Cactaceae plant

Abstract

A new plant variety of the Cactaceae family is related to the `Kris Kringle` and `Lavender Doll` varieties of the truncatus species and Zygocactus genus and has a growth habit providing specimens that combine the following principal distinguishing characteristics: a fast growth rate as comparable to that of the `Kris Kringle` variety; a natural tendency to branch without inducement by pruning during the growth period prior to blooming and which is comparable to that of the `Kris Kringle` variety; resistances to nutrient deficiencies and fungus type diseases that are comparable to those of the `Kris Kringle` and `Lavender Doll` varieties; a substantially greater resistance to flower bud abscission in comparison to the `Lavender Doll` and `Kris Kringle` varieites; and a bloom with less recurve in the tube forming tepals in comparison to the `Kris Kringle` variety and which commonly occurs from about 2 to 4 weeks earlier than blooms of the `Peach Parfait` variety, and having a bloom life of from about 6 to 9 days, a shorter style and perianth tube than those of the `Kris Kringle` and `Lavender Doll` varieties and perianth tube laminating and forming tepals with marginal blade areas that in color are dominated by pink, yellowish pink, red and/or reddish orange hues.

We claim: 
     
       1. The new and distinct variety of the Cactaceae family substantially as herein shown and described and which has a growth habit providing specimens that combine the following principal distinguishing characteristics: 1. A fast growth rate as comparable to that of the `Kris Kringle` variety,   2. A natural tendency to branch without inducement by pruning during the growth period prior to blooming and which is comparable to that of the `Kris Kringle` variety,   3. Resistances to nutrient deficiencies and fungus type diseases that are comparable to those of the `Kris Kringle` and `Lavender Doll` varieties,   4. A substantially greater resistance to flower bud abscission in comparison to the `Lavender Doll` and `Kris Kringle` varieties, and   5. A bloom with less recurve in the tube forming tepals in comparison to the `Kris Kringle` variety and which commonly occurs from about 2 to 4 weeks earlier than bloom of the `Peach Parfait` variety, and having a. a bloom life of from about 6 to about 9 days,   b. a shorter style and perianth tube than those of the `Kris Kringle` and `Lavender Doll` varieties, and   c. perianth tube laminating and forming tepals with marginal blade areas that in color are dominated by pink, purplish pink, yellowish pink, red and/or reddish orange hues.