A New Spray Chrysanthemum Cultivar, 'Blue Hope' with Anemone Type and White Petals for Cut Flower

Abstract

A new spray chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflorum) 'Blue Hope' was bred by the Flower Research Institute, Gyeongsangnam-do Agricultural Research & Extension Services in 2009. The cultivar 'Blue Hope' was initially derived from the cross in 2005 between 'Ford', a spray chrysanthemum cultivar, with white anemone type, and 'Chopin', a spray chrysanthemum cultivar with white anemone type. The cultivar has anemone type with white petals. After the evaluation of the characteristics under shade culture in summer and retarding culture in spring and consecutive selection from 2007 to 2009, 'Blue Hope' was selected finality. The natural flowering time of 'Blue Hope' was October 24th, and year-round flowering is possible by shading or lighting treatment. The growth of plant was very vigorous and response time 6.5 weeks. The diameter of flower was 4.9 cm. Number of flowers per stem was 19.1 in autumn. Days to flowering under the short day treatment was about 45 in spring and its vase life was 23.8 days in the autumn season. This cultivar was resistance white rust and consumer's preference of new spray is high level than the control.