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Comment by Timothy on 10th mo. 7, 2012 at 5:21pm

No I have not checked with a botanist. I did have one contact with someone with a bit of knowledge in this area of cross pollination, about six years ago. He told me that nothing is impossible. He said to be sure to find the ones the have large calyx bases, as those are apt to be more fertile and not sterile. Germination is tough, as the rose seeds must go through a month or more of 48—50°f. Then planting in an appropriate medium with a plastic bag over top of the pot/pots, held up off of the plants with twigs or pencils or straws. (A greenhouse effect.) I float test the seeds and the ones that sink, I plant, but even the ones that float I also plant—just in case. But never have had any luck on them germinating and sprouting out as they should.

Yes, I have been this fascinated with roses since 1994. It grew and grew. I love all sorts of them. Old Garden Roses, prior to 1867—the introduction of La France the first Hybrid-Tea, from 1867 to current Modern, wild varieties like Rosa Carolina or Rosa Rugosa etc, there are Hybrid Musk's in the Shrub family as well as others, there are Ramblers like Seven Sisters, Veichenbleu, Excelsa, etc, Miniatures, Ground-cover varieties like The Fairy (Polyantha 1932) and so many. Even Paul Neyron (Hybrid-Perpetual 1869) is considered by some as Modern, but many will still point out it is an older Perpetual and classify it with O.G.Roses.

I have one little pamphlet, but I was successfully gathering seeds before the pamphlet ever arrived. It told of what I was doing, but it also told what to look for in way of calyx bases etc.

I have a lot of Hybrid Setigera or Baltimore Belle (1842) which I could easily dig up lots of and plant without making "cuttings" because its canes arches and where ever they touch the ground, up comes another one. I have at least a dozen to nearly two dozen of them! The could be potted and sold, because of the want for plant patents &c. The oldest rose I have had was probably around circa 1591!

Glad you like this picture!

Comment by William F Rushby on 10th mo. 7, 2012 at 3:31pm

A nice picture!  I was unaware of your interest in roses.  Have you checked with a botanist or plant breeder to see if your proposed hybridization could actually work?

I discovered a few years ago that there are rose enthusiasts who search for rare or now forgotten species of wild roses.  Have you read any of the books published on this subject? 

Comment by Timothy on 10th mo. 7, 2012 at 2:23pm

I love roses. Do you?? I even have tried cross pollination experiments: especially using a repeat blooming parent (like the above Floribunda 'Heaven on Earth') and one or our Moss roses. My concept is simple—to see a repeat blooming Moss/Tea or Moss/Floribunda etc. This one does really well, only I have never gotten the many, many seeds to germinate!

Henri Martin (Moss 1863) is Mauve and has very heavy green moss unopened buds, and I wonder what a successful cross would produce? In way of colours, perhaps striped, or streaked, or maybe blended mauve/apricot-pink. Would the offspring produce mossy unopened buds which would go on to repeat bloom in the Autumn?

Again, thank you for the compliment!

Comment by Zaley Warkentin on 10th mo. 6, 2012 at 9:14pm

Beautiful!