Patent Publication Number: US-5358-P

Title: Miniature rose plant--Minbco

Description:
The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of hardy, dwarf, bush type rose plant of the miniature class; the variety being primarily characterized--as to novelty--by the bright clear yellow coloration of the buds and flowers which in general color effect are similar to Calgold (miniature--U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,230) but smaller in size. 
     The variety is further characterized by: 
     An abundance of bloom, with flowers usually borne singly. 
     Slight fragrance. 
     A plant which is vigorous, of bushy, slightly spreading growth habit with semi-glossy to glossy, small foliage with pointed leaflets; the buds and flowers being similar in form, but smaller in size, to Calgold (miniature--U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,230) and averaging more petals. 
     The plant, which has a normal height of about 30 cm or more, can easily be maintained at lesser height by occasional trimming. 
     A plant which grows and blooms satisfactorily outdoors; is good for growing in pots; and provides excellent garden decoration as well as cut flowers. 
     The present variety of miniature rose was originated by me at my nursery located at Dallas, Tex., under conditions of careful control and observation, as a cross between two un-named seedling: (Little Darling × Gold Coin--miniature, not patented) as the seed parent and (Little Darling × Gold Coin--miniature, not patented) as the pollen parent. 
     Subsequent to origination of the variety I successfully reproduced it, at my nursery located as aforesaid, by cuttings; the reproductions having run true in all respects. 
    
    
     The color photograph illustrates the variety, including the foliage, bud and flower. 
    
    
     Referring now specifically to the new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant, the following is a detailed description thereof in outline; all major color plate identifications being by reference to the British Color Council Horticultural Color Chart, except where common terms of color definition are employed. 
     Type: Hardy; dwarf; bushy; slightly spreading; seedling; outdoors; cut flowers; garden decoration; potted plant. 
     Class: Miniature. Variety identification: Minbco--Commercial synonyn: Great Day. 
     Flowers borne: Usually singly on slender wirey stems. 
     Quantity of bloom: Abundant. 
     Bud: 
     Peduncle.--Medium to long length; slender but sturdy; erect; medium green, somtimes tinted bronze (outdoors); hairs -- few to none. 
     Before calyx breaks.--Size -- small. Form long; pointed with few or no foliaceous appendages and few or no tiny hairs on surface of bud; with foliaceous parts extending beyond the tip of the bud equal to one-half or less of its length. Color -- medium green, occasionally tinted with bronze (outdoors). 
     As calyx breaks.--Color -- yellow to clear yellow. 
     Opening.--Opens well in all weather. 
     Bloom: 
     Size when fully open.--Small, averaging about 35-40 mm (11/2&#34;). 
     Petalage.--Double -- averaging about 26-40 petals, arranged regularly plus sometimes several small petaloids. 
     Form.--High centered with petals reflexing loosely outward and later, at maturity, rolled loosely outward and downward. Open flowers show stamens. 
     Petals: Fairly thick; satiny on inside and on outside surface. 
     Shape.--Outside petals, broad lanceolate -- intermediate -- broad lanceolate with acute tip; inside -- lanceolate with acute tip. 
     Color: Newly opened flower from a plant grown outdoors (1982 season), Dallas, Tex.: 
     Outside petal.--Outside surface -- near Lemon Yellow 4/1 (or similar) on entire surface. Inside surface -- near Lemon Yellow 4/1 (or similar) -- sometimes with small slightly deeper yellow area at base. 
     Intermediate petal.--Outside surface -- same as outside petal; inside surface -- similar to outside petal. 
     Inner petal.--Outside surface -- same as intermediate petal; inside surface -- same as intermediate petal. 
     General color effect.--Newly opened flowers -- bright deep yellow. Three days open -- color similar to newly opened flowers but less brilliant. 
     Behavior.--Opens well in all weather. 
     Flower longevity (May 1982).--Plant in pot 6-8 days or longer. Cut flowers at living room temperature 4-5 days or longer. 
     Reproductive organs: 
     Stamens.--Average. 
     Filaments.--Generally long, yellow. 
     Anthers.--Yellow. 
     Pollen.--Fairly abundant -- yellow. 
     Pistils.--Average number. 
     Styles.--Fairly even; medium length; bunched; color -- yellowish. 
     Ovaries.--All enclosed in calyx. 
     Hips.--Few to none. 
     Sepals.--Permanent; spear shaped; recurved against peduncle. 
     Seed.--Few to none. 
     Foliage: 
     Leaves.--Compound of five (sometimes three or seven) leaflets; fairly small; leathery; semi-glossy to glossy. 
     Leaflets.--Shape: broad lanceloate, apex acute; base rounded, or rounded acute. Margin serrate. Color: medium to dark green; new growth -- normal (medium) green -- sometimes tinted bronze. Rachis: medium strength; upper side my have several tiny short prickles or hairs, grooved; underside several short to medium length hooked thorns with few or no tiny prickles. Stipules: medium long; medium width; long; narrow points which turn out usually at about 45 degrees or less (may be curved like a pair of tongs). 
     Growth: 
     Habit.--Dwarf; bushy; upright to slightly spreading; much branched. 
     Growth.--Free, vigorous; internodes short. 
     Canes.--Medium; slender; sturdy. 
     Main stems.--Color: medium green. 
     Thorns.--Average; slender, hooked slightly downward; color: tan. Prickle -- none. Hairs -- none. 
     Branches.--Color: medium green. Thorns: average to numerous; medium to long; slender; nearly straight, inclined downward. Medium oval base. Prickles: none. Hairs: none. 
     The miniature rose plant and its flowers as herein described may vary in slight detail due to climatic, soil and cultural conditions under which the variety may be grown; the present description being of the variety as grown at Dallas, Tex.