Geranium Catherine Deneuve Interspecific Hybridization
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a new and distinct cultivar of Geranium that offers a long bloom season, unique flower color, and vigorous growth habit, as existing cultivars either have shorter bloom periods or different flower characteristics.
Innovation Solution
The Geranium 'Catherine Deneuve' cultivar, believed to be an interspecific cross between Geranium psilostemon and Geranium procurrans, exhibits deep magenta-pink star-shaped flowers and a vigorous growth habit, achieved through in vitro propagation and tissue culture, distinguishing it from its probable parent species.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If existing Geranium cultivars are used, then they have established growth habits, but they have shorter bloom periods and different flower characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by creating a new cultivar with modified genetic parameters that result in a prolonged bloom period (from late May to September) while maintaining distinct flower characteristics (deep magenta-pink color, star-shaped). This resolves the contradiction by changing the biological parameters of the Geranium plant through selective breeding to achieve both extended duration and unique characteristics.
2Length of moving object
If Geranium psilostemon is used as parent species, then it has tall height, but it has more rounded lighter flowers and shorter bloom period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two parent species (Geranium psilostemon and Geranium procurrans) through interspecific hybridization to combine desirable traits. The hybrid 'Catherine Deneuve' inherits the vigorous growth habit from G. psilostemon while acquiring the longer bloom period and deeper flower color from G. procurrans, thus resolving the contradiction between height and bloom duration.
3Duration of action of moving object
If Geranium procurrans is used as parent species, then it has purple flowers with dark veins, but it has rounder flowers and later bloom commencement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selecting specific traits from each parent species for different parts of the plant. From G. procurrans, it selects the deep flower color and prolonged bloom duration, while from G. psilostemon, it selects the star-shaped flower form. This selective trait combination resolves the contradiction between bloom period duration and flower shape.
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
Geranium 'Catherine Deneuve' provides a prolonged blooming period from May to September, matching the flower color of 'Ann Folkard' but with distinct flower shape and leaf characteristics, and demonstrates robust growth and heat tolerance, making it suitable for zones up to USDA Zone 5.
Implementation Method 1
Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was first accomplished by in vitro propagation under the direction of the Inventor in Rijswijk, The Netherlands in 2010
Implementation Method 2
Propagation by tissue culture and division has determined that the characteristics of this cultivar are stable and are reproduced true to type in successive generations
Data Source
AI summary
A new cultivar of hybrid Geranium, ‘Catherine Deneuve’, characterized by its very long bloom season, blooming from the end of May into September in the Netherlands, its star-shaped flowers that are deep magenta-pink in color, and its very vigorous growth habit.