Double-type Kalanchoe interspecific hybrids

Abstract

New, distinct and stable cultivars of double-flowering Kalanchoe interspecific hybrids are disclosed. Double-flowering Kalanchoe interspecific hybrids produce one or more flowers with at least 5 full or partial petals per flower. Double-type K. aromatica x K. blossfeldiana, K. grandiflora x K. blossfeldiana, K. laciniata x K. blossfeldiana, K. pumila x K. blossfeldiana, K. marmorata x K. blossfeldiana, K. porphyrocalux x K. blossfeldiana, K. jongmansii x K. blossfeldiana, K. pinnata x K. blossfeldiana and K. daigremontiana x K. blossfeldiana are disclosed. The double-type flowering characteristic has been combined with many desirable Kalanchoe traits including different flower colors, growth characteristics and plant habit. Methods for the reliable breeding of the double-type characteristic into diverse Kalanchoe genetic backgrounds, as well as methods for increasing the number of petals per flower, are disclosed.

1 . A  Kalanchoe  interspecific hybrid plant having one or more double-type flowers with at least 5 full or partial petals per flower.  
   
   
       2 . The double-type  Kalanchoe  interspecific hybrid plant according to  claim 1  selected from the group consisting of  K. aromatica  x  K. blossfeldiana, K. grandiflora  x  K. blossfeldiana, K. laciniata  x  K. blossfeldiana, K. pumila  x  K. blossfeldiana, K. marmorata  x  K. blossfeldiana, K. porphyrocalux  x  K. blossfeldiana, K. jongmansii  x  K. blossfeldiana, K. pinnata  x  K. blossfeldiana,  and  K. daigremontiana  x  K. blossfeldiana.    
   
   
       3 . A double-type  K. laciniata  x  K. blossfeldiana  plant having one or more double-type flowers with at least 5 full or partial petals per flower.  
   
   
       4 . The  Kalanchoe  interspecific hybrid plant according to  claim 1 , wherein substantially all the flowers produced by said plant are double-type with at least 5 full or partial petal per flower.  
   
   
       5 . The  Kalanchoe  interspecific hybrid according to  claim 1 , wherein a double-type flower has at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, or more than 40 petals per flower.  
   
   
       6 . A method for breeding a double-type  Kalanchoe  interspecific hybrid plant that produces one or more flowers with at least 5 full or partial petals per flower comprising the steps of: 
 a. crossing a double-type  K. blossfeldiana  double-type plant, either as the male or female parent, with a single-type  Kalanchoe  plant selected from the group consisting of  K. aromatica, K. grandiflora, K. laciniata, K. pumila, K. marmorata, K. porphyrocalux, K. jongmansii, K. pinnata  and  K. daigremontiana;      b. selecting progeny that produce one or more flowers with at least 5 full or partial petals per flower.    
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the double-type interspecific progeny plant is back-crossed with one of the parents.  
   
   
       8 . A method for breeding a double-type  Kalanchoe  interspecific hybrid plant that produces one or more flowers with at least 5 full or partial petals per flower comprising the step of selfing a double-type  Kalanchoe  interspecific hybrid selected from the group consisting of  K. aromatica  x  K. blossfeldiana, K. grandiflora  x  K. blossfeldiana, K. laciniata  x  K. blossfeldiana, K. pumila  x  K. blossfeldiana, K. marmorata  x  K. blossfeldiana, K. porphyrocalux  x  K. blossfeldiana, K. jongmansii  x  K. blossfeldiana, K. pinnata  x  K. blossfeldiana  and  K. daigremontiana  x  K. blossfeldiana.    
   
   
       9 . A method for breeding a double-type  Kalanchoe  interspecific hybrid plant that produces one or more flowers with at least 5 full or partial petals per flower comprising the steps of: 
 a. crossing a double-type  Kalanchoe  interspecific hybrid selected from the group consisting of  K. aromatica  x  K. blossfeldiana, K. grandiflora  x  K. blossfeldiana, K. laciniata  x  K. blossfeldiana, K. pumila  x  K. blossfeldiana, K. marmorata  x  K. blossfeldiana, K. porphyrocalux  x  K. blossfeldiana, K. jongmansii  x  K. blossfeldiana, K. pinnata  x  K. blossfeldiana  and  K. daigremontiana  x  K. blossfeldiana,  as the male or female parent, with single or double-type  Kalanchoe  plant of the same or different species; and    b. selecting a progeny plant that produces double-type flowers.