Condrew Siberian Cypress Cultivar Winter Coloration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Siberian Cypress cultivars lack a compact, creeping growth habit with distinctive blue foliage, particularly during winter months, limiting their ornamental value as specimen plants or ground covers in specific hardiness zones.
Innovation Solution
A new cultivar, 'Condrew', exhibiting a low-growing, creeping growth habit and bluer foliar coloration, particularly in winter, is developed through asexual reproduction using semi-hardwood cuttings and Hormodin No. 3 rooting hormone, suitable for U.S.D.A. Hardiness Zone Nos. 3 to 8, and marketed under the DREW'S BLUE trademark.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If conventional Siberian Cypress cultivars are used, then they can be grown in various hardiness zones, but they lack distinctive blue foliage coloration and compact creeping growth habit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by developing a cultivar with specific localized characteristics (blue foliage coloration and compact creeping growth habit) that distinguish it from conventional cultivars. The 'Condrew' cultivar exhibits these unique traits in its foliage and overall plant form, providing ornamental value through distinctive local features rather than uniform characteristics across all cultivars.
2Ease of manufacture
If Siberian Cypress is grown for ornamental value, then it provides aesthetic appeal, but existing cultivars lack the specific blue coloration during winter months
Solution Approach 1:
The patent directly applies color changes by breeding a cultivar that exhibits blue foliage coloration, particularly during winter months. The 'Condrew' cultivar maintains this distinctive blue coloration across seasonal changes, enhancing ornamental value through color variation that is specifically valuable during winter when many other plants are dormant or brown.
3Stability of the object's composition
If asexual reproduction is used to propagate the cultivar, then true-to-type characteristics are maintained, but propagation time and effort are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing a stable, true-to-type cultivar through asexual reproduction methods that ensure genetic consistency from the outset. By using cuttings and rooting hormones to propagate 'Condrew', the distinctive blue foliage and compact growth habit are preserved exactly in each new plant, eliminating the need for repeated selection and breeding to maintain consistency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The 'Condrew' cultivar provides an attractive, stable, and true-to-type ornamental plant for landscaping as a specimen or continuous ground cover, with enhanced winter coloration and hardiness, ensuring consistent performance across different environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Asexual reproduction has been carried out in the winter while using semi-hardwood cuttings, Hormodin No. 3 rooting hormone and the use of bottom heating at approximately 70° F. to promote faster rooting.
Implementation Method 2
Asexual reproduction has been carried out in the winter while using semi-hardwood cuttings, Hormodin No. 3 rooting hormone and the use of bottom heating at approximately 70° F. to promote faster rooting.
Data Source
AI summary
A new and distinctive Microbiota decussata plant is provided. Unlike common plants of the species, the new plant displays attractive foliage that is bluer in coloration particularly at the juvenile stage and during the winter months. The growth habit is prostrate, and more creeping than that of the ‘Condavis’ cultivar (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 12/071,395, filed Feb. 20, 2008). The new plant is well suited for growing as a specimen plant or in a group as a ground cover.