Begonia plant named ‘Dobegicsaf’

[0001] Botanical designation: Begonia hybrida.

[0002] Cultivar denomination: ‘DOBEGICSAF’.

[0003] The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Begonia plant, botanically known as Begonia hybrida, and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘Dobegicsaf’.

[0004] The new Begonia plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in De Lier, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was to develop new compact, freely branching and freely flowering Begonia plants with large and attractive flowers.

[0005] The new Begonia plant originated from a cross-pollination made by the Inventor during the autumn of 2016 of Begonia hybrida ‘Dobegicpororan’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 32,038, as the female, or seed, parent with Begonia hybrida ‘I'CONIA First Kiss Hot Pink’, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Begonia plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in De Lier, The Netherlands during the spring of 2017.

[0006] Asexual reproduction of the new Begonia plant by vegetative tip cuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in De Lier, The Netherlands since the spring of 2017 has shown that the unique features of this new Begonia plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

[0007] Plants of the new Begonia have not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

[0008] The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Dobegicsaf’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Dobegicsaf’ as a new and distinct Begonia plant:

• • [0009] 1. Relatively compact, semi-upright to outwardly spreading and mounded plant habit.
  • [0010] 2. Vigorous growth habit.
  • [0011] 3. Freely basal branching habit.
  • [0012] 4. Very dark reddish brown-colored leaves.
  • [0013] 5. Freely and continuously flowering habit.
  • [0014] 6. Large double-type flowers that are light orange in color.

[0015] Plants of the new Begonia can be compared to plants of the female parent, ‘Dobegicpororan’. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Begonia differ primarily from plants of ‘Dobegicpororan’ in the following characteristics:

• • [0016] 1. Plants of the new Begonia are more freely branching than plants of ‘Dobegicpororan’.
  • [0017] 2. Plants of the new Begonia have lighter orange-colored flowers than plants of ‘Dobegicpororan’.
  • [0018] 3. Plants of the new Begonia have longer peduncles than plants of ‘Dobegicpororan’.

[0019] Plants of the new Begonia can be compared to plants of the male parent, ‘I'CONIA First Kiss Hot Pink’. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Begonia differ primarily from plants of ‘I'CONIA First Kiss Hot Pink’ in the following characteristics:

• • [0020] 1. Plants of the new Begonia have larger flowers than plants of ‘I'CONIA First Kiss Hot Pink’.
  • [0021] 2. Flowers of plants of the new Begonia are light orange in color whereas flowers of plants of ‘I'CONIA First Kiss Hot Pink’ are deep pink in color.

[0022] Plants of the new Begonia can be compared to plants of Begonia hybrida ‘I'CONIA Bacio Peach’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Begonia differ primarily from plants of ‘I'CONIA Bacio Peach’ in the following characteristics:

• • [0023] 1. Plants of the new Begonia are larger and more vigorous than plants of ‘I'CONIA Bacio Peach’.
  • [0024] 2. Plants of the new Begonia have larger leaves than plants of ‘I'CONIA Bacio Peach’.
  • [0025] 3. Plants of the new Begonia have larger flowers than plants of ‘I'CONIA Bacio Peach’.
  • [0026] 4. Flowers of plants of the new Begonia are light orange in color whereas flowers of plants of ‘I'CONIA Bacio Peach’ are soft yellow to peach in color.
  • [0027] 5. Plants of the new Begonia have longer and thicker peduncles than plants of ‘I'CONIA Bacio Peach’.

[0030] Plants used for the aforementioned photograph and following observations and measurements were grown in 12-cm containers during the summer in a glass-covered greenhouse in De Lier, The Netherlands. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 20° C. to 35° C., night temperatures ranged from 17° C. to 25° C. and minimum light level was 135 watt/m². Plants were twelve weeks old when the photograph and the description were taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, Fifth Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

• [0031] Botanical classification: Begonia hybrida ‘Dobegicsaf’.
• [0032] Parentage:
  • • [0033] Female, or seed, parent.—Begonia hybrida ‘Dobegicpororan’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 32,038.
    • [0034] Male, or pollen, parent.—Begonia hybrida ‘I'CONIA First Kiss Hot Pink’, not patented.
• [0035] Propagation:
  • • [0036] Type.—By vegetative tip cuttings.
    • [0037] Time to initiate roots, summer.—About 18 days at temperatures about 22° C. to 30° C.
    • [0038] Time to initiate roots, winter.—About 21 days at temperatures about 20° C. to 22° C.
    • [0039] Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About 22 to 25 days at temperatures about 22° C. to 30° C.
    • [0040] Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About 25 to 28 days at temperatures about 20° C. to 22° C.
    • [0041] Root description.—Medium in thickness, fibrous; whitish grey in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer type and formulation, substrate temperature and physiological age of roots; plants of the new Begonia have not been observed to form tubers.
    • [0042] Rooting habit.—Moderately freely branching; medium density.
• [0043] Plant description:
  • • [0044] Plant form and growth habit.—Semi-upright to outwardly spreading and mounded plant habit; relatively compact; freely basal branching with about three primary lateral branches each with about three secondary lateral branches; vigorous growth habit and moderate growth rate.
    • [0045] Plant height, soil level to top of foliar plane.—About 23.5 cm.
    • [0046] Plant height, soil level to top of floral plane.—About 26 cm.
    • [0047] Plant width.—About 35 cm.
    • [0048] Lateral branch description.—Length: About 16 cm. Diameter: About 9 mm. Internode length: About 4.5 cm. Texture and luster: Pubescent; semi-glossy. Aspect: Upright to outwardly spreading. Strength: Moderately strong, flexible. Color, developing: Close to N144C; at the internodes, close to 144C. Color, developed: Close to 152B.
    • [0049] Leaf description.—Arrangement: Alternate, simple. Length: About 14 cm. Width: About 6 cm. Shape: Lanceolate. Apex: Narrowly acute. Base: Oblique. Margin: Serrate; sinuses medium in depth and divergent. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Pubescent; semi-glossy. Venation pattern: Palmate; reticulate. Color: Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 200A. Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to N186C. Fully expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to 200A; venation, close to 144B. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close to 178C; venation, close to N144C. Petioles: Length: About 9 cm. Diameter: About 6 mm. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; semi-glossy. Strength: Moderately strong; flexible. Color, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 152B.
• [0050] Flower description:
  • • [0051] Flowering habit.—Double-type flowers arranged in axillary cymes; freely flowering habit with typically about three flowers per inflorescence and about 42 open flowers and flower buds per plant at one time; flowers face mostly upright to outwardly.
    • [0052] Fragrance.—None detected.
    • [0053] Natural flowering season.—Plants begin flowering about eight weeks after planting; long flowering period, in the garden plants flower freely and continuously from the late spring throughout the summer in Northern Europe and can be flowered year-round in greenhouses.
    • [0054] Flower longevity.—Individual flowers last about four to five weeks on the plant; flowers not persistent.
    • [0055] Inflorescence height.—About 7.5 cm.
    • [0056] Inflorescence diameter.—About 10 cm.
    • [0057] Flower buds.—Length: About 3 cm. Diameter: About 2 cm. Shape: Ovoid. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; semi-glossy. Color: Close to 145C.
    • [0058] Flower size.—Diameter: About 7.5 cm by 8.3 cm. Depth (height): About 2.5 cm.
    • [0059] Petals.—Quantity per flower and arrangement: Typically four to five per flower arranged in a single whorl. Length: About 4.2 cm. Width: About 2.8 cm. Shape: Obovate. Apex: Rounded and emarginate. Base: Cuneate and truncate. Margin: Entire; not undulate. Texture and luster, upper surface: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Texture and luster, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous; semi-glossy. Color: When opening, upper surface: Close to 36A. When opening, lower surface: Close to 36B. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 49B; venation, close to 36B; color becoming closer to 37D with subsequent development. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to 36C; venation, close to 36B; color becoming closer to 36B with subsequent development.
    • [0060] Petaloids.—Quantity per flower and arrangement: Typically 40 per flower arranged in about six whorls. Length: About 2.8 cm. Width: About 1.8 cm. Shape: Obovate. Apex: Rounded. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire; slightly undulate. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; semi-glossy. Color: When opening, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 9A and 29B. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 10A and 29B; venation, close to 10A and 29B; color becoming closer to 29B subsequent development. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to 9B and 29C; venation, close to 9B and 29C; color becoming closer to 29C with subsequent development.
    • [0061] Sepals.—Quantity per flower and arrangement: Typically two to five per flower arranged in a single whorl. Length: About 4.2 cm. Width: About 2.8 cm. Shape: Obovate. Apex: Rounded and emarginate. Base: Cuneate and truncate. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; semi-glossy. Color: When opening, upper surface: Close to 36A. When opening, lower surface: Close to 36B. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 37C. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to 37D.
    • [0062] Peduncles.—Length: About 11.5 cm. Diameter: About 6 mm. Aspect: Semi-upright. Strength: Moderately strong; flexible. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Color: Close to 152B.
    • [0063] Pedicels.—Length: About 3.3 cm. Diameter: About 2 mm. Aspect: Upright to outwardly. Strength: Moderately strong; flexible. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Color: Close to 145A.
    • [0064] Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity of stamens per flower: About three. Filament length: About 1 cm. Filament color: Close to 12A. Anther length: About 2 mm. Anther shape: Oval. Anther color: Close to 14A. Amount of pollen: None observed. Pistils: Quantity of pistils per flower: Three. Pistil length: About 8 mm. Style length: About 4.5 mm. Style color: Close to 15A. Stigma diameter: About 5 mm. Stigma shape: Curled, bi-lobed. Stigma color: Close to 17C. Ovary color: Close to 145A. Fruits and seeds: To date, fruit and seed development have not been observed on plants of the new Begonia.
• [0065] Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, resistance to pathogens and pests common to Begonia plants has not been observed on plants of the new Begonia.
• [0066] Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Begonia have been observed to tolerate temperatures ranging from about 10° C. to about 35° C.