Physocarpus ZLEMichael Compact Growth and Mildew Resistance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current Physocarpus opulifolius cultivars lack a compact, well-branched growth habit with vibrant yellow-green foliage and resistance to powdery mildew, which limits their ornamental value and durability in landscape use.

Innovation Solution

The development of the 'ZLEMichael' cultivar, resulting from the cross of Physocarpus opulifolius 'Donna May' and 'Dart's Gold', which exhibits a unique combination of compact growth, dense branching, yellow-green foliage, and resistance to powdery mildew, achieved through selective breeding and asexual propagation using softwood and semi-hardwood cuttings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If Physocarpus opulifolius cultivars are bred for compact growth and dense branching, then plant size is reduced and ornamental value is improved, but foliage color vibrancy and size are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplant sizeVSAvoidfoliage size

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The breeding program systematically varied genetic parameters through controlled crosses between 'Donna May' (compact growth) and 'Dart's Gold' (yellow-green foliage), selecting offspring that optimized both plant size and foliage characteristics. This parameter optimization resolved the contradiction by finding the ideal balance point where compact growth coexists with vibrant, adequately-sized foliage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If Physocarpus opulifolius cultivars are selected for yellow-green foliage color, then ornamental value is improved, but resistance to powdery mildew is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveornamental valueVSAvoidpowdery mildew resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The selection process focused on identifying individual plants with localized resistance traits while maintaining the desired yellow-green foliage color. By selecting specific seedlings that exhibited both vibrant foliage and disease resistance, the program achieved local optimization of both traits simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between ornamental value and disease resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Volume of moving object

If Physocarpus opulifolius cultivars are bred for compact growth habit, then landscape suitability is improved, but branching density is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplant sizeVSAvoidbranching structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The selection process identified plants that segmented their growth into numerous small branches rather than few large ones. This segmentation approach allowed the cultivar to maintain a compact overall size while achieving dense branching structure, effectively resolving the contradiction between compact growth and branching density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUSPP34243P2<i>Physocarpus </i>plant named ‘ZLEMichael’

Publication Date: 2022.05.17 ZLESAK DAVID CHARLES

AI summary

‘ZLEMichael’ is a new and distinct cultivar of Physocarpus opulifolius plant having an upright, mounded, dense plant habit; compact overall plant size; strong branching characteristics; small-medium sized yellow-green foliage; short internode length; resistance to powdery mildew; corymbs of small blush-white flowers; pastel coral-pink follicle color in full sun for about a month after fertilization; and ability to root and grow vigorously from softwood and semi-hardwood stem cuttings.