Hosta Fragrant Queen Cultivar Mutation Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a new and distinct cultivar of Hosta that exhibits unique characteristics such as broadly spreading foliage, variegated leaf coloration, fragrant flowers, and good garden performance, which are not met by existing cultivars like Fragrant King and Sweet Innocence.
Innovation Solution
The cultivar 'Fragrant Queen' is a naturally occurring mutation of Fragrant King, characterized by thicker leaves with broader pale yellow edges, producing fragrant pale violet to white flowers on strong scapes, and demonstrating good garden performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a new Hosta cultivar is developed with broader pale yellow leaf edges through natural mutation, then leaf coloration uniqueness is improved, but breeding time and selection process are extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the naturally occurring mutation (which initially appears as a random, unpredictable event) into a beneficial outcome by selecting and propagating the mutant plant with desirable traits. The natural mutation process, while time-consuming, provides unique genetic variations that cannot be achieved through conventional breeding, thus converting the 'harm' of extended breeding time into the 'benefit' of obtaining a distinct cultivar with novel characteristics.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the Hosta plant is propagated by divisions to maintain stable traits, then genetic consistency is improved, but propagation speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses division propagation to create exact genetic copies of the mutant plant. By dividing the rhizome into sections, each containing growth points, the cultivar is replicated faithfully without genetic variation. This copying method ensures that the unique leaf coloration and other desirable traits are preserved identically in each new plant, maintaining genetic stability while achieving propagation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the cultivar is selected from a controlled greenhouse environment, then trait stability is improved, but adaptability to different environments is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary selection and stabilization of desirable traits in a controlled greenhouse environment before introducing the cultivar to garden conditions. The controlled environment allows for careful observation and selection of plants with stable, true-to-type characteristics. Once stability is confirmed through multiple generations in the greenhouse, the cultivar is then introduced to outdoor garden settings, ensuring that the adapted plants will perform reliably in diverse environmental conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A new and distinct cultivar of Hosta plant named ‘Fragrant Queen’, characterized by its broadly spreading foliage with upright flower scapes; green and pale yellow variegated foliage; fragrant pale violet to white-colored flowers that are positioned above the foliage on strong scapes; and good garden performance.