A New Darkish Red Grafting Cactus (Gymnocalycium mihanovichii) Cultivar, “Seolhong”

Abstract

A new grafting cactus (Gymnocalycium mihanovichii) cultivar ‘Seolhong’ was developed by the National Horticultural Research Institute, Rural Development Administration in 1999. In spite of the requirement of the diverse colors of G. mihanovichii cultivars due to the diverse preference of consumers in world-wide, most of the prevalent domestic cultivars are red, and also they have shortage in transportation and disease resistance. In order to make up for those weak points, total of 400 seeds produced from crossing between ‘IG9322’ and ‘IG9329’ were sown in vitro in 1996. Successfully germinated 86 seedlings grafted onto Hylocereus trigonus in vitro were cultured. After 180 days those were acclimatized in glasshouse. In 1997, 9 lines were preliminary selected by their performance such as globe and tubercle color, shape, rib and spine characteristics, and growth vigor. And finally line code 950521 $V_3$ was selected with their uniformity and excellence in color, shape and growth vigor. The selected line was named as ‘Seolhong’. The cultivar was applied for a variety protection and was released to commercial growers by auction in 2000. Characteristics of “Seolhong” were as follows: The body and the tubercles were all darkish red color. Shape was flat round. The cultivar had 8 to 9 deep ribs with strong image. Brown-colored spines were short and straight with white flocks on areola. Increasement of the diameter of the body globe was faster than that of cv. ‘Blackruby’ as to reach 27.7 mm 10 months after planting. Propagation ability was excellent as to set as many as 13.4 tubercles. Characteristics of this cultivar can be maintained by vegetative propagation and cultivators should pay attention to protection from strong sun light and virus infection.

Keywords

• Gymnocalycium mihanovichii;
• Hylocereus trigonus;
• Breeding;
• Grafting cactus;
• Variety protection