Patent Publication Number: US-PP20973-P2

Title: Petunia plant named ‘DANRAY5’

Description:
Latin name of the genus and species of the claimed plant:  Petunia sensu Wijsman.    
   Variety denomination: ‘DANRAY5’. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of  Petunia  plant, botanically known as  Petunia sensu Wijsman,  hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘DANRAY5’. 
   The new  Petunia  cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Gabriel Danziger, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The objective of the breeding program is to develop a new  Petunia  variety with a mounded plant habit and large inflorescence with unique coloration. 
   The new  Petunia  cultivar originated from a cross-made in a controlled breeding program by the inventor, Gabriel Danziger, in 2006, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The female or seed parent is  Petunia sensu Wijsman  ‘PE-1705’ (unpatented), and the male or pollen parent is  Petunia sensu Wijsman  ‘PE-99’ (unpatented). The new  Petunia  cultivar ‘DANRAY5’ was discovered and selected by the inventor, Gabriel Danziger, as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. 
   Asexual reproduction of the new  Petunia  cultivar by vegetative cuttings used in propagation was first performed in April of 2007 in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true-to-type. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘DANRAY5’ which in combination distinguish this  Petunia  as a new and distinct cultivar:
         1. mounded growth habit;   2. large in size, red-colored flowers;   3. high rate floriferous;   4. early to bloom with long bloom period; and   5. suitable for patios and outdoor beddings.       

   Plants of the new  Petunia  ‘DANRAY5’ differ from plants of the parents,  Petunia sensu Wijsman  ‘PE-1705’ (unpatented) and  Petunia sensu Wijsman  ‘PE-99’ (unpatented) in the characteristics described in Table 1. 
   
     
       
         
             
             
             
             
           
             
               TABLE 1 
             
             
                 
             
             
                 
                 
               Female Parent 
               Male Parent 
             
             
                 
               New Cultivar 
               ‘PE-1’ 
               ‘PE-99’ 
             
             
               Characteristic 
               ‘DANRAY5’ 
               (unpatented) 
               (unpatented) 
             
             
                 
             
           
          
             
               Plant shape 
               Mounded 
               Trailing 
               Upright 
             
             
               Plant size 
               Height: 
               Height: 
               Height: 
             
             
                 
               About 25 cm 
               About 20 cm 
               About 25 cm 
             
             
                 
               Spread: 
               Spread: 
               Spread: 
             
             
                 
               About 35 cm 
               About 40 cm 
               About 30 cm 
             
             
               Growth habit 
               Medium 
               Strong 
               Medium 
             
             
               Flower size 
               Depth: 
               Depth: 
               Depth: 
             
             
                 
               About 4 cm 
               About 4 cm 
               About 4 cm 
             
             
                 
               Diameter: 
               Diameter: 
               Diameter: 
             
             
                 
               About 6 cm 
               About 6.5 cm 
               About 5 cm 
             
             
               Flower color 
               Red 
               Red with 
               Red 
             
             
                 
                 
               clear white center 
             
             
               Flowering time 
               Early 
               Late 
               Early 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new  Petunia  ‘DANRAY5’ is the  Petunia sensu Wijsman  ‘DANCAS110’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,288), in the characteristics described in Table 2: 
   
     
       
         
             
             
             
           
             
               TABLE 2 
             
             
                 
             
             
                 
                 
               Comparison Cultivar 
             
             
                 
               New Cultivar 
               ‘DANCAS110’ 
             
             
               Characteristic 
               ‘DANRAY5’ 
               (patented) 
             
             
                 
             
           
          
             
               Plant shape 
               Mounded 
               Mounded, bushy 
             
             
               Plant size 
               Height: About 25 cm 
               Height: About 25 cm 
             
             
                 
               Spread: About 35 cm 
               Spread: About 50 cm 
             
             
               Flower size 
               Depth: About 4 cm 
               Depth: About 3 cm to 3.5 cm 
             
             
                 
               Diameter: About 6 cm 
               Diameter: About 4 cm to 5 cm 
             
             
               Flower color 
               Red 
               Yellow 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS 
     The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new  Petunia  cultivar ‘DANRAY5’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of ‘DANRAY5’. 
       FIG. 1  shows a side view perspective a typical flowering plant of ‘DANRAY5’ in a 13 cm pot, at 10 weeks after planting. 
       FIG. 2  shows a close-up view of the typical flowers of ‘DANRAY5’ at 10 weeks after planting. 
   

   DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION 
   The new  Petunia  ‘DANRAY5’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant. 
   Plants of ‘DANRAY5’ are grown outdoors in a moderate climate, and grown indoors during the winter. Irrigation and fertilization are needed on a regular basis. For optimal growth, grow plants of ‘DANRAY5’ in full sunlight. Plants of ‘DANRAY5’ are fully-grown in 3 months when grown in full sunlight, and bloom all year-round in a moderate climate. 
   The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new  Petunia  ‘DANRAY5’ as grown in a greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. 
   Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Color Chart (R.H.S.), 2001 edition, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately (time) 12:00 noon in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The age of the plant described is 10 weeks from planting.
     Classification:
             Botanical.—Petunia sensu Wijsman.          
       Parentage:
             Female or seed parent.—Petunia sensu Wijsman  ‘PE-1705’ (unpatented).     Male or pollen parent.—Petunia sensu Wijsman  ‘PE-99’ (unpatented).       
       Optimal growth conditions:
             Light intensities.— Full sunlight.     Temperature.— Day: 22° C. to 32° C. Night: 15° C. to 20° C.     Temperature tolerance.— Tolerant to a low temperature of about 5° C. and tolerant to a high temperature of about 40° C.       
       Foliage:
             Arrangement.— Alternate, sessile.     Overall shape of leaf.— Elliptic.     Apex.— Rounded (Obtuse).     Base.— Cuneate.     Length.— About 3.5 cm to 6 cm.     Width.— About 2 cm to 3.5 cm.     Margin.— Entire.     Texture.— Upper and under surfaces: Pubescent.     Pubescence.— Upper and under surfaces: Puberulent.     Color of upper surface.— Immature and mature leaves: Green, RHS 139A.     Color of under surface.— Immature and mature leaves: Green, RHS 137C.     Venation pattern.— Pinnate.     Venation color.— Upper and under surfaces: Green, RHS 137D.       
       Inflorescence:
             Flower longevity.— About 3 to 6 days.     Flower size.— Diameter: About 6.5 cm. Depth: About 4 cm.     Floral tube.—       Diameter.— 1.0 cm to1.5 cm at the corolla surface.     Flower shape/type.— Salverform.     Average number of flowers per lateral branch.— About 5 to 10.     Fertilization.— A balanced fertilizer with level N: P: K=5:3:8, using 250–300 ppm Nitrogen.     Growth regulators.— Not necessary in Israel climate.       
       Propagation:
             Type.— Tip cuttings of side shoots.     Rooting habit and description.— Easy to root; root from cutting base.     Time to initiate roots.— About 5 to 10 days at 20° C.     Time to produce a rooted cutting.— About 14 days at 20° C.       
       Plant:
             General appearance and form.— Height: About 25 cm. Spread: About 35 cm.     Growth habit.— Mounded.     Growth rate.— Fully grown plant in 3 months.     Branching habit and description.— Freely branching, typical to  Petunia  species.     Flowering response.— Indifferent to day length.     Flowering season.— Year round in moderate climate.     Winter hardiness/weather tolerance.— Frost tender. Plants may be damaged by temperatures below 5° C.     Lastingness of the individual bloom.— 3 to 6 days.     Fragrance.— None.       
       Stem description:
             Quantity per plant.— About 20.     Length.— About 20 cm to 40 cm.     Diameter.— About 0.2 cm to 0.5 cm.     Strength.— Strong.     Branching.— Freely.     Texture.— Pubescent.     Internodes length.— About 2 cm to 4 cm.     Internodes and stem color.— Yellow-green, RHS 144C.     Petals.— Number: 5; all 5 petals are united. Length: About 5 cm to 6.5 cm (from edge of the petal up to the base of floral tube). Width: About 2.5 cm across. Shape: Corolla united with 5 lobes and a long straight tube. Apex: Rounded (Obtuse). Margin: Entire. Texture: Upper and under surfaces: Glabrous. Color (when opening and when fully opened): Upper and Under Surfaces: Greyed-red, RHS 181A, with red, RHS 42A.     Sepals.— Number: 5. Length: About 1.5 cm to 2.2 cm. Width: About 0.4 cm to 0.7 cm. Shape: Oblong. Apex: Truncate. Margin: Entire. Texture: Upper and under surfaces: Pubescent. Color: Upper surface: Green, RHS 137A. Under surface: Green, RHS 139B.     Bud.— Rate of opening: About 2 to 4 days. Shape: Tubular. Length: About 3 cm to 5 cm. Diameter: About 0.6 cm to 1 cm. Texture: Pubescent. Color: Greyed-red, RHS 180C.     Peduncle.— Length: About 2 cm to 2.5 cm. Diameter: About 2 mm to 3 mm. Texture: Pubescent. Color: Yellow-green, RHS 144C.       
       Reproductive organs:
             Androecium.— Stamen: Number: 5. Length: 1.5 cm. Color: Green, RHS 139D. Anther: Shape Round. Length: About 1 mm. Color: Yellow, RHS 11C. Filaments: Length: About 14 mm. Color: White, RHS 155C. Pollen: Amount: Abundant. Color: RHS 11C. Pollination requirements: None.     Gynoecium.— Pistils: Quantity: 1. Length: About 15 mm. Color: Yellow-green, RHS 144B. Stigma: Shape: Undulate. Width: About 2 mm. Color: Yellow-green, RHS 144A.     Style.— Shape: Terete. Length: About 15 mm. Color: Yellow-green, RHS 144B.     Ovary.— Shape: Narrowly Conical. Position: Superior. Length: About 4 mm. Width: About 3 mm at the base. Color: Yellow-green, RHS 144A.       
       Seeds:
             Quantity per fruit.— About 200 to 400.     Shape.— Round.     Length.— About 0.5 mm.     Width.— About 0.5 mm.     Texture.— No hair.     Color.— Black, RHS 202B.       
       Fruit:
             Number.— Few, when naturally pollinated.     Type.— Capsule.     Shape.— Ellipsoid.     Length.— About 9 mm.     Width.— About 6 mm.     Texture.— Glabrous.     Color.— Yellow-green, RHS 144B.       
       Disease/pest resistance: Resistance to disease and pests common to  Petunia  has not been tested on plant grown under commercial conditions.   Disease/pest susceptibility: Susceptibility to disease and pests common to  Petunia  has not been observed on plant grown under commercial conditions.   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new  Petunia  have exhibited good tolerance to draught, rain and wind; however, flowering may cease during hot periods (temperatures above 45° C.). Low temperature tolerance to 5° C.