I put that name in double quotes because its not a species, but a hybrid between two species: R. soulieana and R. foliolosa. The idea here is to create something entirely new and distinct, using two diploid species with excellent hardiness and vigor. With luck, these seedlings will not suffer from the typical fungal disease either; the elimination of disease is a major goal for me now. Not disease tolerance, something the plants can live with and still survive, but something closer to true immunity. I have spent the Summer digging out and discarding numerous "collectible" Hybrid Teas and Shrubs that simply will not thrive without chemical intervention. My patience has run out: I don't want to grow any more "life support roses". (Today, 'Dame Edith Helen's head is on the chopping block. It is likely that 'Papageno' is next: off with their heads!)The seedling's foliage is fragrant when touched, giving off a combined scent of Frankincense and Raspberries! It is pretty clear that this one is going to be vigorous and a semi-climbing plant, whereas its sibling more closely resembles its R. foliolosa parent, remaining more shrubby. No flowers yet, but then I don't expect to see any till next Spring. There is always the possibility that this cross (I have two seedlings, this is just one) will not have fertility to breed another generation, but I have a hunch it will be. I have another hybrid that is a diploid breeder (42-03-02) out of Moore's 0-47-19 (R. wichurana X 'Floradora'), crossed with an R. rugosa hybrid, which will have the ability to pass on remontancy while remaining a diploid. I'm trying to avoid getting into triploid territory for now, just to make things easier to deal with.
I will post photos of the 42-03-02 X R. rugosa seedling soon. It shows considerable Rugosa influence in its foliage.
I love hearing about species crosses, and the fragrant foliage sounds exciting.
ReplyDeleteI love the direction you've taken your breeding Paul. It's inspiring!
ReplyDeleteThank you both :-)
ReplyDeleteNice looking shrub and kudos for the direction you are heading in. I stopped chemical intervention in my home garden close to ten years ago and quite a few roses had to go. But others actually built up their own immunity over time.
ReplyDeleteMr. Z,
ReplyDeleteI am specifically removing cultivars that are over 8 years old now, and which have shown little or no inclination to improve their resistance to disease. Anything that can remain presentable without chronic use of chemicals can stay. Its shocking how few of the older HTs and Floribundas meet those criteria!
>>>>giving off a combined scent of Frankincense and Raspberries<<<<
ReplyDeleteYUM. Congratulations!
Paul,
ReplyDeleteAlways mentoring, again thank you! Might you make a list of keepers/discards and use it for a future RHA article? I think it would be helpful to everyone as to which varieties to use or avoid in developing new varieties. I am old enough to remember the '50's well and during that time, the use of chemicals reigned supreme. Also, the emphasis on roses was strictly the flower and new colors and the floribundas were still in the early stages of development so anything "different yet pleasing" was pushed to market. Disease resistance was not a criteria since everybody was taught to spray, spray, spray.
Jim
Jim,
ReplyDeleteOffering people a list of roses that survived in my garden without chemical assistance is problematic, since, as you know, disease resistance is regional for many varieties. In fact, I have certain cultivars planted in 2 or even 3 other locations here on the farm and in one spot, a variety might be tragically Blackspot prone, while only a hundred feet away, in a different lighting/soil environment, the same rose may be flourishing with nothing but an occasional watering.
True, some varieties will be troubled by disease no matter where they are grown, but its very difficult to say that "Cultivar X" is guaranteed to be a failure in Tennessee or New York, just as badly as it is here. I'm very cautious about making such a list when I know perfectly well that some roses on my list of good ones will be on someone else's list of chronically ill Prima Donnas.
True Paul, disease resistance is local. Wasn't thinking clearly. Thanks for your comments.
ReplyDeleteJim