Sutera Dancop36 Semi-Trailing Cultivar Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a new Sutera cultivar with a branched, semi-trailing growth habit and large, violet-colored flowers that can thrive in various climate zones, particularly as a perennial in zones 9 and 10, and be suitable for hanging baskets and ground cover under full sunlight and slight shade.

Innovation Solution

The development of the Sutera 'DANCOP36' cultivar, which features 5-petalled flowers measuring 2.4 cm in diameter with a yellow-orange throat, a semi-trailing compact growth habit, early flowering response, and is propagated through vegetative tip cuttings, retaining its characteristics through successive generations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a trailing growth habit is achieved, then the plant can cover ground effectively, but the plant height becomes too low for hanging basket applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrowth habitVSAvoidplant height

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The plant's growth habit is segmented into distinct zones: an upright central stem structure that provides height for hanging basket display, and semi-trailing lateral branches that provide ground cover capability. This segmentation allows the plant to simultaneously satisfy both height requirements and spreading requirements through its branched architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of moving object

If large flower size is achieved, then visual impact is improved, but the complexity of flower structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflower sizeVSAvoidflower structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flower exhibits local quality differentiation with a violet corolla that has a distinct yellow-orange throat region. This localized color variation enhances visual impact without requiring complex structural elements throughout the entire flower, maintaining simplicity while achieving aesthetic excellence through targeted color placement in the throat area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of time

If early flowering response is achieved, then time to market is reduced, but the plant may sacrifice overall growth development

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflowering timeVSAvoidgrowth period

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The plant exhibits dynamic growth characteristics where the semi-trailing branches and compact foliage continue to develop and spread even after flowering begins. The plant maintains active vegetative growth alongside reproductive development, allowing simultaneous achievement of early flowering and sustained growth period through dynamic resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUSPP21960P2Sutera plant named `Dancop36`

Publication Date: 2011.05.31 DANZIGER - DAN FLOWER FARM

AI summary

A new and distinct Sutera cordata plant named ‘DANCOP36’ particularly characterized by 5-petalled flowers, measuring about 2.4 cm in diameter and violet in color with a yellow-orange colored throat; semi-trailing, compact growth habit; early flowering response; and suitable for use with hanging basket planters, combination planters and ground cover under full sunlight-and slight shade.