Seedling # 03-06-07: 'Hot Cocoa' X 'Dragon's Blood'. Few seeds from this cross germinated, and this is the sole survivor of the lot.I can't quite make the photograph reflect the subtleties of hue that the bloom actually possesses; its not just a red, its that odd shade of Chinese red with an overlay of "smoke bush" purple that several of the "brown" roses has. Not even Photoshop can tweak it to accuracy. Oh well.
So, why the title of this post? Because I have been watching this seedling for three years now (pollinated in 2006, germinated in April of 2007) and I've been hoping it might eventually show some vigor and enthusiasm. It hasn't. It has never exceeded 18" tall and prefers to flower rather than build infrastructure. It also tends to die back rather badly even in our mild winters. I can just hear what you're thinking: maybe it just needs to be budded onto stronger roots? Well, yes....odds are that would improve its performance, but Since the rose industry is in such trouble now, I am insisting that any of my selections have to prosper on their own roots. Bud grafting just isn't an option anymore. Distribution of new cultivars may soon be the job of the many small "boutique" and home-grown nurseries, and few (if any) of those nurseries are going to have the ability or the willpower to propagate by bud grafting; it will all fall to propagation by cuttings. I need to pay attention to that, and assume that is where the future of commercial roses lies.
Anyway, it is a remarkable flower when it is doing well, with its 'Pat Austin' shaped cupped blooms and its muted cinnabar hued petals. Its just a shame the damn thing doesn't grow worth a hoot. Maybe it has something to offer as a pollen parent, maybe I'll give that a try next Spring.
Paul, that is a gorgeous rose and a shame it doesn't grow better! I'm not overly surprised, though at the vigor since I've never been impressed with Hot Cocoa; the latter survives for me, but I'd never call it vigorous.
ReplyDeleteI guess it depends on climate and soil, etc. My 'Hot Cocoa' is actually quite impressive as regards vigor and overall performance. As we know, they don't all do well in every garden!
ReplyDeleteYou have an interesting take on the possible future of the rose industry. New introductions from small specialty nurseries might be just what the industry needs.
ReplyDeleteJeff,
ReplyDeleteClearly a business model like J&P isn't ideal anymore, since even Weeks, possibly the most successful of the "big boys", is now experiencing the same problem. You also have to take into account that these large scale producers rely on bud grafting for mass production, and it is harder and harder every year getting people to do that task. Budding on a commercial scale is a brutal chore, and very few people want to learn the skill, let alone work for weeks on their stomach, face down on a tractor drawn cart in the hot sun. It isn't fun!
Well, maybe you should give it a last-try, something like "adopt" now an exclusive Paul Barden rose with your big order of Paul Barden Roses, try in your climate and tell me about it, only for amateur gardeners
ReplyDeleteor you can give cuttings to a rose member clubs for a small fee and permit that this club give the rose to new members for experiment its culture. Several rose associations, newies and many gardeners would be very happy with the possibility of take at your home a unique rose even if its delicate and non reaching the standard industry level. You could want invest a little more if you can save several years of work with this, and in any case is a way to have a quick feedback about how the rose performs in a wide range of climates.
Interesting idea, but I prefer not to allow inferior seedlings out into the public domain. If a rose performs badly here, its not likely to do any better in a different climate. That is my experience, anyway.
ReplyDeletePlease do try it as a parent! The color and form are awesome.
ReplyDelete