Compact Variegated Ficus Cultivar With Stable Stem-Cutting Propagation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a new and distinct cultivar of Ficus benjamina that exhibits a compact, freely-branching growth habit with unique variegated foliage, which is stable and true to type through asexual reproduction, and can adapt to various environmental conditions.

Innovation Solution

The cultivar 'ESFIBU1801' is a spontaneous mutation of Ficus benjamina 'Anastasia' with stable characteristics such as small, lanceolate leaves and dark green-yellow variegated foliage, achieved through asexual reproduction and propagation by stem cuttings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a Ficus cultivar exhibits compact and freely-branching growth habit with variegated foliage, then aesthetic value and commercial appeal are improved, but genetic stability and true-to-type reproduction may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrowth habitVSAvoidgenetic stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selecting and propagating a spontaneous mutation that exhibits altered growth parameters (compact habit, free branching, variegated foliage). Through asexual reproduction via stem cuttings, these parameter changes are stabilized and maintained across generations, transforming a variable phenotype into a stable cultivar with consistent characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If environmental conditions vary (temperature, water availability, light intensity), then plant adaptability is improved, but phenotypic consistency may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental adaptabilityVSAvoidphenotypic consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs copying through asexual reproduction via stem cuttings to produce genetically identical copies of the mutant plant. This ensures that the unique phenotypic characteristics (compact growth, variegated foliage) are replicated exactly across multiple plants and generations, maintaining phenotypic consistency despite environmental variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Shape

If leaf size is reduced to small lanceolate form, then plant compactness and branching density are improved, but photosynthetic efficiency per leaf area may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleaf morphologyVSAvoidphotosynthetic efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by increasing the number of leaves (abundance of relatively small leaves) to compensate for the reduced size of individual leaves. The plant achieves adequate total photosynthetic capacity through numerous small leaves arranged in a dense canopy, distributing the photosynthetic function across many segments rather than relying on fewer large leaves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUSPP36998P2<i>Ficus </i>plant named ‘ESFIBU1801’

Publication Date: 2025.10.07 J VAN GEEST HLDG BV

AI summary

A new and distinct variety of Ficus plant named ‘ESFIBU1801’ which is characterized by the combination of a compact and freely-branching growth habit, an abundance of relatively small narrow ovate to lanceolate foliage with a relatively long apiculate to aristate leaf apex, dark green foliage that is broadly margined with a light yellow-green in juvenile foliage and a lighter shade of green in mature foliage, and the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation.