Witch Doctor Solenostemon Cultivar Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a distinct cultivar of Solenostemon scutellarioides that exhibits unique and stable traits such as upright and mounded growth habit, freely branching, purple-colored stems, and deeply lobed green leaves with dark purple margins and venation, which are not present in existing cultivars like 'Sparkler' and 'Alligator'.

Innovation Solution

A naturally occurring mutation of Solenostemon scutellarioides 'Sparkler' identified as 'Witch Doctor' has been stabilized through asexual reproduction by tip cuttings, showcasing these distinct characteristics, including purple stems and deeply lobed green leaves with dark purple margins and venation, differing from 'Sparkler' and 'Alligator'.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a naturally occurring mutation is selected and stabilized through asexual reproduction, then unique and stable traits (purple stems, deeply lobed leaves with dark purple margins) are achieved, but the plant differs significantly from existing cultivars like 'Sparkler' and 'Alligator' in multiple characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of unique traitsVSAvoidcompatibility with existing cultivars

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selecting a naturally occurring mutation that exhibits distinct phenotypic parameters (stem color, leaf lobing, leaf margin color) from the parent cultivar 'Sparkler'. Through asexual reproduction by tip cuttings, these altered parameters are stabilized and reproduced true to type, creating a new cultivar with reliably different characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the plant is propagated by tip cuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment, then the unique features are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations, but the propagation process requires controlled environmental conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegenetic stability of unique featuresVSAvoidpropagation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs self-service through asexual reproduction by tip cuttings, where the plant propagates itself under controlled conditions. The controlled greenhouse environment provides optimal conditions for rooting and growth, allowing the plant to reproduce true to type without complex external intervention, thereby stabilizing the unique genetic features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the plant exhibits temperature tolerance from 2° C to 35° C and resistance to pathogens and pests, then it is viable for diverse horticultural applications, but the phenotype may vary somewhat with environmental variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental tolerance rangeVSAvoidphenotypic consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies inversion by recognizing that while the genotype remains constant, the phenotype naturally varies with environmental conditions. Rather than attempting to eliminate this variation, the patent accepts and documents the phenotypic range as a characteristic of the cultivar, while maintaining genetic stability through asexual reproduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUSPP20887P2Solenostemon plant named `Witch Doctor`

Publication Date: 2010.03.23 TRAVEN LLOYD

AI summary

A new and distinct cultivar of Solenostemon plant named ‘Witch Doctor’, characterized by its upright and mounded plant habit; freely branching habit; purple-colored stems; and deeply lobed green-colored leaves with dark purple-colored margins and venation.