USOOPP17817P3 (12) United States Plant Patent (10) Patent No.: US PP17,817 P3 Andersen (45) Date of Patent: Jun. 19, 2007 (54) SCHLUMBERGERA PLANT NAMED THOR- (51) Int. Cl. LIVA AOIH 5/00 (2006.01) (50) Latin Name: Schlumbergera truncata Varietal Denomination: THOR-LIVIA (52) U.S. Cl. ....................................................... Pt/372 (75) Inventor: Jorgen Kurt Andersen, Odense SO (58) Field of Classification Search ................... Pt. 1372 (DK) See application file for complete search history. (73) Assignee: Gartneriet Thoruplund A/S, Odense SO (DK) Primary Examiner Kent Bell Assistant Examiner—Annette H Para (*)*) Notice:Notice Subiectubject tto any disclaid1Sc1a1mer, theune tterm oIf un1sthi (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Foley & Lardner, LLP patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days. (57) ABSTRACT (21) Appl. No.: 11/335,745 A new and distinct Schlumbergera plant named THOR (22) Filed: Jan. 20, 2006 LIVIA particularly characterized by large upright to vertical (65) Prior Publication Data flowers; freely flowering white, light purple and red-purple colored flowers; large quantity of flowers perplant; and slow US 2006/0206975 P1 Sep.p 14, 2006 growth rate and freely branching growth habit. (30) Foreign Application Priority Data Jan. 20, 2005 (EM) ......................................... 2005/0091 4 Drawing Sheets 1 2 Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: by trial production batches, was first performed on 25" Schlumbergera truncata. November 2001 in Fyn, Denmark, and has demonstrated Variety denomination: “THOR-LIVIA. that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 5 successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar cultivar reproduces true to type. of Schlumbergera plant, botanically known as Schlumberg era truncata, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION THOR-LIVIA. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and Schlumbergera (formerly Zygocacatus) of the Cactaceae are determined to be unique characteristics of THOR family, consists of 6 known species which are epiphytic cacti LIVIA which in combination distinguish this Schlumberg and native to Brazil. Common names for Schlumbergera era as a new and distinct cultivar. plants include: Crab Cactus for the cultivar's claw-like 1. Large upright to vertical flowers; phylloclade margin, Thanksgiving Cactus for cultivars 15 which bloom in November, and Christmas Cactus for cul 2. Freely flowering white, light purple and light red tivars which bloom in December. purple colored flowers; The new Schlumbergera cultivar is a product of a con- 3. Large quantity of flowers per plant; and trolled breeding program conducted by the inventor, Jørgen 4. Slow growth rate and freely branching growth habit. Kurt ANDERSEN, in Fyn, Denmark. The objective of the 20 . Plants of the new Schlumbergera cultivar THOR-LIVIA breeding program was to develop a new Schlumbergera differ from plants of the parental cultivars in the following cultivar with upright plant habit, freely branching habit and characteristics: large flowers with a unique color combination. 1. Many shoote and flowers The new Schlumbergera cultivar originated from an out- Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present crossing made by the inventor, Jorgen Kurt ANDERSEN, in 25 inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new Schlum 2001 in Fyn, Denmark. The female or seed parent is an bergera cultivar THOR-LIVIA is the Schlumbergera cul unnamed, unpatented Schlumbergera truncata cultivar. The tivar THOR-BRITTA (unpatented) in the following char male or pollen parent is an unnamed, unpatented Schlum- acter1St1CS: bergera truncata cultivar. The new Schlumbergera cultivar 1. Plants of the new Schlumbergera cultivar THOR was discovered and selected by the inventor as a single 30 LIVIA have more lateral branches (about 14 when 3 flowering plant within the progeny of the Stated outcrossing phylloclade cuttings planted per plant) than plants of in a controlled environment in 2002 in Fyn, Denmark, on the the cultivar THOR-BRITTA (about 9 when 3 phyllo basis of its flower color and freely branching habit. clade cuttings planted per plant). Asexual reproduction of the new Schlumbergera cultivar 2. Plants of the new Schlumbergera cultivar THOR by phylloclade cuttings taken and propagated, and followed LIVIA have thicker and lighter green phylloclades US PP17,817 P3 3 4 (about 6 mm; yellow-green, RHS 146A) than THOR Male or pollen parent. —Unnamed, unpatented BRITTA (about 4 mm; green, RHS 137A). Schlumbergera truncata. 3. Plants of the new Schlumbergera cultivar THOR Propagation: By phylloclade cuttings. LIVIA are narrower and more compact (about 20 cm) Time and temperature to initiate roots. —In a than the plants of the cultivar THOR-BRITTA (about greenhouse, about 30 days at 18°C. to 21°C. 21°C. 27 cm). Time and temperature to produce a rooted cutting.—In a greenhouse, about 20 days at at 18°C. to 21 C. 4. Plants of the new Schlumbergera cultivar THOR Rooting habit and description.—Fine, well-branched LIVIA have larger and more flowers (diameter about and RHS 155B white in color. 5.5 cm and height about 7.5 cm; about 40 to 45 flowers) Plant: than the plants of the cultivar THOR-BRITTA Tipe.—Perennial, Epiphyte. (diameter about 4.5 cm and height about 6.0 cm; about Growth habit. —Initially erect and upright, becoming 30 to 35 flowers). pendent as lateral branches lengthen. Branching habit.—Freely branching, with three or BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS more new phylloclades forming at the apex of older The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall phylloclades. appearance of the new Schlumbergera cultivar THOR Vigor:- Slow growth rate. LIVIA showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible Crop time.—After rooting, about 10 months are with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the pho required to produce a finished flowering plant in an tographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in 11 cm pot. the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe Size at maturity.—Height (soil level to top of plant, the color of THOR-LIVIA. including flowers): About 18 cm. Spread: About 20 C. FIG. 1 shows a side perspective view of a typical flow Stem: None, older phylloclades may turn woody with age ering plant of THOR-LIVIA grown in a 10.5 cm pot, at 10 (several years). months of age. Lateral branches: FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of immature and mature Arrangement. Phylloclades form at the apex of older flowers and phylloclades of THOR-LIVIA. phylloclades to form branches. FIG. 3 shows a side perspective view of a typical flow Ouantity.—About 14, when 3 phylloclade cuttings ering plant of THOR-BRITTA grown in a 10.5 cm pot, at planted per pot. 10 months of age. Length. Primary: About 4 cm (1 phylloclade). Sec FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of flowers and phylloclades ondary: About 8.5 cm (2–3 phylloclades). of THOR-BRITTA. Width. About 3.5 cm. Aspect.—Upright (from basal phylloclade). Strength.—Strong (from basal phylloclade). DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION Appearance.—Shiny. The new Schlumbergera cultivar THOR-LIVIA has not Pubescence.—None. been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Color:- Green, RHS N138A. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations Phylloclade: in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day Arrangement.—Single and sequential. length without any change in the genotype of the plant. Ouantity per lateral branch.—About 3. The aforementioned photographs, together with the fol Length.—About 4 cm. lowing observations, measurements and values describe Width. About 3.5 cm. plants of THOR-LIVIA as grown in a glass-covered green Thickness.—About 6 mm (center of phylloclade). house in Fyn, Denmark, under conditions which closely Overall shape.—Oval, truncated. approximate those generally used in commercial practice. Apex shape. Truncate with 2 protruding marginal Plants of THOR-LIVIA are themo-photoperiodic and will teeth (about 8 to 9 mm in length), forming a claw develop buds and bloom best under short day conditions like shape. (less than 12 hours of sunlight for a period of 6 weeks) and Base shape.—Rounded, obtuse. cool night temperatures between 13° C. and 18° C. No Margin.—Serrated; about 6 teeth (5-7 mm in length). growth retardants were used when growing plants of Texture.—Glabrous, Smooth. THOR-LIVIA. Pubescence.—None. Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Color of upper surface.—Immature: Yellow-green, Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), 4" edition, except where RHS 146A. Mature: Yellow-green, RHS 147A. Mar general colors of ordinary significance are used. The pho gin: Yellow-green, RHS 146A. tographs and descriptions were taken during the Fall of 2005 Color of lower surface.—Immature: Yellow-green, in Fyn, Denmark, when outdoor day temperatures averaged RHS 146B. Mature: Yellow-green, RHS 147B. Mar 20° C. and outdoor night temperatures averaged 18°C. The gin: Yellow-green, RHS 146A. age of the plants described is 20 weeks. Venation.—Pattern: Costate. Color: Upper surface: Yellow-green, RHS 146A. Lower surface: Yellow Classification: green, RHS 147B. Botanical.—Schlumbergera truncata. Areole: Not true areole structure; tip of phylloclade is Common name. Thanksgiving Cactus. barbellate, 4–6 short hairs or bristles. Parentage: Inflorescence description: Female or seed parent. —Unnamed, unpatented Arrangement and appearance.—Single, double or Schlumbergera truncata. triple sessile flowers borne on apical end of phyllo US PP17,817 P3 5 6 clades. Flowers are hose-in-hose and Zygomorphic. Center: Light purple, RHS 75D: Petal Margin: When flowers are fully open, they form a right angle White, RHS N155C; Tube: Light Purple, RHS 75D; to the phylloclade. Flowers persistent; petals fold “ring at opening of tube, purple, RHS N74A. Color and wither slowly.