Veronica Spike Hybrid Stem Length and Foliage Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Veronica plant cultivars lack the desirable combination of longer stems, longer blue flower spikes, and cleaner foliage, which are stable and true to type in successive generations.
Innovation Solution
A new Veronica hybrid, 'Spike', is developed with longer stems, longer blue flower spikes, and cleaner foliage, achieved through asexual reproduction by division and vegetative stem cuttings, showcasing stability and reproduction consistency compared to its seed parent Veronica spicata nana and other cultivars like 'Glory'.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If Veronica spicata nana is used as seed parent, then the plant can be propagated, but the stems and flower spikes remain short
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple desirable traits from different Veronica sources into a single hybrid cultivar. The 'Spike' hybrid merges the compact growth habit of V. spicata nana with genes for longer stems and flower spikes from unknown pollen parents, achieving both increased length and stable inheritance through controlled breeding programs at Burpee and other nurseries since 2009.
Solution Approach 2:
The breeding program systematically changed key parameters including stem length (from 20 cm to 40 cm), flower spike length (from 10 cm to 23 cm), and flowering time. These parameter changes were achieved through selective crossing and stabilization over multiple generations, creating a new cultivar with optimized growth characteristics while maintaining reliability.
2Manufacturing precision
If Veronica spicata nana is used as seed parent, then the plant can be propagated, but the foliage quality remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The breeding program focused on improving specific local qualities of the plant, particularly foliage cleanliness and flower spike quality, while maintaining the overall compact growth habit. The 'Spike' hybrid exhibits cleaner, more uniform foliage without excessive complexity in the breeding process, achieving localized improvements through targeted selection.
3Shape
If longer stems and flower spikes are selected, then the aesthetic value improves, but the plant height increases beyond desirable limits
Solution Approach 1:
The breeding program applied partial action by selecting for increased inflorescence length (achieving 23 cm from 10 cm) while deliberately limiting overall plant height increase. The 'Spike' hybrid achieves impressive flower spike length without excessive total height, maintaining a balanced proportion between stem length (40 cm) and inflorescence length (23 cm) that satisfies aesthetic requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A new, distinct Veronica plant as described and illustrated, characterized by the combination of longer stems, longer blue flower spikes, and cleaner foliage compared to the seed parent.