Hydrangea JON02 Cultivar Breeding for Dark Foliage

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for new Hydrangea varieties with darker foliage, as existing varieties do not offer sufficient depth of color variation in foliage and flower colors, particularly in commercial cultivars like Hydrangea macrophylla 'Black Diamond Baroque Angel'.

Innovation Solution

The development of the Hydrangea cultivar 'JON02' through a breeding program that selects for naturally occurring mutations resulting in darker foliage and distinct flower colors, characterized by a compact growth habit, deep pink inflorescence, and prominently flushed dark purple foliage, achieved through asexual reproduction by softwood cuttings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing Hydrangea cultivars are used, then commercial availability is maintained, but foliage color depth and flower color variation are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor variationVSAvoidcolor consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selecting for mutations that alter pigment concentration and composition in the Hydrangea foliage and flowers. The new cultivar 'JON02' exhibits deeper purple foliage color and distinct flower colors compared to the parent, representing a change in the color parameters through natural mutation and selective breeding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If natural mutations are selected for darker foliage, then foliage color depth is improved, but genetic stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoliage color depthVSAvoidgenetic stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses asexual reproduction through softwood cuttings to propagate the new cultivar. This method creates genetically identical copies that preserve the desired dark foliage mutation without requiring seed production, ensuring genetic stability and true-to-type reproduction of the color characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Stability of the object's composition

If asexual reproduction by softwood cuttings is used, then genetic stability is maintained, but propagation time and effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegenetic stabilityVSAvoidpropagation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary selection of mutations during the growth phase at the commercial nursery before propagation. By identifying and selecting cuttings that exhibit the desired dark foliage and flower color characteristics during regular cultivation, the breeding process is streamlined, reducing the overall time required to develop and propagate the new cultivar.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20190183002P1Hydrangea plant named 'JON02'

Publication Date: 2019.06.13 DEJONG PLANT BV

AI summary

A new and distinct Hydrangea cultivar named ‘JON02’ is disclosed, characterized by a deep vibrant pink mophead inflorescence and dark green foliage strongly flushed greyed-purple. Plants are compact and well-branched, forming dense, attractive plants. The new variety is a Hydrangea, normally produced as an ornamental plant for containers or gardens.