A breeding program was initiated at the University of Florida in Gainesville in 2007 with the aim of developing sterile cultivars of Ruellia in different flower colors and growth habits. Breeding methods used include hybridizations, polyploidization, and induction of mutations. Fifteen breeding lines of Ruellia were selected in 2011 after greenhouse trials and a preliminary early spring field trial was performed at Wimauma, FL. These lines were propagated vegetatively and transplanted in the field using a randomized complete block design with three replications and three plants per replicate at Northwestern Florida (Quincy), North central Florida (Citra), and Southeastern Florida (Fort Pierce). Plants were evaluated monthly for a period of 24 weeks for landscape value, flowering and fruiting. Three breeding lines have been selected for cultivar release: purple ‘R10-102’, semi-dwarf pink ‘R10-105’ and white ‘R10-108’. These lines have significantly better landscape performance and flowering than the existing commercial cultivars, and less or no invasive potential from seed production. These will be released and commercialized in early 2013. Additionally, other Ruellia breeding lines and low-maintenance foliage and flowering lines developed at the breeding program are currently in commercial trials.
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