a bright orange flower color and compact plant growth habit, and the male  Impatiens  plant, ‘NC-229B’, an unpatented proprietary  Impatiens  breeding line with a magenta flower color and vigorous plant growth habit, in Misato, Japan. 
     In January 2003, the female parent line ‘NC-177 ’ and male parent line ‘NC-229B’ were crossed and a population of F 1  plants was created. The new variety was first propagated via vegetative cuttings in Salinas, Calif. and has been asexually reproduced repeatedly by vegetative cuttings. The F 1  plants were evaluated in Misato, Japan in an open field trial. The criteria for plant selection included a beautiful deep rose flower color, strong root system and compact plant growth habit. At the completion of the trial, one single-plant selection was made based on the above criteria and vegetatively propagated. From May to August 2006, the selection was evaluated in an open field in Misato, Japan. Shoot-tip cuttings of the variety were then shipped to Salinas, Calif., where the plants were regenerated and reevaluated for stability of traits. The selection subsequently was named ‘SAKIMP017’ and found to have its unique characteristics reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Salinas, Calif.
         1. Deep rose flowers;   2. Compact growth habit; and   3. Strong root system.       

    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS 
       This new  Impatiens  plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms, buds, and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of plants that are 4 months from propagation by terminal cutting in Salinas, Calif., under greenhouse conditions. 
         FIG. 1  shows overall plant habit including blooms, buds and foliage. 
         FIG. 2  shows the mature inflorescence. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR 
     The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘SAKIMP017’. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Salinas, Calif. The plant history was taken on plants grown for about 3.5 months from propagation by terminal cuttings under greenhouse conditions. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), 4 th  edition (2001). Anatomic labels are from  The Cambridge Illustrated Glossary of Botanical Terms , by M. Hickey and C. King, Cambridge University Press. 
     DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION 
     
         
         Classification:
             Family.— Balsaminaceae.     Botanical.—Impatiens× hybrid var. ‘SAKIMP017’.     Common name.—Impatiens.          
     
         Parentage:
             Female parent.— ‘NC-177 ’, an unpatented proprietary bright orange-flowered  Impatiens  plant.     Male parent.— ‘NC-229B’, an unpatented proprietary magenta-flowered Impatiens plant.       
     
         Growth:
             Time to produce a rooted cutting.— The terminal 1.0 to 1.5 inches of an actively growing stem was excised. The vegetative cuttings were propagated in five to six weeks. The base of each cutting was dipped for 1 to 2 seconds in a 1:9 solution of Dip &#39;N Grow (1 solution: 9 water) root inducing solution immediately prior to sticking into the cell trays. Cuttings were stuck into plastic cell trays having 98 cells, and containing a moistened peat moss-based growing medium. The cuttings were misted with water from overhead for 10 seconds every 30 minutes until sufficient roots were formed.     Environmental conditions for plant growth.— Rooted cuttings were transplanted and grown in 6-inch plastic pots in a glass greenhouse located in Salinas, Calif. Pots contained a peat moss-based growing medium. Soluble fertilizer containing 20% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus and 20% potassium was applied once a day or every other day by overhead irrigation. Plants were fertilized every 2-3 days, 2 times in consecutive applications and then given one clear water application. Pots were top-dressed with a dry, slow release fertilizer containing 14% nitrogen, 14% phosphorus and 14% potassium. The typical average air temperature was 24° C.       
     
         Plant description:
             Habit.— Compact.     Life cycle.— Tender perennial.     Height.— 19.0 cm to 20.0 cm from soil line to top of foliage.     Spread.— 37.0 cm to 38.0 cm.     Time to produce a rooted cutting.— About 4 weeks.     Time to bloom from propagation.— 6 to 8 weeks.     Flowering requirements.— Will flower so long as temperature is above 5° C.     Temperature tolerance.— Plants have been observed to continuously flower at a temperature range of 5° C. to 36° C.; plants can withstand high heat and humidity.       
     
         Branches:
             Number.— 3 main branches.     Length.— Approximately 2.0 cm from soil line to first node; approximately 2.0 cm from first node to second node; approximately 10.0 cm to 12.0 cm total.     Diameter  ( main branch ).—0.5 cm to 0.6 cm.     Color.— RHS 187B (Greyed-Purple).       
     
         Stems:
             Length.— 8.0 cm to 9.0 cm.     Diameter.— 0.4 cm.     Internode length.— 5.0 cm.     Color.— Closest to RHS 187B (Greyed-Purple).     Stem description.— Strong; circular cross-section, smooth and shiny.     Texture.— Glabrous.     Anthocyanin color.— Absent.       
     
         Leaves:
             Arrangement.— Whorled with up to 5 leaves per node, opposite if only two leaves at one node.     Length.— 8.0 cm.     Width.— 3.5 cm.     Shape.— Lanceolate, curled.     Margin.— Ciliate.     Apex.— Acuminate.     Base.— Attenuate.     Texture.— Dull; waxy.     Color.— Upper surface: Closest to RHS N189A (Greyed-Green). Lower surface: RHS 189A (Greyed-Green) with RHS 187C (Greyed-Purple) blotches and veins.     Fragrance.— Absent.     Pubescence.— Glabrous.     Variegation.— Absent.     Venation.— Pinnate.     Venation color.— Upper surface: RHS 187D (Greyed-Purple). Lower surface: RHS 187C (Greyed-purple).     Petioles.— Length: 0.6 cm. Diameter: 0.2 cm. Color: RHS 187D (Greyed-Purple). Texture: Smooth, glabrous.       
     
         Flower buds:
             Shape.— Deltoid, longitudinal cross-section.     Length.— 2.2 cm.     Diameter.— 1.5 cm.     Color.— RHS 58B (Red-Purple).     Texture.— Glabrous.       
     
         Inflorescence:
             Blooming habit.— Will flower as long as the temperature is above 5° C.     Inflorescence type.— Single flower with spur.     Number of flowers per node.— 1 to 3 in bloom; about 4 to 6 flower buds per node.     Number of flowers per plant.— Approximately 65 in bloom.     Lastingness of individual blooms on the plant.— 14 days.     Fragrance.— Absent.       
     
         Peduncles:
             Length.— 4.0 cm.     Diameter.— 0.20 cm.     Color.— RHS 59D (Red-Purple).     Texture.— Smooth, glabrous.       
     
         Corolla:
             Shape.— Roughly circular with 5 radial petals.     Diameter.— Approximately 5.0 cm.     Depth.— 0.2 cm.       
     
         Petals:
             Shape.— Obcordate.     Length.— 3.5 cm.     Width.— 3.0 cm.     Apex.— Emarginate (cleaved).     Base.— Attenuate.     Margin.— Entire.     Texture.— Glabrous.     Color.— Upper surface: RHS 58B (Red-Purple). Lower surface: RHS 58C (Red-Purple). Eye zone: RHS 61A (Red-Purple).       
     
         Spur:
             Shape.— Tubular and curved downward.     Color.— RHS 59D (Red-Purple).     Length.— 5.5 cm.     Diameter.— 0.1 cm.       
     
         Sepals:
             Shape.— Lanceolate.     Number.— Two.     Color.— RHS 58D (Red-Purple).     Length.— 1.5 cm.     Diameter.— 0.5 cm.     Apex.— Caudate.     Base.— Subcordate.     Margin.— Entire.     Texture.— Glabrous.       
     
         Reproductive organs:
             Stamens.— Form: Fused; split into 4 lobes. Number: Many. Filament length: 0.4 cm. Filament color: RHS 58B (Red-Purple). Anther length: 0.4 cm. Anther color: RHS 155A (White). Pollen amount: Abundant. Pollen color: RHS 155D (White). Pollen description: Powdery.     Pistil.— Number: 5. Stigma color: RHS 147A (Yellow-Green). Style color: RHS 147A (Yellow-Green). Style length: 0.5 cm.     Ovary arrangement.— Parietal.     Ovary surface color.— RHS 147A (Yellow-Green).       
     
         Fruit and seed set: No seed set observed. 
         Disease and insect resistance: No particular resistance or susceptibility has been observed. 
       
    
     COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS 
     ‘SAKIMP017’ is similar to the female parent ‘NC-177 ’ and the male parent ‘NC-229B’, however, there are differences as listed in Table 1: 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Comparison of Characteristics between ‘SAKIMP017’ 
               
               
                 and parental cultivars 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                 Male Parent 
                 Female Parent 
               
               
                 Characteristic 
                 ‘SAKIMP017’ 
                 ‘NC-229B’ 
                 ‘NC-177{circle around (1)}’ 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Flower color 
                 Deep Rose 
                 Magenta 
                 Bright Orange 
               
               
                 Plant growth habit 
                 Compact 
                 Vigorous 
                 Compact 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     ‘SAKIMP017’ is similar to the commercial  Impatiens  variety ‘SAKIMP009’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,622); however, there are differences as listed in Table 2: 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Comparison of Characteristics between ‘SAKIMP017’ 
               
               
                 and ‘SAKIMP009’ 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Characteristic 
                 ‘SAKIMP017’ 
                 ‘SAKIMP009’ 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Growth habit 
                 Compact 
                 Compact 
               
               
                   
                 Petal color, upper 
                 RHS 58B (Red-Purple) 
                 RHS 52C (Red) 
               
               
                   
                 surface 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Spur color 
                 RHS 59D (Red-Purple) 
                 RHS 52B (Red)