Hosta Diamonds Are Forever Compact Variegated Leaf Mutation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing Hosta cultivars lack a specific combination of traits such as compact growth habit, unique leaf variegation, and flower characteristics, which are not adequately represented in the over 5,000 registered and unregistered cultivars, particularly in terms of leaf thickness and flower production.
Innovation Solution
Hosta 'Diamonds Are Forever' is a mutation from 'Diamond Tiara' exhibiting a small, compact growth habit with upright to arching foliage, elliptic to cordate leaves with dark green centers and wide creamy white margins, and numerous purple striped flowers, offering distinct characteristics not found in other cultivars.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If Hosta cultivars are bred for wide white margins and green centers, then leaf variegation is improved, but leaf thickness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting for a specific mutation that alters the relationship between variegation width and leaf thickness. The 'Diamonds Are Forever' cultivar exhibits a parameter combination where wide creamy white margins (improving variegation) coexist with increased leaf thickness (0.0105 inches vs 0.0065-0.0070 inches in parent cultivars), reversing the typical trade-off through genetic mutation and selection.
2Volume of moving object
If Hosta cultivars are bred for compact growth habit, then plant size is improved, but flower production decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction through parameter changes in the mutant cultivar, which achieves a compact mound habit (improving plant size control) while simultaneously producing numerous purple striped flowers (improving flower production). This represents a deviation from the typical inverse relationship between compactness and flowering capacity through genetic mutation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cultivar exhibits local quality differentiation with upright to gradually arching foliage that maintains compact overall size while allowing flower scapes to extend above the foliage plane, enabling both compact growth habit and abundant flower production in different spatial zones of the plant.
3Shape
If Hosta cultivars are bred for wide white margins, then leaf coloration is improved, but growth rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting for a mutation that broadens the white margin parameter while maintaining or enhancing growth rate. The 'Diamonds Are Forever' cultivar exhibits wide creamy white margins that develop into white (improving leaf coloration) while demonstrating moderate to rapid growth rate, reversing the typical trade-off where wide margins correlate with slower growth.
Data Source
AI summary
The new and distinct Hosta plant named ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ with small, compact, mound habit, small elliptic to cordate leaves with dark green centers and wide creamy white margins that develop into a white. Numerous purple striped flowers are held attractively above foliage in mid-summer.