Leucanthemum Real Comet Cultivar Breeding for Compact Habit and Extended Bloom

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing varieties of Leucanthemum lack a combination of tight clumping basal branching, upright habit, and specific flower characteristics such as pure white, reflexing ray florets, which are not adequately represented in current commercial varieties.

Innovation Solution

The development of the 'Real Comet' cultivar, resulting from controlled pollination between proprietary Leucanthemum seedlings, which exhibits tight clumping basal branching, upright habit, and unique flower features including white, reflexing ray florets and a mid-yellow central disc, achieved through vegetative division and basal shoot cuttings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If existing Leucanthemum varieties are used, then commercial availability is maintained, but the combination of tight clumping basal branching, upright habit, and pure white reflexing ray florets is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplant habit and flower morphologyVSAvoidvariety selection range

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selectively breeding for specific morphological parameters including tight clumping basal branching pattern, upright plant habit, pure white ray floret color, and reflexing flower posture. This creates a new cultivar 'Real Comet' with a unique combination of these parameters that distinguishes it from existing varieties while maintaining commercial viability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Shape

If larger flowers are produced, then visual impact is improved, but plant size and spacing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflower sizeVSAvoidplant spacing requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by concentrating floral display density within a compact plant framework. The cultivar produces numerous flowers (high local density) within a small plant footprint (35 cm diameter), creating intense visual impact in a limited space. This allows large visual presence without proportionally increasing plant spacing requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Duration of action of moving object

If flowering season is extended, then ornamental value is improved, but energy expenditure for the plant increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflowering season lengthVSAvoidplant energy expenditure

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by structuring the flowering pattern to occur in distinct waves from late June through October. The plant produces flowers in repeated cycles over the extended season, allowing energy to be expended in periodic bursts rather than continuously, thereby extending ornamental value while managing energy expenditure efficiently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUSPP33626P2<i>Leucanthemum </i>plant named ‘Real Comet’

Publication Date: 2021.11.09 READ CHARLES RICHARD

AI summary

A new cultivar of Leucanthemum plant named ‘Real Comet’ that is distinguishable by tight clumping basal branching and upright plant habit, double inflorescences consisting of inner whorls of golden-yellow ray florets and outer whorls of cream or pale yellow ray florets which are presented horizontally and downwards. Flowering of ‘Real Comet’ commences in late June and continues until October on plants which are 40 cm in height and 35 cm in width after 1 year of growth from an initial cutting.