Phlox Red Caribbean Cultivar Breeding for Compact Habit and Mildew Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Phlox cultivars lack a combination of vibrant red flower color, compact habit, healthy foliage, and robust mildew resistance, with many varieties either lacking in color intensity or stem strength and basal branching.

Innovation Solution

The development of the Phlox paniculata cultivar 'Red Caribbean', which exhibits bright red flowers, a compact growth habit, healthy foliage, and good mildew resistance through asexual reproduction in a controlled environment, distinguishing it from similar cultivars like 'Latest Red' and 'Piña Colada'.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If existing Phlox cultivars are used, then they may have moderate flower color intensity, but they lack vibrant red color and compact habit simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflower color intensityVSAvoidplant habit compactness

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selecting and stabilizing specific genetic traits through controlled breeding and asexual reproduction. The cultivar 'Red Caribbean' exhibits altered parameters including intensified flower color (bright red), modified growth parameters (compact habit), and adjusted stem characteristics (thicker stems), all achieved through selective propagation that fixes these parameter combinations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If existing Phlox cultivars are used, then they may have average foliage health, but they lack the combination of healthy foliage and robust mildew resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemildew resistanceVSAvoidfoliage health

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cultivar exhibits self-service characteristics through inherent mildew resistance that protects its own foliage without requiring external interventions. The plant's genetic constitution provides natural defense mechanisms against mildew, allowing it to maintain healthy foliage autonomously under normal horticultural conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Strength

If existing Phlox cultivars are used, then they may have standard stem strength, but they lack thicker stems and sturdier plant habit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestem strengthVSAvoidplant structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by enhancing specific structural components (stems) with improved properties (thicker, stronger) while maintaining overall plant architecture. The stem modifications are localized improvements that provide mechanical support without fundamentally altering the entire plant structure or increasing overall complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUSPP20803P2Phlox plant named Red Caribbean

Publication Date: 2010.03.02 VERSCHOOR JAN

AI summary

A new and distinct cultivar of Phlox plant named ‘Red Caribbean’, particularly distinguished by bright red-colored flowers, compact habit, healthy foliage, and good mildew resistance, is disclosed.