Calluna K6300 Cultivar Breeding Square Branches
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for new Calluna plant cultivars with specific traits such as upright and spreading growth habit, thick square branches, and attractive leaf color changes, which are not adequately met by existing varieties like 'K6322', 'Nr 580', and 'Nr 5163'.
Innovation Solution
A new Calluna plant cultivar 'K6300' is developed through controlled cross-pollination of proprietary selections, exhibiting compact and upright growth, dense branching, and greyed orange leaf color in autumn and winter, with stable reproduction through cuttings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If existing Calluna varieties are used, then basic growth habit is maintained, but upright and spreading growth habit with thick square branches is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selecting for specific branch characteristics (square cross-section, thick diameter) in particular regions of the plant while maintaining overall upright growth habit. The breeding program focused on developing distinct branch morphology rather than uniform plant-wide changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes key morphological parameters including branch diameter (thicker), branch cross-section shape (square), and growth habit (upright to spreading). These parameter changes were achieved through controlled cross-pollination and selection of progeny exhibiting the desired traits.
2Ease of manufacture
If existing Calluna varieties are used, then basic leaf color is maintained, but attractive greyed orange color change in autumn and winter is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the leaf color parameter by selecting for progeny that exhibit greyed orange coloration during autumn and winter months. This represents a deliberate shift from the green foliage of parent plants to a seasonal color change trait.
3Manufacturing precision
If controlled cross-pollination breeding is performed, then new traits are created, but breeding time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The breeding program performed preliminary controlled cross-pollination between selected parent plants before mass production. This preliminary genetic combination step ensured that desired traits were established in the F1 generation, reducing the need for additional breeding cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
Once the desired traits were established in the F1 generation through cross-pollination, the invention used asexual reproduction (cuttings) to copy and propagate the new cultivar. This copying method maintained trait uniformity without requiring repeated sexual breeding cycles.
4Stability of the object's composition
If asexual reproduction by cuttings is used, then trait stability is maintained, but propagation speed may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asexual reproduction by cuttings to create genetic copies of the F1 plant. This copying method ensures that the unique combination of traits (upright growth, square branches, greyed orange foliage) is reproduced identically in successive generations without genetic variation.
Data Source
AI summary
A new and distinct cultivar of Calluna plant named ‘K6300’, characterized by its compact and upright to outwardly spreading plant habit; freely basal and lateral branching habit; dense and bushy appearance; moderately vigorous growth habit; thick squarish branches; green-colored leaves that become greyed orange in color during the autumn and winter; and good garden performance.