Neon Flare Phlox Cultivar Mildew Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Phlox cultivars lack a combination of healthy foliage, compact habit, and robust stem structure, along with consistent and vibrant flower color, which are essential for improved garden performance and resistance to mildew.

Innovation Solution

The development of the Phlox paniculata cultivar 'Neon Flare', characterized by white and magenta bicolored flowers, compact habit, healthy foliage, and good mildew resistance, achieved through asexual reproduction by vegetative cuttings in a controlled environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing Phlox cultivars are grown under normal horticultural practices, then they produce flowers, but they exhibit poor foliage health, weak stem structure, and susceptibility to mildew

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemildew resistanceVSAvoidfoliage health and stem strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selecting and propagating plants with specific genetic characteristics that result in thicker stems, healthier foliage, and improved mildew resistance. The vegetative cutting propagation method ensures these parameters are consistently reproduced across generations, creating a stable cultivar with superior physical properties compared to existing cultivars.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Shape

If existing Phlox cultivars are compared side by side, then similar cultivars like 'Windsor' produce flowers, but they have less healthy foliage, thinner stems, and less compact plant habit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplant habit compactnessVSAvoidstem thickness and foliage health

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by developing a cultivar with specifically improved local characteristics - thicker stems, healthier foliage, and more compact plant habit - while maintaining the overall Phlox paniculata structure. This targeted improvement of specific plant parts creates a superior cultivar that addresses the weaknesses of existing cultivars without requiring complete structural redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If existing Phlox cultivars are grown under controlled environment, then they reproduce, but they lack consistent and vibrant flower color and even flowering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflower color consistencyVSAvoidflowering evenness and color richness

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies copying through vegetative cutting propagation, where selected mother plants with desirable flower color characteristics are reproduced asexually. This method ensures that the genetic traits for vibrant and consistent flower color, as well as even flowering, are exactly copied and maintained across all propagated plants, eliminating the variability associated with seed propagation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUSPP21754P2Phlox plant named `Neon Flare`

Publication Date: 2011.03.01 VERSCHOOR JAN

AI summary

A new and distinct cultivar of Phlox plant named ‘Neon Flare’, particularly distinguished by white and magenta bicolored flowers, compact habit, healthy foliage, and good mildew resistance, is disclosed.