Breeding process of new rhododendron varieties Taoyuan 1 and Taoyuan 2, plant/cultural characteristics of rhododendron

At present, the main cultivated varieties of rhododendron in the market are Hirado rhododendron, western rhododendron, Jiulumi rhododendron, Gaoyue rhododendron and Taiwan native rhododendron. Because of the differences in regional environment and parents, each rhododendron system has different characteristics.

The rhododendron, which has beautiful flowers and is often used as potted flowers, grows weakly and is not easy to cultivate in Taiwan because of the high temperature and heat in summer. Pinghu rhododendron, which is commonly used as landscape landscaping by the roadside, has little change in flower color, mainly purple, pink and white. In order to improve the robustness of potted flower varieties and enhance the color and pattern changes of landscape varieties, Taoyuan No. 1-Red Rose "suitable for potted flower cultivation" and "Taoyuan No. 2-Torch" suitable for landscape application were selected and bred in the agricultural improvement field of Taoyuan Garden for 9 years.

Breeding process

Rhododendron varieties "Taoyuan 1" and "Taoyuan 2" were bred by cross breeding. Taoyuan No. 1 is based on rhododendron and Taijiao rhododendron as parents, while Taoyuan No. 2 is based on rhododendron and Pinghu rhododendron.

"Taoyuan No. 1" and "Taoyuan No. 2" went through the breeding procedures of hybridization, selection of excellent single plant and two comparative tests of strains, respectively. Among them, the selected rhododendron TYR0408051 strain has good branching and strong growth, magenta single petal and double sets, large number of flowers, neat flowering and good ornamental quality, so it is named "Taoyuan No. 1-Red Rose". The selected rhododendron TYR0401009 strain has medium branch number, large number of flowers and good ornamental quality, named "Taoyuan No.2-Torch". Two varieties have obtained the plant variety right in China in 102, and the exercise period of the variety right is from September 11, 127.

Variety characteristics

(1) Azalea "Taoyuan No. 1-Red Rose"

1. Plant characteristics: evergreen shrub, medium branching, leaf oblanceolate, leaf apex sharp, leaf surface and back are green, papery, dull. The flower Corolla is wide funnel-shaped, the flower is double (calyx petals into the second set of petals), some stamens petal, the flower diameter is large (10.4cm), the main flower color is purplish red (RHSN57A), the main flower color does not change. The number of flowers is large and the flowering is neat, and the flowering quality is good.

two。 Cultivation characteristics: it can be managed according to the general cultivation mode of rhododendron, and proper shading should be carried out in summer to avoid leaf damage caused by strong light. Can adapt to outdoor landing cultivation, but pay attention to the selection of good drainage and avoid strong winds. The natural florescence is about the end of February.

(2) Azalea "Taoyuan No.2-Torch"

1. Plant characteristics: evergreen medium shrub, medium branching, oval leaf, obtuse leaf apex, acuminate base, green leaf surface and back, medium length and width, papery texture and long fine hairs. The Corolla of the flower is radial funnel-shaped, the flower is single, the flower diameter is large, the main flower color is red (RHS38A), the secondary flower color is white (RHSN155B), and the flower color varies with tiny spots or stripes.

two。 Cultivation characteristics: it can be managed according to the general cultivation mode of rhododendron. Proper shading should be carried out in summer to avoid leaf damage caused by strong light. It can adapt to outdoor ground cultivation and grow well. The branches are easy to grow in summer and autumn and need to be pruned properly to increase their branching. Attention should be paid to the occurrence of brown spot (Septoria azalleae Voglino) in high temperature and high humidity environment. The natural florescence is about March.