Ornamentals
Snapdragon with Extended Postharvest Cut Flower Longevity
Flower longevity varies widely, due in part to natural genetic variation. Conventional methods of extending the longevity of cut flowers rely on a potentially hazardous chemical holding solution. This technology features several strains of snapdragons that keep longer as cut flowers. The inventor identified genes that extend the longevity and keeping quality of cut flowers in lines of white flowering snapdragons. Using an inbred-backcross method, these genes were moved into breeding snapdragon lines that produce flowers of other colors.
BENEFITS:
Flowers last twice as long as cut flowers from current commercial snapdragon cultivars
May be used in a breeding program to enhance the longevity of snapdragon varieties sold for cut flowers
May reduce the dangers from toxic chemicals currently used to extend cut-flower longevity
Inventors: Dennis P. Stimart
Source: http://warf.wisc.edu/, WARF: P06063US
Interspecific Vaccinium Hybrid (Lingonberry x Cranberry Hybrid)
The lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L) is a low-growing, woody, evergreen shrub widely distributed in the temperate, boreal, and arctic regions of the northern hemisphere. The American cranberry (V. macrocarpon Ait.) is native to eastern North America and is grown commercially for berry production. Lingonberry, and to a lesser extent cranberry, are also used as ornamental plants in landscaping. A UW-Madison plant breeder has made a novel cross between a selected wild lingonberry and the ‘HyRed’ cranberry cultivar to create a Vaccinium hybrid with improved ornamental traits. An individual from this cross, ‘VM-7,’is superior to either parent as an ornamental flowering plant in the cold zones. VM-7 is an excellent specimen plant and could be used in pots, in rock gardens or as a ground cover.
BENEFITS:
Flowers profusely due to multiple flower buds set on each stem
Blooms for longer periods because the plants are sterile
Evergreen foliage turns an attractive red color in winter light
Thick, waxy leaves give the plant excellent drought tolerance
Short stature improves the plant’s winter hardiness to -10 degrees Fahrenheit and below
Tolerant of winter flooding
Exhibits no spring dieback
Inventors: Eric L. Zeldin
Source: http://warf.wisc.edu/, WARF: P04343US
