Hydrangea Horath Cultivar Compact Growth and Blue Inflorescence

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Hydrangea cultivars lack a compact, blue variety with distinct foliage and flower characteristics that retain their traits through successive propagations, limiting options for breeders aiming for compact growth and specific color profiles.

Innovation Solution

The development of the 'Horath' cultivar, resulting from a cross between breeding selection 30-89/3 and 'Venice Raven', which exhibits a compact growth habit, strong stem quality, and dark blue inflorescence, differing from other varieties like 'Atlantic Blue' in growth habit and inflorescence size, and is asexually reproduced via cuttings to maintain its characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing Hydrangea cultivars are used, then they have established growth habits and flower characteristics, but they lack the specific combination of compact growth, blue color, and distinct foliage characteristics that retain through successive propagations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrowth habit and color characteristicsVSAvoidtrait retention through propagation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selectively breeding for specific traits including compact growth habit, blue inflorescence color, and dark green foliage. The breeding process modified genetic parameters to achieve a unique combination of characteristics that are then reliably transmitted through asexual propagation via cuttings, ensuring trait consistency across generations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a new cultivar is developed with distinctive characteristics, then it offers unique horticultural value, but it requires successful asexual reproduction to maintain trait consistency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistinctive foliage and flower characteristicsVSAvoidasexual propagation success

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes cutting propagation, a simple and cost-effective asexual reproduction method. Cuttings are taken from the parent plant and rooted to produce new plants that are genetically identical to the parent, ensuring trait consistency without requiring complex propagation techniques or expensive equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Volume of moving object

If compact growth habit is achieved, then the plant suits specific horticultural applications, but it may reduce overall plant vigor and stem quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplant sizeVSAvoidstem quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves compact growth habit through controlled breeding that maintains strong stem quality and vigorous growth characteristics. The cultivar 'Horath' exhibits compact overall size while retaining thick, strong stems and healthy foliage, demonstrating that local quality optimization can occur without compromising overall plant strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUSPP21291P3Variety of Hydrangea plant named `Horath`

Publication Date: 2010.09.14 HYDRANGEA BREEDERS ASSOC

AI summary

A new and distinct Hydrangea plant having good stem quality and a compact growth habit.