Hydrangea H218917 Breeding for Stem Strength and Flower Uniformity

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a new cultivar of Hydrangea macrophylla with strong and freely-branching stems, uniform flowering habit, large inflorescences with numerous showy sterile flowers, and good post-production longevity, which existing cultivars do not adequately provide.

Innovation Solution

A new cultivar, 'H218917', resulting from a cross-pollination between proprietary selections of Hydrangea macrophylla, exhibits upright and mounded growth, vigorous branching, red-purple double sterile flowers, and prolonged flower longevity, distinguished by its stable and true-to-type asexual reproduction via vegetative tip cuttings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If existing Hydrangea cultivars are used, then they have basic flowering capability, but they lack strong sturdy stems and uniform flowering habit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestem strengthVSAvoidflowering uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selecting and breeding for specific morphological parameters including stem thickness (0.5-1.0 cm diameter), plant height (60-120 cm), and inflorescence diameter (15-30 cm). The breeding program targeted specific quantitative traits to achieve both structural strength and flowering uniformity simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Volume of moving object

If existing Hydrangea cultivars are used, then they have some flowering capability, but they produce small inflorescences with few sterile flowers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinflorescence sizeVSAvoidnumber of sterile flowers

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by describing the inflorescence structure as a lacecap-type arrangement with distinct segments: a central cluster of fertile flowers surrounded by numerous sterile flowers (20-50 per inflorescence). This segmented structure allows the plant to produce both functional fertile flowers and showy sterile flowers in organized groups, increasing overall inflorescence size and flower count.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Duration of action of stationary object

If existing Hydrangea cultivars are used, then they have basic postproduction longevity, but they lack extended flower duration and vigor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflower longevityVSAvoidgrowth rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action through a controlled breeding program that pre-selects parent plants with desirable traits before cross-pollination. The parent plants were chosen for specific characteristics including stem strength, flowering uniformity, and inflorescence size, ensuring that the offspring inherit these beneficial traits for extended flower longevity and vigorous growth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUSPP32401P2<i>Hydrangea </i>plant named ‘H218917’

Publication Date: 2020.10.27 HYDRANGEA BREEDERS ASSOC

AI summary

A new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant named ‘H218917’, characterized by its upright and uniformly mounded plant habit; vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate; freely branching habit with strong, thick and sturdy stems; freely and uniformly flowering habit; lacecap-type inflorescences with numerous double sterile flowers that are red purple in color; and good postproduction longevity.