Patent Publication Number: US-PP33185-P2

Title: Dianthus ‘DDTRO15-0’

Description:
Latin name of the genus and species:  Dianthus  hybrid. 
     Variety denomination: ‘DDTRO15-0’. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program. The new variety originated as the result of the crossing of the female parent, an unpatented, proprietary  Dianthus  referred to as ‘14-150-001’. and the pollen parent, a different unpatented proprietary  Dianthus  referred to as ‘14-123-001’. The crossing was made during July 2016 at a commercial greenhouse in Santa Paula, Calif. ‘DDTRO15-0’ was discovered and selected at a commercial greenhouse in Santa Paula, Calif., in Summer of 2017. 
     Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘DDTRO15-0’ was first performed in Santa Paula, Calif. at a research greenhouse by vegetative terminal cuttings in April of 2018. ‘DDTRO15-0’ has since produced several generations and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The cultivar ‘DDTRO15-0’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. 
     The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘DDTRO15-0’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘DDTRO15-0’ as a new and distinct  Dianthus  cultivar:
         1. Unique tri-color flowers of red-purple with a brighter red-purple blotch and light pink margins.   2. Day-length neutral flowering.   3. Suitability for both garden and container uses.   4. Extended bloom time into Summer months.   5. Hardy to USDA Zone 5.       

     PARENTAL COMPARISON 
     Plants of the new cultivar ‘DDTRO15-0’ are comparable to the seed parent in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘DDTRO15-0’ differs in the following:
         1. The new variety has flowers with a light pink marginal coloration which the seed parent lacks.       

     Plants of the new cultivar ‘DDTRO15-0’ are comparable to the pollen parent in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘DDTRO15-0’ differs in the following:
         1. The new variety produces red-purple tri-color flowers, the pollen parent produces purple flowers.   2. Plants of the new variety are more compact than plants of the pollen parent.       

     COMMERCIAL COMPARISON 
     Plants of the new cultivar ‘DDTRO15-0’ are comparable to the commercial  Dianthus  variety ‘DDTHP02-0’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,102. The two  Dianthus  varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘DDTRO15-0’ differs in the following:
         1. The new variety produces tri-color flowers while this comparator has solid pink flowers.   2. Foliage of the new variety is brighter green than foliage of this comparator.       

     Plants of the new cultivar ‘DDTRO15-0’ are comparable to the commercial  Dianthus  variety ‘DCACR08-0’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,026. The two  Dianthus  varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘DDTRO15-0’ differs in the following:
         1. The new variety produces tri-color flowers while this comparator has solid dark pink flowers.   2. Foliage of the new variety is brighter green than foliage of this comparator.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS 
       The accompanying photograph in  FIG. 1  illustrates in full color typical plants of ‘DDTRO15-0’ in a greenhouse in Santa Paula, Calif. These plants are approximately 15 weeks old, grown in 6 inch pots. At the far right of  FIG. 1  is another pot of the new variety, this pot is 10 inches with a plant of about 20 weeks of age. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a close-up view of the flowers. 
     
    
    
     The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques. 
     DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Colour Chart, 2007, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘DDTRO15-0’ plants in a commercial greenhouse in Santa Paula, Calif. Temperatures ranged from 10° C. to 29° C. night and day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Natural light conditions were approximately 2500 to 4000 fc of light. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.
     Botanical classification:  Dianthus  hybrid ‘DDTRO15-0’.   

     PROPAGATION 
     
         
         Time to initiate roots: About 10 days at approximately 24° C. 
         Time to produce a rooted cutting: About 18 days at 24 ° C. 
         Root description: Fibrous roots, approximately 1 to 3 mm in diameter, colored near Orange-White 159C. 
       
    
     PLANT 
     
         
         Age of plant described: Approximately 20 weeks from rooted cutting. 
         Pot size: 6 inches. 
         Plant type: Compact upright flowering perennial. 
         Plant habit: Upright growing stems emerge basally. 
         Plant spread: Approximately 32 cm. 
         Height: Approximately 14 cm to top of flowering plane. Approximately 10 cm to top of foliar plane. 
         Length plant stem: Average range 5 to 10 cm. 
         Diameter of plant stem: Approximately 3 mm. 
         Quantity stems: Approximately 40. 
         Stem:
             Color .—Near RHS Green 138A.     Texture .—Smooth.       
     
         Internode length: 1.8 to 3.5 cm. 
       
    
     FOLIAGE 
     
         
         Leaf:
             Arrangement .—Opposite (in pairs).     Quantity .—Approximately 6 fully expanded per stem.     Average length.— 3.5 to 4.1 cm.     Average width.— 6 mm.     Shape of blade .—Linear.     Apex .—Acute.     Base .—Clasping.     Attachment .—Sessile.     Margin .—Entire.     Texture of top surface .—Smooth.     Texture of bottom surface .—Smooth.     Pubescence .—None.     Color .—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137C. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137B.     Venation .—Type: Linear. Venation color upper side: Indistinguishable from foliage. Venation color under side: Indistinguishable from foliage.       
     
       
    
     FLOWER 
     
         
         Natural flowering season: Continuous flowering from Spring until Fall. 
         Inflorescence type and habit: Single occurring or umbel of 2 to 3 flowers. 
         Flower longevity on plant: 2-3 weeks. 
         Quantity of flowers: Approximately 50 to 70 flowers on a 20 week old plant. 
         Flowers persistent or self cleaning: Persistent. 
         Fragrance: Very mild sweet scent. 
         Inflorescence (umbel) size:
             Diameter .—Approximately 7.0 cm.     Height .—Approximately 4.0 cm.       
     
         Individual flower size:
             Diameter .—Approximately 3.8 cm.     Length .—Approximately 3.2 cm.       
     
         Petals
             Petal arrangement .—Multiple whorl.     Shape .—Spatulate.     Base .—Attenuate.     Margin .—Serrated.     Apex .—Serrated.     Length.— 2.0 cm.     Width.— 1.5 cm.     Petal quantity .—Average range 15 to 20.     Texture .—Smooth all surfaces.     Aspect .—Reflexed back.       
     
         Color:
             When opening .—Upper surface: RHS Red-Purple 71D. 2 symmetrical, irregularly circular open(uncolored center) center blotches colored near Red-Purple 59A. Base White 155A. Margin near Red-Purple 69C. Lower surface: RHS Red-Purple N74C. Center Purple 75C, base White 155A.     Fully opened .—Upper surface: RHS Red-Purple 72C. 2 symmetrical, irregularly circular open center blotches colored near Red-Purple 59A. Base White 155A. Margin near Red-Purple 69D. Lower surface: RHS Red-Purple N74D. Center Purple 75D, base White 155A.     Fading .—Upper surface: RHS Red-Purple N74B. 2 symmetrical, irregularly circular open center blotches colored near Red-Purple 59A. Base White 155A. Margin near Red-Purple 69D. Lower surface: RHS Red-Purple N74D. Center Purple 75D, base White 155A.       
     
         Tube:
             General description .—Tube consists of the elongated, unfused base of the petals. Tube shape caused by a fused calyx.     Length.— 1.8 cm.     Width.— 0.8 cm.     Texture .—Smooth.       
     
         Color:
             Fully opened .—Inner surface: Near RHS Green 137B. Outer surface: Near RHS Green 137B.       
     
         Bud:
             Shape .—Elongated cylinder.     Length .—Average 1.7 cm.     Diameter .—Average 0.9 cm.     Color .—Appearing petals colored near Red-Purple 73D.       
     
         Sepals:
             Quantity.— 5.     Arrangement .—Fused tube.     Shape .—Cylindric.     Length.— 1.5 cm.     Width.— 0.5 cm.     Margin .—Entire.     Apex .—Acute.     Texture .—Smooth upper and lower surfaces.     Color .—Near RHS Green 137B.       
     
         Bracteoles:
             Shape .—Narrow Deltoid.     Quantity per flower.— 5-6.     Length .—Approximately 5 to 8 mm.     Width .—Approximately 3 to 4 mm.     Margin .—Entire.     Texture .—Smooth.     Color .—Near RHS Green 137A.       
     
         Peduncle:
             Length .—Average 2.5 cm.     Diameter.— 2.0 mm.     Color .—Near RHS Green 137A.     Orientation .—Upright.     Strength .—Moderate.     Texture .—Smooth.       
     
       
    
     REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 
     
         
         Stamens:
             Number.— 6.     Filament .—Length: 2.0 cm. Color: RHS White N155B.     Anthers .—Shape: Oblong. Length: 2 mm. Color: RHS Greyed-Yellow 160A. Pollen: Not observed.       
     
         Pistil:
             Number.— 1.     Length .—Approximately 3.2 cm.     Style .—Number: 2. Length: Approximately 2.4 cm. Color: Near RHS White N155B.     Stigma .—Length: about 0.5 mm. Shape: Linear, arching. Color: Near RHS White N155B.     Ovary .—Shape: Oblong. Diameter: 0.5 cm. Length: 0.8 cm. Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green N144D.       
     
       
    
     OTHER CHARACTERISTICS 
     
         
         Seeds and fruits: Not observed to date. 
         Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to the normal diseases and pests of  Dianthus  has been observed. Typical diseases of  Dianthus  include:  Alternaria dianthicola, Botrytis cinerea, Erwinia chrysanthemi, Pseudomonas caryophylli, Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium avenaceum, Fusarium culmorum  and  Rhizoctonia solani , Typical pests include; various species of  Thysanopthera , various  Aphis  species, and various species of  Tetranychus.    
         Temperature tolerance: USDA zones 5 through 10 tolerant.