Just a question/idea that popped into my head while reading another thread…
Is anyone trying to incorporate chlorophyll in the petals (‘Greensleeves’,‘Green Diamond’) into their mauve breeding programs? I would imagine that the greenish background might make the mauve look more blue.
If I didn’t have way too many other plans already, I’d try this one myself.
That would be interesting, although–
I don’t know how the mechanisms to that will work…
One thing is that one needs to find a rose that will consistantly pass the clorophyll trait… and whatever trait that gives a rose a bluish color.
Brandy, Marilyn Monroe, Freedom, Pretty Lady, St’ Patrick can pass on this trait.
So does 'Greensleeves’and it works as seed parent.
I find this trait unattractive. The blossoms often look unattractive after a time as they refuse to shatter.
I can see the value of this trait when breeding for extended shelf life in greenhouse varieties.
Greensleeves blossoms hang on a long time and get very aged looking.
The stamens go dark and ugly. It only looks good when new.
Also aphids are attracted to the chlorophyll in the petals.