Maestro Lavender Blue Geranium Compact Growth and Distinct Color

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a more compact series of green leaved zonal geraniums with improved outdoor performance and distinct flower color, as existing varieties either lack compactness or have similar purple flower colors.

Innovation Solution

The development of the new cultivar 'Maestro Lavender Blue' through cross-breeding 'Designer Lilac Chiffon' and Seedling Purple 6532, resulting in a dwarf plant with lavender blue flowers, medium size, and lighter green leaves, exhibiting excellent outdoor performance and distinct flower color.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional zonal geranium varieties are used, then they have established flower colors and growth patterns, but they lack compactness and have similar purple flower colors without distinctiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutdoor performanceVSAvoidplant compactness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selecting and breeding for specific quantitative traits: reducing plant height to 14-16 cm, controlling internode length to 2.0-3.5 cm, and limiting lateral branch length to 2.0-6.0 cm. These parameter modifications create a compact dwarf form while maintaining healthy growth and outdoor performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If existing geranium varieties with purple flowers are used, then they have established color patterns, but they lack distinct lavender blue flower color

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebreeding processVSAvoidflower color distinctiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by focusing on specific floral characteristics: petal color (Red-Purple Group 72C with white blotch), petal shape (inverted teardrop), and umbel structure (21-32 florets). This targeted selection of local floral qualities produces the distinctive lavender blue color and uniform flower appearance that differentiates the variety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of time

If rapid breeding is pursued, then time to market is reduced, but selection precision for desired traits may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebreeding cycle durationVSAvoidtrait selection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing a controlled breeding program that pre-selects parent plants with desirable traits ('Designer Lilac Chiffon' and Seedling Purple 6532). The systematic documentation of 22 specific characteristics and controlled asexual reproduction through cuttings prepare the variety for rapid commercial propagation while maintaining trait fidelity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies copying through asexual reproduction by cuttings, where rooted cuttings are propagated to produce genetically identical plants. This copying method maintains precise trait selection across multiple plants and enables rapid multiplication of the selected genotype without genetic variation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUSPP18732P3Geranium plant named `Maestro Lavender Blue`

Publication Date: 2008.04.15 DUEMMEN GROUP BV

AI summary

‘Maestro Lavender Blue’ is a new variety of geranium having a distinct lavender blue color and excellent outdoor performance.