Sedum spurium Rock Candy Cultivar Foliage Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of Sedum spurium cultivars with unique, stable, and smaller dark green and purple foliage, which are distinct from existing varieties like 'John Creech', 'Fuldaglut', and 'Red Rock', and no such plants have been commercially available or disclosed prior to this application.
Innovation Solution
The development of a new Sedum spurium cultivar named 'Rock Candy' with smaller, dark green (RHS 147 B) and purple (RHS N79 A and N79 B) foliage, achieved through open pollination and subsequent asexual reproduction by division and vegetative cuttings, resulting in a denser growth habit and distinct coloration compared to its parent and other cultivars.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If open pollination and asexual reproduction are used to develop new cultivars, then unique and stable foliage characteristics can be achieved, but the development time and propagation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The propagation process is divided into two distinct phases: open pollination phase for generating genetic diversity and selecting unique foliage characteristics, followed by asexual reproduction phase (division and vegetative cuttings) for maintaining stability. This segmentation allows the patent to achieve both uniqueness through controlled pollination and stability through clonal propagation, resolving the time contradiction by structuring the development process in manageable stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary open pollination and selection work before commercial propagation. By conducting the breeding program and selecting plants with desired dark green and purple foliage characteristics before large-scale asexual reproduction, the patent establishes the genetic foundation early, then uses efficient vegetative propagation to rapidly multiply the selected cultivars, thereby reducing overall development time while maintaining stability.
2Reliability
If asexual reproduction by division and vegetative cuttings is used, then stable reproduction is achieved, but the initial genetic diversity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The breeding program is segmented into two functional phases: (1) Open pollination phase where genetic diversity is generated and unique foliage characteristics are selected, and (2) Asexual reproduction phase where stability is achieved through division and vegetative cuttings. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different functions to different phases, allowing both genetic diversity and stability to be achieved at appropriate stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the propagation parameter from sexual reproduction (open pollination) to asexual reproduction (division and vegetative cuttings) at different stages of development. Initially, open pollination is used to create genetic variation and select for unique dark green and purple foliage. Once the desired characteristics are achieved, the parameter shifts to asexual reproduction to maintain stability and ensure consistent trait inheritance, thereby resolving the genetic diversity versus stability contradiction.
3Shape
If smaller foliage size is selected, then aesthetic appeal and space efficiency are improved, but the growth rate and overall plant size are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selecting for smaller foliage size specifically in the leaf blades while maintaining healthy growth rates through appropriate propagation and cultivation methods. The open pollination process allows selection of plants with compact leaf dimensions (1 cm length, 8 mm width) that provide aesthetic appeal and space efficiency, while the subsequent asexual reproduction ensures these size characteristics are maintained without compromising overall plant health and growth productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A new, distinct Sedum spurium plant named ‘Rock Candy’ as illustrated and described, herein.