Patent Grant
PP33923
Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the novel plant variety disclosed herein is Rhododendron hybrid.
Variety denomination: ‘NCRX7’.
The inventive hybrid was selected from seedlings derived from a controlled cross between evergreen azalea hybrids ‘Sky Hill Pose’ (unpatented, female) and ‘Fourth of July’ (unpatented, male). Prior to the designation of the varietal denomination, ‘NCRX7’ was referred to by its experimental code: H2013-168-035.
The present invention comprises a new and distinct hybrid evergreen azalea cultivar hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘NCRX7’. This hybrid azalea was developed by a controlled breeding program at North Carolina State University, in Mills River, N.C. ‘NCRX7’ was selected for its large, prolific, semi-double, deep pink flowers, moderate and dense growth habit, and consistent reblooming in Fall. ‘NCRX7’ was obtained from the controlled, hand pollination of emasculated female Rhododendron ‘Sky Hill Pose’ (unpatented) and male/pollen parent Rhododendron oldhamii ‘Fourth of July’ (unpatented). ‘NCRX7’ was selected from this population after 6 years in trials at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center in Mills River, N.C.
Container trials were conducted using pine bark media supplemented with 1.04 kg·m−3 dolomitic lime, 0.74 kg·m−3 granulated micronutrients (Micromax; ICL Specialty Fertilizers, Tel Aviv, Israel) and top-dressed with 5- to 6-month slow-release fertilizer (Osmocote Plus 15-9-12, ICL Specialty Fertilizers). Full-sun field trials were conducted in plastic-covered, bark-amended clay soils with minimum winter temperatures of −2° F. (−19° C.) and maximum summer temperatures 98° F. (37° C.). The first asexual propagation of ‘NCRX7’ occurred in 2015 by rooting stem cuttings at the North Carolina State University Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station, Mills River, N.C. ‘NCRX7’ roots readily from firm softwood cuttings treated with a basal dip of 3,000-5,000 ppm indole-3-butyric acid (potassium salt) in water. ‘NCRX7’ has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations over 6 years.
The following are the unique combination of characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under standard horticultural practices at North Carolina State University, Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station, Mills River, N.C.
Rhododendron
Rhododendron
Rhododendron
Rhododendron
Rhododendron
Rhododendron
Rhododendron
‘NCRX7’ is illustrated by the accompanying photographs, which show the plant's form, foliage, and inflorescences. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the colors of the new hybrid Rhododendron.
The following is a detailed description of the botanical characteristics of the new and distinct hybrid evergreen azalea known by the denomination ‘NCRX7’. The detailed description was taken on a 3-year-old container-grown plant in Mills River, N.C., in 2020. Where pertinent, descriptive data was supplemented by observations/measurements taken on a 5-year-old individual located in field trials in Mills River, N.C., as well as information provided from cooperators in Grand Haven, Mich. All colors cited herein refer to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.), London, 2015 Edition. Where specific dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as is practicable.
