Guzmania plant named ‘GM9309’

[0001] Genus and species: Guzmania hybrid.

[0002] Variety denomination: ‘GM9309’.

[0003] This application claims priority to CPVO application no. 2024/2796 filed on Nov. 26, 2024, which is herein incorporated by reference. The Applicant asserts that no publications or advertisements relating to sales, offers for sale, or public distribution occurred more than one year prior to the effective filing date of this application. Any information about the claimed plant would have been obtained from a direct or indirect disclosure from the Inventor. The Applicant claims a prior art exemption under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1) for disclosures and/or sales that fall within a one-year grace period prior to the filing date.

[0004] The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of Guzmania plant, botanically known as Guzmania hybrid, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘GM9309’. The new Guzmania variety ‘GM9309’ is an F1 hybrid seedling selection which resulted from a controlled pollination breeding program. In May of 2016, the inventor performed the controlled cross-pollination of Guzmania hybrid ‘Depladia’ (U.S. Expired U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,577), the seed parent, and Guzmania wittmackii ‘Pink’ (not patented), the pollen parent, at a commercial greenhouse in Alajuela, Costa Rica. Those skilled in the art recognize that Guzmania seed can be difficult to germinate. Therefore, in September of 2016, the seed that resulted from the cross of May 2016 in Alajuela, Costa Rica were shipped by the inventor to a tissue culture laboratory in Evergem, Belgium for in vitro seed germination to increase the germination rate. At the direction of the inventor, the resulting seedlings were grown for 6 months to evaluate plant vigor and the most vigorous seedlings were then shipped back to Alajuela, Costa Rica for further evaluation by the inventor. In May of 2019, the inventor selected one seedling for further evaluation due to its unique growth habit and flower characteristics. This seedling was further evaluated for several years to confirm the distinctness and stability of the characteristics first observed. Upon confirmation this new and distinctive cultivar was given the name ‘GM9309’.

[0005] The new Guzmania cultivar ‘GM9309’ was first reproduced asexually by meristematic tissue culture in January 2021 at a commercial laboratory in Evergem, Belgium. Asexual propagation by meristematic tissue culture of the new variety has shown that the unique features of the new variety are stable and reproduced true-to-type to date through 14 successive generations.

[0006] The new Guzmania cultivar ‘GM9309’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, light intensity, water status, fertilizer rate and type, without, however, any variance in genotype.

[0007] The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new Guzmania cultivar. The combination of these characteristics distinguishes ‘GM9309’ as a new and distinct variety of Guzmania.

• • [0008] 1. Guzmania ‘GM9309’ exhibits a compact growth habit with a rosette diameter significantly smaller than the seed parent, with shorter, arching leaves forming a symmetrical, well-balanced rosette.
  • [0009] 2. Guzmania ‘GM9309’ exhibits upper bracts that are vivid red with a subtle pink overlay and a glossy surface, maintaining strong coloration under indoor conditions for an extended period.
  • [0010] 3. Guzmania ‘GM9309’ exhibits a central flower spike that is sturdy and remains upright, with white tubular flowers contrasting attractively with the red bracts.
  • [0011] 4. Guzmania ‘GM9309’ exhibits excellent postproduction longevity with bracts that retain color and firmness for several weeks longer than either of its parents.
  • [0012] 5. Guzmania ‘GM9309’ exhibits uniform propagation with plants consistent in size, bract color, and growth habit.

[0016] In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, Sixth Edition, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

[0017] The following observations and measurements describe plants grown in a commercial greenhouse located in Evergem, Belgium. Plants were grown under maximum light levels of approximately 12,000 lux. Plants were maintained with a regular fertigation program and regularly watered with overhead irrigation. Detailed descriptions were taken in November 2025 from 2-year-old plants grown in 10.5-centimeter circular containers. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

• [0018] Classification:
  • • [0019] Family.—Bromeliaceae.
    • [0020] Botanical.—Guzmania hybrid.
    • [0021] Denomination.—‘GM9309’.
• [0022] General description:
  • • [0023] Growth habit.—Perennial; basal rosette, inflorescence grow from the center of the basal rosette.
    • [0024] Overall plant shape.—Flattened globular with inflorescence carried slightly to well above the foliar plane.
    • [0025] Height from soil level to top of foliar plane.—26.0 cm.
    • [0026] Height from soil level to top of floral plane.—29.0 cm.
    • [0027] Plant diameter or area of spread.—50.5 cm.
    • [0028] Growth rate.—Moderate.
    • [0029] Plant vigor.—Moderate.
    • [0030] Branching habit.—Basal branching with no lateral branching.
    • [0031] Propagation type.—Meristematic tissue culture.
    • [0032] Time to produce a finished plant.—Approximately 24 months from tissue culture.
• [0033] Root description:
  • • [0034] General.—Moderately fibrous, non-fleshy.
    • [0035] Length.—Average 5.3 cm.
    • [0036] Width.—Average 0.1 cm.
    • [0037] Color.—N200A (brown).
• [0038] Foliage description:
  • • [0039] Arrangement.—Rosulate.
    • [0040] Division.—Simple.
    • [0041] Quantity of leaves per rosette.—27.
    • [0042] Lamina.—Shape: Ensiform. Length (including sheath): Average 40.0 cm to 45.0 cm. Width: Average 3.7 cm. Aspect: Moderately concave, moderately curled downward, leaf tips are in a near horizontal angle. Apex shape: Acuminate. Base: Sheathing. Sheath length: 6.2 cm. Sheath width 6.1 cm. Sheath color: 160A and 160B (greyed-yellow), veined 185B (greyed-purple) towards the base of the leaf. Undulation: No undulation. Lobes: Unlobed. Texture: Upper surface: Smooth, glabrous. Lower surface: Smooth, glabrous. Rugosity: Non-rugose. Pubescence: Not present. Luster (both upper and lower surfaces): Moderately glossy. Color: Juvenile foliage: Upper surface: 144A (yellow green). Lower surface: 144A (yellow green). Mature foliage: Upper surface: Darker than a blend of 143A and 144A (green to yellow-green). Lower surface: A blend of 144A and 146B (yellow green). Venation: Pattern: Parallel. Color (mature leaves): Upper surface: A blend of 137B and 143A (green), closest to 137B. Lower surface: NN137C (green).
• [0043] Inflorescence description:
  • • [0044] Type and form.—Terminal spike, holding an average of 5 smaller spikes, consisting of an average of 7 individual flowers.
    • [0045] Height.—Average 7.9 cm, excluding peduncle.
    • [0046] Diameter.—Average including bracts, 14.2 cm; average excluding bracts 2.3 cm.
    • [0047] Quantity of flowers.—Average 35.
    • [0048] Quantity of flowers and flower buds per plant.—Average 35.
    • [0049] Natural flowering season.—Continuously.
    • [0050] Time to flower or response time.—6 months.
    • [0051] Flower bud.—Length: Average 1.5 cm. Diameter: 0.25 cm. Shape: Lanceolate. Texture: Smooth and glabrous. Luster: Moderately glossy.
    • [0052] Flower.—Shape: Lanceolate. Aspect: Upright. Habit: Moderate. Fragrance: Not fragrant. Vertical height: Average 0.3 cm. Horizontal diameter: Average 0.25 cm. Length (depth): Average 1.9 cm. Tube texture: Smooth and glabrous. Longevity: Average 4 weeks. Persistence: Persistent.
    • [0053] Petals.—Arrangement: Rotate. Quantity per flower: Average 3. Number of petal whorls: Average 1. Petal fusion: Not fused. Length: Average 0.7 cm. Width: Average 0.2 cm. Shape: Ovate, concave. Tip: Obtuse. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire. Margin undulation: Not undulated. Texture (both upper and lower surfaces): Smooth and glabrous. Rugosity: Non-rugose. Luster (both upper and lower surfaces): Slightly glossy. Color when opening and fully opened: Upper surface: 1D (green-yellow). Lower surface: 154D (yellow-green). Venation: Inconspicuous. Petal color when fading (both upper and lower surfaces): Non-fading. Petaloids: Not present.
    • [0054] Calyx.—Shape: Rotate. Length: Average 1.9 cm. Diameter: 0.3 cm.
    • [0055] Sepals.—Arrangement: Rotate. Quantity per flower: Average 3. Quantity of sepal whorls: 1. Length: Average 1.9 cm. Width: Average 0.3 cm. Sepal fusion: Not fused. Shape: Lanceolate, strongly concave. Apex or tip: Narrow acuminate. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire. Texture (both upper and lower surfaces): Glabrous and smooth. Luster (both upper and lower surfaces): Moderately glossy. Color when opening and fully opened (both upper and lower surfaces): Transparent 155B (white). Sepal spurs: Not present.
    • [0056] Peduncle.—Terminal length: Average 21.2 cm. Terminal diameter: Average 0.8 cm. Angle: Vertical. Strength: Strong. Texture: Smooth and glabrous. Luster: Slightly glossy. Color: A blend of 150D and 157A (yellow-green to green-white).
    • [0057] Bracts.—At the base of each individual flower, a single fertile bract is present. Shape: Oblong, folded around flower. Length: Average 4.2 cm. Width: Average 1.9 cm when unfolded/open. Luster (both sides): Moderately glossy. Margin: Entire. Apex: Bluntly acute. Base: Broadly cuneate. Color (both upper and lower surfaces): 155D (transparent white).
    • [0058] Bracts.—Below each spike of individual flowers, a single bract is present. Shape: Lanceolate. Length (including sheath): Average 9.4 cm. Width: Average 2.9 cm. Luster (both sides): Moderately glossy. Margin: Entire. Apex: Acuminate. Base: Sheathing. Sheath: Length: Average 4.2 cm. Width: Average 4.7 cm. Color: Upper surface: 162D (greyed-yellow). Lower surface: A blend of 151D (yellow-green) and 160A (greyed-yellow), fading to 161A and 162A (greyed-yellow) near the base. Lower bract color: Upper surface: 53A (red), fading to 143A (green) near the top and tipped with 183B (greyed-purple). Lower surface: 53C (red), fading to 143A (green) at the top and tipped 183B (greyed-purple). Upper bract color: Upper surface: A blend of 145C and 150D (yellow-green), fading to a transparent 157D (green-white) towards the margins and tipped with 53A (red). Lower surface: 150C (yellow-green), fading to a transparent 157D (green-white) towards the margins and tipped N45C (red).
    • [0059] Reproductive organs.—Quantity of stamens per flower: 6. Filament: Length: Average 0.4 cm. Color: 155C (white). Anther: Shape: Dorsifixed, narrow sagittate. Length: Average 0.3 cm. Width: Average 0.1 cm. Color: 155A (white). Pollen amount: None observed. Pistil: Quantity: 1. Length: Average 0.4 cm. Stigma: Shape: Cleft; 3 parted, stigmas fringed. Length: Average 0.1 cm. Diameter: Average 0.1 cm. Color: 155C (white). Style: Length: Average 0.3 cm. Color: 155D (white). Ovary color: 160C (greyed-yellow).
• [0060] Temperature tolerances: USDA Zones 10 to 13; at least tolerant of temperatures to 40 degrees Celsius.
• [0061] Rain tolerance: High.
• [0062] Wind tolerance: High.
• [0063] Disease and pest tolerance: No claims are made to any superior disease or insect resistance or tolerance.

[0064] The new Guzmania cultivar ‘GM9309’ can be distinguished from its seed parent Guzmania ‘Depladia’ in the following characteristics described in Table 1 below.

[0065]

TABLE 1
Characteristic	‘GM9309’	‘Depladia’
Plant height (including	Approx. 45.0 cm	Approx. 35.0 cm
inflorescence)	to 50.0 cm	to 40.0 cm
Plant habit	Upright and open,	Upright and
	with arching leaves	compact
Leaf length	Approx. 40.0 cm to	Approx. 30.0 cm
	45.0 cm	to 35.0 cm
Leaf width	3.5 cm to 4.0 cm	3.0 cm to 3.5 cm
Leaf color (upper surface)	143A and 144A (green	137C (medium
	to yellow-green)	green)
Bract shape	Elongated, lanceolate	Broad, ovate
Bract color (upper bracts)	45A (red)	9A (bright yellow)
Bract arrangement	Erect and vertically	Open and spreading
	layered
Inflorescence height	20.0 cm to 25.0 cm	15.0 cm to 20.0 cm
above rosette
Flower color	155C (creamy white)	11D (pale yellow)

[0066] The new Guzmania cultivar ‘GM9309’ can be distinguished from its pollen parent Guzmania wittmackii ‘Pink’ in the following characteristics described in Table 2 below.

[0067]

TABLE 2
Characteristic	‘GM9309’	‘Pink’
Plant height (including	Approx. 45.0 cm	Approx. 60.0 cm
inflorescence)	to 50.0 cm	to 70.0 cm
Plant habit	Upright and open,	Tall and upright
	with arching leaves
Leaf length	Approx. 40.0 cm to	Approx. 55.0 cm
	45.0 cm	to 60.0 cm
Leaf width	3.5 cm to 4.0 cm	4.0 cm to 4.5 cm
Leaf color (upper surface)	143A and 144A (green	137A (dark green)
	to yellow-green)
Bract shape	Elongated, lanceolate	Narrow, elongated
Bract color (upper bracts)	45A (red)	52B (soft pink)
Bract arrangement	Erect and vertically	More open and
	layered	spreading
Inflorescence height	20.0 cm to 25.0 cm	30.0 cm to 35.0 cm
above rosette
Flower color	155C (creamy white)	155B (white)
Overall appearance	Compact plant habit	Taller plant habit
	with vivid red bracts	with soft pink bracts

[0068] The new Guzmania cultivar ‘GM9309’ can be distinguished from the related known variety of Guzmania ‘Eden’ (unpatented) in the following characteristics described in Table 3 below.

[0069]

TABLE 3
Characteristic	‘GM9309’	‘Eden’
Plant habit	Upright and open with	More compact and
	arching leaves	symmetrical
Leaf length	Longer leaves, approx.	Shorter leaves, approx.
	40.0 cm to 45.0 cm	30.0 to 35.0 cm
Leaf width	Moderately broad, 3.5	Slightly narrower,
	cm to 4.0 cm	3.0 cm to 3.5 cm
Leaf color (upper	143A and 144A (green	137C (bright green)
surface)	to yellow-green)
Bract shape	Elongated, lanceolate	Shorter and more
		rounded
Bract color (upper	45A (red)	52B (pinkish red)
bracts)
Bract arrangement	More erect and layered	More open and
	vertically	spreading
Inflorescence height	20.0 cm to 25.0 cm	15.0 cm to 20.0 cm
above rosette	above rosette
Flower color	155C (creamy white)	11D (pale yellow)
Overall appearance	Tall, elegant plant with	Compact, balanced
	vivid red bracts and dark	plant with lighter
	green foliage	bracts and foliage